Integrated Insulin Cannula and Glucose Sensor with In-Line Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulin delivery devices and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems require separate devices, leading to device burden, discomfort, and interference from insulin preservatives, and lack durability for long-term use.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a glucose sensor with the insulin cannula using osmium-based redox mediators and durable construction with laminated metal foils, combined with an in-line filter to remove preservatives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate CGM sensor and insulin pump cannula are used, then each device can function independently, but device burden increases and patient comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the CGM sensor and insulin pump cannula into a single integrated device. The sensor is positioned within the cannula structure, allowing both glucose monitoring and insulin delivery functions to coexist in one implantable device, thereby reducing device burden while maintaining functional independence through modular design
2Device complexity
If the CGM sensor is placed near the insulin pump cannula site, then device complexity is reduced, but insulin preservatives interfere with sensor accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes insulin preservatives from the formulation before delivery to the sensor site. A filtration system is incorporated that selectively removes preservative compounds while allowing insulin and glucose to pass through, thereby eliminating the interference problem while maintaining the integrated device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a filtration membrane as an intermediary between the insulin reservoir and the sensor site. This membrane acts as a selective barrier that allows glucose and insulin to pass while blocking preservative molecules, thus mediating the interaction between the insulin delivery system and the glucose sensor to prevent measurement interference
3Manufacturing precision
If thin film electrodes are used in the sensor, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the sensor electrodes, combining thin film electrode layers with supportive substrate materials and protective coatings. This composite structure maintains the manufacturing precision benefits of thin films while adding mechanical strength and durability through the composite architecture, enabling long-term implantable operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous glucose monitoring at the insulin delivery site with minimal interference and improved durability, reducing device burden and maintaining accurate glucose readings over time.
Implementation Method 1
Integration of a glucose sensor with the insulin cannula using osmium-based redox mediators
Implementation Method 2
combined with an in-line filter to remove preservatives
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method comprising: (a) positioning an insulin delivery device on a body of a subject via a single puncture site in said body of said subject; (b) using said insulin delivery device to deliver an insulin or insulin analog formulation to said subject via said single puncture site; and (c) using a sensor of said insulin delivery device to measure a glucose concentration in said body of said subject via said single puncture site, wherein (b) and (c) are performed at substantially the same time for a time period of at least 1 hour subsequent to said positioning in (a), while maintaining a sensitivity of said sensor of at least 50% of an initial sensitivity of said sensor.