Opto-enzymatic Sensor for Continuous Glucose Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current analyte monitoring methods for diabetic patients are invasive, painful, and inconvenient, requiring frequent blood draws and sample preparation, and lack the necessary sensitivity, selectivity, and stability for continuous glucose monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A continuous health monitoring system incorporating a laminate optical analyte sensor with a controller and analysis engine that uses visible light to transduce interstitial analyte concentrations, communicating with a knowledge base and activity sensors for real-time data analysis and alarm generation, eliminating the need for blood draws and providing stable, repeatable measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional blood draw methods are used for glucose monitoring, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but patient comfort and compliance deteriorate due to pain and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle-based blood draw system with an optical sensing system. The opto-enzymatic sensor uses light interaction with enzymatic reactions in interstitial fluid to measure glucose, eliminating the need for mechanical puncture and blood collection, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and patient comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary opto-enzymatic sensing system that indirectly measures glucose through optical detection of enzymatic reactions in interstitial fluid, rather than directly extracting blood. This intermediary approach maintains measurement capability while eliminating the harmful mechanical blood draw process
2Reliability
If frequent blood sampling is performed to ensure continuous monitoring, then data completeness improves, but patient burden and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring by having the opto-enzymatic sensor continuously interact with interstitial fluid through optical interrogation, eliminating the discrete, intermittent nature of blood draws. The sensor continuously transduces glucose information optically, providing uninterrupted data without requiring repeated patient actions
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs self-service by automatically continuously measuring glucose through optical detection of interstitial fluid, eliminating the need for patient participation in repeated sampling. The system autonomously maintains continuous monitoring without requiring patient time or effort for each measurement
3Ease of operation
If optical interrogation is used for non-invasive monitoring, then patient comfort improves, but measurement sensitivity and selectivity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite opto-enzymatic sensor structure combining optical waveguides with enzymatic reaction layers. This composite design allows non-invasive optical interrogation while maintaining high sensitivity through the specific enzymatic recognition of glucose, resolving the contradiction between non-invasive operation and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor uses local quality enhancement by concentrating the optical interaction at the sensor-tissue interface where the enzymatic reaction occurs. The optical waveguide is positioned to maximize interaction with interstitial fluid at the measurement site, ensuring high sensitivity and selectivity specifically at the detection location while maintaining overall non-invasive operation
4Reliability
If stable sensor performance is achieved through complex sensor design, then measurement reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor into distinct functional layers: optical waveguide components, enzymatic reaction layers, and protective encapsulation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while contributing to overall stability, managing complexity through modular functional decomposition rather than a monolithic complex structure
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
Enables continuous, non-invasive monitoring of glucose levels, improving patient compliance and clinical outcomes by providing real-time data analysis and alarm generation, reducing the burden of frequent blood sampling and enhancing the accuracy and reliability of glucose monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor that transduces an interstitial analyte concentration to a measure and communicates the measure when interrogated with visible light
Implementation Method 2
optical enzymatic analyte sensors
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments described herein pertain to optical sensors, systems and methods for continuous glucose monitoring. In some embodiments, methods of preparing a layered optical sensor are disclosed. The optical sensor can be formed by laminating a plurality of sheets together to form a final sensor. In some embodiments, the sensor tip comprises a oxygen conduit, an enzymatic layer, and an sensing layer. In some embodiments, the sensor includes a plurality of waveguides configured to direct light to and from a target material, such as an oxygen sensing polymer. Systems are also disclosed for an adhesive system for attaching an optical sensor-transmitter system. Methods and systems are also disclosed for a sensor inserter system. The inserter can include a lancet tip that includes a convex feature attached to a first surface of the lancet tip.