Receiver-Controller for Automated Insulin Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices lack the capability to communicate and control therapeutic substance delivery based on real-time monitoring data, failing to automate the delivery of therapeutic agents in response to a patient's body state, which can lead to dangerous situations.
Innovation Solution
A medical system comprising a monitoring device with a telemetry system, a therapeutic substance delivery device, and a receiver-controller device that receives signals from the monitoring device to control the delivery of therapeutic substances, such as insulin, based on predefined warning conditions, including glucose level and rate of change, to prevent hypoglycemia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated communication and control between monitoring device and therapeutic substance delivery device is implemented, then patient safety and glycemic control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a monitoring device for detecting glucose levels, a receiver-controller for processing data and making decisions, and a therapeutic substance delivery device for administering insulin. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity in any single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver-controller acts as an intermediary device that receives signals from the monitoring device and controls the therapeutic substance delivery device. This intermediary architecture enables automated communication and control between the monitoring and delivery systems, improving patient safety through automated responses while distributing system complexity across multiple components rather than concentrating it in one complex device.
2Loss of time
If real-time continuous monitoring and automated therapeutic substance delivery are implemented, then response time to dangerous conditions is reduced, but device complexity and programming requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver-controller is pre-programmed with predetermined response protocols and warning conditions (e.g., specific glucose level thresholds and rates of change). When the monitoring device detects critical conditions, the system automatically executes pre-planned actions such as adjusting insulin delivery rates or alerting the patient. This preliminary programming reduces response time to dangerous conditions while managing complexity through standardized response protocols rather than requiring complex real-time decision algorithms.
3Reliability
If programmable warning conditions and automated insulin delivery control are implemented, then hypoglycemia prevention is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the receiver-controller automatically monitors glucose levels, compares them against predetermined warning conditions, and adjusts therapeutic substance delivery without requiring continuous user intervention. The automated system performs hypothesis testing and decision-making based on pre-programmed criteria, improving hypoglycemia prevention while reducing the operational burden on patients through hands-free automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides ambulatory medical systems that include a monitoring device, a therapeutic substance administering device, and a receiver-controller for receiving a signal generated by the monitoring device and controlling the therapeutic substance administering device based on the information received from the monitoring device. The invention also provides methods for using the same.