Redundant Staggered Glucose Sensor System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glucose monitoring and insulin delivery systems face challenges during the warmup, stabilization, and end-of-life periods of glucose sensors, where measurements may be inaccurate or unavailable, leading to potential errors in insulin administration.
Innovation Solution
A redundant staggered glucose sensor system is introduced, comprising two disease management systems: one with a glucose sensor in a settling period and another providing continuous glucose monitoring to ensure accurate insulin dosing, even during periods when one sensor is not operational.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single glucose sensor is used in the system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of glucose monitoring deteriorates during warmup, stabilization, and end-of-life periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by implementing a staggered replacement schedule where a second sensor is activated before the first sensor reaches end-of-life. This ensures continuous monitoring capability and prevents gaps in reliable glucose data during sensor transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining overlapping sensor coverage periods. The second sensor is deployed while the first sensor is still operational, creating a buffer period where both sensors are active and ensuring no gap in reliable monitoring coverage.
2Measurement precision
If glucose sensors are replaced frequently to maintain accuracy, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of time for sensor stabilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining uninterrupted glucose monitoring through overlapping sensor deployment. While one sensor is undergoing warmup or stabilization, the other sensor continues providing reliable measurements, eliminating idle time and ensuring continuous accurate monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sensor is prepared and activated in advance before the first sensor becomes unreliable, preventing any gap in accurate monitoring and eliminating the time loss associated with sensor replacement stabilization periods.
3Reliability
If a redundant staggered sensor system is implemented, then the reliability of insulin administration is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary action by activating the second sensor before the first sensor reaches end-of-life, ensuring continuous reliable glucose monitoring for accurate insulin dosing calculations throughout the transition period.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring period is segmented into overlapping phases where different sensors are primary or secondary. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability by always having at least one reliable sensor active while managing complexity through structured sensor roles.
Data Source
AI summary
A system which provides closed loop insulin administration is disclosed. The system includes redundant glucose sensors which may be interleaved in order to provide monitoring when one of the glucose sensors is in a settling period. The system may include a disease management unit which includes both a glucose sensor and an insulin pump. A closed loop disease management system which bases insulin administration on accurate glucose measurements may improve a patient's quality of life.