Pre-Connected Analyte Sensor Assembly for Reliable Electrical Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional glucose monitoring methods for diabetes patients, such as SMBG, are inconvenient and infrequent, leading to delayed detection of hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic conditions, and continuous glucose monitoring systems are cumbersome and require uncomfortable finger pricking.

Innovation Solution

A system featuring a pre-connected analyte sensor with a sensor carrier that facilitates temporary and permanent electrical connections, includes an identifier, and is designed for easy integration with manufacturing and wearable devices, enabling efficient handling and data tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional SMBG methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement frequency and reliability deteriorate due to infrequent monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglucose monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is segmented into a simple wearable sensor component and a separate processing/display device, allowing continuous monitoring without requiring complex integrated systems. The sensor can be used standalone with basic functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A receiver device acts as an intermediary between the simple sensor and the user, handling complex data processing, calibration, and display functions externally while keeping the wearable sensor itself simple and comfortable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to uncomfortable finger pricking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglucose level detection accuracyVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The painful finger pricking function is extracted and replaced with an alternative sampling method. The sensor obtains glucose measurements through non-invasive or minimally invasive means such as interstitial fluid sampling, eliminating the need for repeated finger pricks while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If sensor carrier with permanent connections is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection alignmentVSAvoidsensor assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Electrical connections are pre-established between the sensor electrodes and the carrier contacts during sensor fabrication. This preliminary action ensures precise alignment and reliable electrical connectivity before the sensor is assembled into the final device, simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If temporary mechanical connections are used during manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to alignment inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor assembly easeVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is pre-assembled with its electrical connections established to the carrier before integration into the monitoring system. This preliminary assembly ensures reliable electrical connectivity is achieved before final device assembly, maintaining both manufacturing ease and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4725401A2Pre-connected analyte sensors
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 DEXCOM INC
  • EP4725401A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4725401A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4725401A2 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A system (101) for measuring an analyte concentration in a host comprises a transcutaneous analyte sensor (138); a bottom housing (522); a top housing (520); and sensor electronics (112) configured to connect to the transcutaneous analyte sensor (138). The sensor electronics (112) are configured to be disposed between the bottom housing (522) and the top housing (520). The bottom housing (522) includes a recess (726) with a floor (704), and the floor (704) includes a plurality of locating pins (784, 786), the plurality of locating pins (784, 786) extending upward from the floor (704). The plurality of locating pins (784, 786) are configured to extend into a plurality of holes (794, 796) in a substrate (404). A conductive member (762, 764) is configured to establish electrical connection between the sensor (138) and the sensor electronics (112).