NFC Glucometer Charge Lockout for Accurate Low-Battery Readings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blood glucose meters often fail to operate due to insufficient voltage and charge, leading to false measurement values when the energy storage unit is depleted, which can compromise the accuracy of blood glucose level monitoring in diabetes management.
Innovation Solution
A medical device equipped with a measurement unit, energy storage unit, internal NFC antenna, energy supply unit, and charge control unit that prevents measurements from being taken when the charge is below a minimum threshold, using a communication unit to alert the user and ensuring accurate readings by blocking the measurement process until sufficient charge is available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the energy storage unit is used to power the blood glucose meter, then the device can operate portably and conveniently, but the voltage and charge may become insufficient leading to false measurement values
Solution Approach 1:
The charge control unit performs preliminary detection of the energy storage unit's charge level before the measurement process begins. When the charge is insufficient, the system proactively blocks the measurement operation and prompts the user to recharge, preventing false measurements caused by low voltage/charge conditions before they occur.
2Ease of operation
If the measurement process is allowed to proceed regardless of charge level, then the device remains simple to operate, but false measurement values occur when energy is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The charge control unit continuously monitors the charge level of the energy storage unit and provides feedback to the control unit. When the charge falls below a threshold, the system sends a prompt signal to the display unit informing the user of insufficient charge, and the measurement operation is automatically blocked, preventing inaccurate readings.
3Ease of operation
If NFC charging is implemented to recharge the energy storage unit, then the device can be conveniently recharged without external power, but the charging efficiency may be insufficient to provide adequate charge for measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the charge level before allowing measurement operations. When NFC charging is used and the charge becomes insufficient, the system proactively blocks the measurement and prompts the user to recharge, ensuring that measurements are only performed when sufficient charge is available, thus maintaining measurement accuracy despite limited charging efficiency.
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 device ensures accurate blood glucose measurements by preventing operations when the charge is insufficient, thereby avoiding false readings and maintaining reliable glycemic control.
Implementation Method 1
the energy supply unit controls the NFC antenna such that in the presence of an electromagnetic field of a pre-defined frequency range energy is withdrawn from the electromagnetic field surrounding the NFC antenna and stored in the energy storage unit
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure refers to a medical device comprising a measurement unit adapted to measure a value of a physiological parameter, for example a blood glucose level, an energy storage unit providing energy supply for the measurement unit, an NFC antenna, an energy supply unit that controls the NFC antenna such that in the presence of an electromagnetic field of a pre-defined frequency range energy is withdrawn from the electromagnetic field surrounding the NFC antenna and stored in the energy storage unit, a charge control unit adapted to determine the electric charge contained in the energy storage unit, and a communication unit adapted to output a pre-defined visible, audible and/or tactile signal if the electric charge contained in the energy storage unit determined by the charge control unit is equal to or below a pre-defined minimum charge value.