Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery With Multi-Sensor Pump Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing diabetes effectively is challenging due to inaccurate insulin delivery methods, blood glucose monitoring, and the risk of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, which can lead to severe health complications.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop or partially closed-loop system that includes a continuous glucose monitor, an infusion pump, and a controller that uses various sensors (such as acoustic volume sensors, accelerometers, and temperature sensors) to automatically adjust insulin delivery based on real-time data from multiple sources, ensuring precise blood glucose level management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual insulin delivery rates are used based on patient calculations, then the system is simple to operate, but the delivery accuracy and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously monitoring blood glucose levels via sensor and automatically adjusting insulin delivery rates based on real-time glucose data. The controller receives glucose level information and modulates the pump accordingly, creating a feedback control system that eliminates manual calculation errors and improves delivery accuracy without requiring patient expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by autonomously determining and executing insulin delivery decisions without human intervention. The controller automatically processes sensor data, calculates required insulin amounts, and activates the pump based on pre-programmed algorithms and safety parameters, freeing the patient from complex manual management while maintaining precise control.
2Reliability
If automated closed-loop control is implemented, then insulin delivery accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple previously separate components into an integrated automated system: the glucose sensor, controller with decision algorithms, and insulin pump are combined into a coordinated unit. This integration allows seamless data flow and automated control while reducing the need for separate manual devices and procedures, improving reliability through unified operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical processes (patient calculating, manually adjusting pump settings, finger-stick glucose monitoring) with automated electronic and sensor-based systems. The controller uses electronic algorithms to process sensor signals and automatically modulate the pump, substituting human cognitive and manual operations with automated control mechanisms that enhance reliability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used for comprehensive monitoring, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it processes data from the glucose sensor, executes control algorithms, communicates with the pump, and implements safety monitoring. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve comprehensive monitoring and control using a single integrated controller rather than requiring separate dedicated devices for each function, reducing overall system complexity.
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
This system enhances the accuracy and safety of insulin delivery, reducing the risk of complications by providing a more precise and automated method to maintain healthy blood glucose levels, thereby improving the quality of life for diabetic patients.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor further includes an acoustic volume sensor
Implementation Method 2
The motor includes at least one shape-memory actuator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system for at least partial closed-loop control of a medical condition is disclosed. The system includes at least one medical fluid pump. The medical fluid pump including a sensor for determining the volume of fluid pumped by the pump. Also, at least one continuous analyte monitor, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the medical fluid pump and the at least one continuous analyte monitor. The controller includes a processor. The processor includes instructions for delivery of medical fluid based at least on data received from the at least one continuous analyte monitor.