Multi-Element Analyte Sensor for Wide-Range Measurement Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional continuous analyte sensors face challenges in achieving accurate measurements across a physiologically relevant range, often sacrificing accuracy in low-analyte-concentration environments to maintain accuracy in high-analyte-concentration environments, and vice versa.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system comprising multiple sensor elements, each designed to measure analyte concentrations in different ranges with distinct characteristics, such as sensitivity and membrane properties, allowing for accurate measurements across a wide physiological range by selectively using data from each element based on parameters like oxygen concentration and time since implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor sensitivity is increased to detect low analyte concentrations, then measurement precision in low concentration range is improved, but reliability in high concentration range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is segmented into multiple elements with different sensitivity profiles. The first sensor element is designed with higher sensitivity for low concentration detection, while the second sensor element is designed with lower sensitivity appropriate for high concentration measurement, eliminating the need to compromise either range with a single element
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which sensor element's data to use based on the current glucose concentration level. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to automatically switch between elements with appropriate sensitivity characteristics, maintaining reliability across the full concentration range without manual intervention
2Device complexity
If a single sensor element is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision across the full physiological range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by using multiple sensor elements with different characteristics, each optimized for specific portions of the physiological range. This segmentation improves overall measurement precision across the full range despite the increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system achieves multi-functionality by combining multiple sensor elements that collectively cover the entire physiological glucose range. The system can function as both a low-concentration detector and a high-concentration detector simultaneously, providing universal accuracy across all clinically relevant levels
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 achieves high accuracy in both low and high glucose concentration ranges, with measurements within +/-20% of true values 80% of the time for over 7 days, using a combination of sensor elements with different sensitivities and membrane properties to manage analyte-related and non-analyte-related signals.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochemical sensors are useful in chemistry and medicine to determine the presence or concentration of a biological analyte
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods are provided for continuous measurement of an analyte concentration. The device can include a sensor having a plurality of sensor elements, each having at least one characteristic that is different from other sensor(s) of the device. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensor elements are each tuned to measure a different range of analyte concentration, thereby providing the device with the capability of achieving a substantially consistent level of measurement accuracy across a physiologically relevant range. In other embodiments, the device includes a plurality of sensor elements each tuned to measure during different time periods after insertion or implantation, thereby providing the sensor with the capability to continuously and accurately measure analyte concentrations across a wide range of time periods. For example, a sensor system 180 is provided having a first working electrode 150 comprising a first sensor element 102 and a second working electrode 160 comprising a second sensor element 104, and a reference electrode 108 for providing a reference value for measuring the working electrode potential of the sensor elements 102, 104.