Overtape Patch Alignment for Glucose Sensor Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional adhesive tape and patch designs for glucose monitoring devices are difficult for patients to handle, prone to misplacement, and result in inadequate coverage, impacting therapy duration.

Innovation Solution

Adhesive patches with features such as central holes, geometric cut-outs, tactile and visual aids, and preformed shapes to facilitate easy maneuverability and alignment, providing tactile and visual feedback for proper device adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional adhesive tape and patch designs are used, then the device can be applied to skin, but the device is difficult for patients to handle and prone to misplacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handlingVSAvoidplacement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary alignment mechanism between the adhesive patch and the sensor device. The alignment features (cutouts, windows, tabs) serve as a mediator that guides the patch into correct positioning during application, making the system easier to handle while ensuring accurate placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements visual and tactile feedback mechanisms through alignment features such as transparent windows revealing underlying skin patterns, geometric cutouts providing tactile guidance, and alignment tabs that give sensory feedback during application. This feedback loop enables patients to self-correct positioning errors, improving both ease of operation and placement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Area of stationary object

If conventional adhesive tape and patch designs are used, then the device can be applied to skin, but the coverage is inadequate and therapy duration is impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidtherapy duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by designing the adhesive patch with pre-defined alignment features and extended coverage areas before application. The alignment cutouts and windows are pre-positioned to guide correct placement, while the patch geometry is pre-engineered to provide adequate coverage margins, ensuring both sufficient coverage area and extended therapy duration from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If alignment features are added to the adhesive patch, then handling and alignment are facilitated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment easeVSAvoidpatch structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the adhesive patch into functional zones: adhesive regions, alignment features (cutouts, windows, tabs), and coverage areas. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while improving alignment ease. The modular nature of these segmented features makes them easy to manufacture and assemble.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250248654A1Overtape designs for devices such as glucose sensors

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 MEDTRONIC MINIMED INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention provide skin adhesive patches designed to ease a diabetic patient's maneuverability and alignment of a glucose sensing device as the patient adheres the device to their skin. Embodiments of the invention can be adapted for use with a wide variety of medical components that are coupled to the skin of patients, including insulin infusion sets, patch pumps, and all-in-one patch sets.