Sealed Analyte Sensor Housing With Detachable Cannula Caps

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing continuous analyte monitoring systems face challenges such as complex manufacturing processes, costly components, and difficulty in protecting electrical contacts, which often require voluminous and difficult-to-clean encapsulation parts.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a sealed compartment housing an analyte sensor and electronics unit, featuring a detachable cap design for easy insertion and removal, and a retraction mechanism to simplify assembly and handling, while ensuring sterility and environmental protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex encapsulation parts are used to protect electrical contacts, then protection against humidity and dirt is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against humidity and dirtVSAvoidcomplex manufacturing processes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the electrical contact protection function with the existing housing structure by integrating contact windows directly into the housing walls. This merging eliminates the need for separate complex encapsulation parts while maintaining protection against humidity and dirt through the housing's inherent sealing design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection, environmental sealing, and electrical contact interfaces. By making the housing multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated separate encapsulation components, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If voluminous encapsulation parts are used, then protection against environmental factors is improved, but component volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against environmental factorsVSAvoidcomponent volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin film or thin wall structures for the housing and encapsulation elements. These thin films provide sufficient environmental protection while minimizing the volume occupied by protective components, allowing for a more compact overall device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical contacts are nested within recesses in the housing structure, with the contact windows integrated directly into the housing walls. This nesting arrangement eliminates the need for separate voluminous encapsulation parts while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If complex encapsulation parts are used, then protection against humidity is improved, but ease of cleaning is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against humidityVSAvoiddifficulty in cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the housing into separable components with defined sealing interfaces. This segmentation allows for easy disassembly and cleaning of individual parts while maintaining the overall sealed protection against humidity through proper sealing at the interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The use of smooth thin film or thin wall structures creates surfaces that are easier to clean compared to complex voluminous encapsulation parts. The thin films can be easily wiped or rinsed while maintaining their sealing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The device allows for easy manufacturing, simple handling, and cost-effective production with reduced component volume, providing robust and intuitive use for analyte detection.

Implementation Method 1

converts glucose into electrical charge by using an enzyme (e.g. glucose oxidase, GOD)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic reaction: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS20260013757A1Detecting an analyte in a body fluid

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 ROCHE DIABETES CARE INC

AI summary

A medical device for detecting at least one analyte in a body fluid, a method for assembling the medical device and a method of using the medical device are disclosed. The medical device comprises:an analyte sensor having an insertable portion;an insertion cannula receiving the insertable portion of the analyte sensor;an electronics unit connected with the analyte sensor; anda housing comprising an electronics compartment receiving the electronics unit and-a sensor compartment receiving the analyte sensor,the sensor compartment forming a sealed compartment receiving the insertable portion of the analyte sensor,the sealed compartment comprising detachable upper and lower caps,the lower cap configured for detachment before insertion,the insertion cannula being attached to the upper cap, wherein detaching the upper cap after insertion removes the insertion cannula,wherein the electronics compartment at least partially surrounds the sensor compartment.