Microneedle Diabetes Sensor with Reverse Iontophoresis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulin injection devices cause pain and increase the risk of infection due to their needle tube structure, and they lack effective closed-loop control systems for real-time glucose monitoring and insulin injection.
Innovation Solution
A diabetes sensor with a microneedle array and electrochemical sensor, combined with a closed-loop control system that includes a pump and signal conversion module, allows for real-time glucose monitoring and insulin injection based on blood glucose levels, using a substrate with a microneedle array and electrodes for detecting glucose and a reverse iontophoresis device to enhance glucose detection accuracy and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional needle tube structure is used for insulin injection, then insulin delivery function is achieved, but pain feeling and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional single large needle is segmented into multiple microneedles (1-1000 microneedles per array), each with diameter 1-100 micrometers. This segmentation reduces the pain and infection risk associated with traditional needle injections while maintaining effective insulin delivery capability through the collective action of multiple micro-penetration points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical needle penetration system with a hybrid system combining microneedles and reverse iontophoresis. The reverse iontophoresis device uses electrical current to enhance glucose detection and insulin delivery, reducing reliance on deep mechanical penetration and thereby reducing pain and infection risk.
2Ease of operation
If microneedle array is used to reduce pain, then injection comfort improves, but glucose detection accuracy may be compromised due to limited interstitial fluid access
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse iontophoresis device acts as an intermediary mechanism that uses electrical current to actively transport interstitial fluid containing glucose to the microneedle tips. This mediator overcomes the limitation of passive diffusion, ensuring sufficient glucose availability for accurate detection while maintaining the comfort benefits of microneedles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive mechanical reliance on interstitial fluid diffusion with active electrical transport via reverse iontophoresis. This substitution ensures consistent glucose delivery to the sensor surface, maintaining detection accuracy despite the shallow penetration depth of microneedles.
3Measurement precision
If reverse iontophoresis device is added to enhance glucose detection, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reverse iontophoresis device, electrochemical sensor, and microneedle array into a single integrated platform. The electrodes serve dual functions for both reverse iontophoresis (insulin delivery) and electrochemical sensing (glucose detection), reducing overall device complexity despite the advanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure serves multiple functions: it acts as the working electrode for glucose detection, the counter electrode for reverse iontophoresis, and potentially the reference electrode. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, managing device complexity while enabling advanced features.
4Reliability
If closed-loop control system is implemented for real-time monitoring and insulin injection, then diabetes management effectiveness improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closed-loop control system continuously monitors interstitial glucose levels via the electrochemical sensor and automatically adjusts insulin delivery through the reverse iontophoresis device. This feedback mechanism improves diabetes management effectiveness by maintaining glucose levels within target ranges, with the controller processing sensor signals and actuating the pump accordingly.
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
The system improves the comfort of insulin injection by reducing pain and infection risk, while enabling precise and real-time glucose monitoring and insulin delivery, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of glucose detection and insulin administration.
Implementation Method 1
the electrochemical sensor being configured to detect glucose molecules in interstitial fluid and generate an electric signal
Implementation Method 2
the reverse iontophoresis device being configured to generate a reverse iontophoresis effect to attract the glucose molecules from a deep skin layer to an upper part of dermis where needle tips of the microneedle are located
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a diabetes sensor, a method for manufacturing the diabetes sensor, and a closed-loop control system. The diabetes sensor includes a substrate, a microneedle array arranged on one side of the substrate, and a plurality of electrodes covering the microneedle array and the substrate, wherein the microneedle array includes a plurality of microneedles; and the plurality of electrodes includes an electrochemical sensor and a reverse iontophoresis device; the electrochemical sensor being configured to detect glucose molecules in interstitial fluid and generate an electrical signal; and the reverse iontophoresis device being configured to generate a reverse iontophoresis effect to attract glucose molecules in a deep skin layer to an upper part of dermis where needle tips of the microneedles are located.