Integrated Insulin Delivery With Continuous Glucose Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Diabetic patients face challenges in managing their glucose levels due to the lack of continuous monitoring and the inconvenience of traditional blood glucose testing, leading to delayed detection of hyper- or hypo-glycemic conditions and increased risk of dangerous side effects.

Innovation Solution

An integrated system comprising a continuous glucose sensor, an electronics module, and an insulin delivery device that automatically adjusts insulin therapy based on internally derived data and programmable glucose boundaries, enabling continuous glucose monitoring and insulin delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement frequency is insufficient and delayed detection of glucose abnormalities occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglucose monitoring frequencyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a continuous glucose sensor with an insulin delivery device into an integrated system. The sensor continuously monitors glucose levels in interstitial fluid, and this data is automatically transmitted to the insulin pump controller, which adjusts insulin delivery based on glucose readings. This merging eliminates the need for separate manual blood glucose testing and insulin dosing calculations, achieving continuous monitoring while managing system complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated system enables automated insulin delivery based on continuous glucose sensor data. The controller automatically calculates and adjusts insulin pump settings without requiring manual intervention for each dosing decision. The system self-regulates by continuously monitoring glucose levels and autonomously adjusting insulin delivery, reducing the burden on the user while maintaining high monitoring frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual insulin therapy decisions are made by the patient, then the device complexity is low, but user error increases and timely insulin adjustment is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulin therapy accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements closed-loop feedback control where the continuous glucose sensor provides real-time glucose level data to the controller, which then adjusts insulin pump delivery based on this feedback. The controller compares actual glucose levels with target ranges and automatically modifies insulin dosing accordingly. This feedback mechanism eliminates manual calculation errors and ensures timely insulin adjustments by continuously monitoring and responding to glucose changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller automatically performs insulin dosing calculations and adjustments based on continuous glucose sensor data, eliminating the need for manual patient decisions. The system autonomously interprets glucose trends, determines appropriate insulin doses, and adjusts pump settings without user intervention, thereby improving therapy accuracy while managing complexity through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If continuous glucose monitoring is implemented, then the detection timeliness is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection delayVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the continuous glucose sensor, receiver, and insulin pump into a single coordinated system. The sensor continuously measures glucose in interstitial fluid, and the receiver automatically receives and processes this data. The integrated controller then uses this information to adjust insulin delivery without requiring separate manual steps, achieving continuous monitoring with minimal user burden and managed complexity through system integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver acts as an intermediary between the continuous glucose sensor and the insulin pump controller. It receives data from the sensor, processes the information, and transmits control signals to the pump. This intermediary component simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a dedicated communication and processing layer, managing complexity while enabling continuous monitoring and automated insulin delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12397113B2Integrated insulin delivery system with continuous glucose sensor
Publication Date: 2025.08.26 DEXCOM INC
  • US12397113B2 patent drawing
  • US12397113B2 patent drawing
  • US12397113B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for integrating a continuous glucose sensor 12, including a receiver 14, a medicament delivery device 16, a controller module, and optionally a single point glucose monitor 18 are provided. Integration may be manual, semi-automated and/or fully automated.