Segmented Biosensor with Disposable Needle Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring analytes like glucose in blood or interstitial fluid are complex, painful, costly, and prone to damage, with incorrect application leading to inaccurate readings, and are not suitable for use in water or sports without risking internal component damage.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sensor comprising a plurality of small needles and a reference electrode, arranged in a circular configuration with a flexible support, allowing for simple, pain-free, and reliable glucose measurement, with electronic components that can be safely used in water or during sports, and allowing for easy replacement of the support element without replacing the entire system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a needle protruding from an adhesive support is used to contact blood continuously, then glucose monitoring can be maintained automatically, but the device becomes complex and costly with electronic components that are vulnerable to damage during sports or water activities
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two independent parts: a reusable electronic unit containing the transducer and processing logic, and a disposable adhesive support with integrated needle. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be protected and reused while the vulnerable penetrating part is replaced periodically, reducing overall complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive support with needle is designed as a disposable component that is replaced after a predetermined usage period. This eliminates the need to protect expensive electronic components from damage during sports or water activities, as the vulnerable part is simply discarded and replaced rather than protected or repaired.
2Measurement precision
If a large needle is used for skin penetration to contact blood, then the biosensor can effectively measure glucose, but the skin penetration becomes particularly painful and not applicable to children
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large needle, the invention uses multiple smaller needles arranged in an array on the adhesive support. These smaller needles collectively provide sufficient blood contact for accurate glucose measurement while significantly reducing the pain associated with skin penetration, making the device suitable for children and pain-sensitive individuals.
3Ease of operation
If the electronic sensor part is arranged externally with respect to the adhesive surface, then it can be accessed for data transmission, but it becomes more exposed to potential impacts and bumps causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic sensor part is separated from the adhesive support into a distinct reusable unit. This allows the electronic components to be positioned away from areas prone to impact while maintaining ease of access for data transmission. The disposable adhesive support absorbs the mechanical stress and damage from impacts, protecting the valuable electronic components.
4Reliability
If the adhesive support is removed and replaced periodically, then proper skin adhesion and device integrity are maintained, but the high cost of replacing the entire system increases usage costs
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a reusable electronic unit and a disposable adhesive support. When the adhesive support shows signs of wear or loses adhesion after predetermined use, only the support needs to be replaced while the expensive electronic components remain intact and reusable. This dramatically reduces the per-use cost compared to replacing the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable adhesive support is discarded after its service life, while the valuable electronic unit is recovered and reused for subsequent adhesive supports. This recovery and reuse of electronic components eliminates the need to replace the entire system, significantly reducing ongoing usage costs while maintaining device reliability.
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 provides accurate, pain-free, and cost-effective glucose monitoring, with small needles ensuring correct contact and reducing skin penetration pain, and the ability to use the device in water or sports without damaging internal components, while allowing for easy maintenance and reduced overall costs.
Implementation Method 1
The biosensors are operatively associated with transducers, generally of the electrochemical type, able to react with a predetermined analyte, such as glucose.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for measuring analytes in the blood and/or in the interstitial fluid, comprising: at least one sensor (2) configured to be in contact with the blood and/or interstitial fluid; a transducer (15) engaged to said sensor (2) to measure the concentration of said analyte in the blood and/or interstitial fluid; electronic processing means (16) associated to the transducer (15) to generate a signal (S) representative of the concentration value of said analyte in the blood and/or interstitial fluid; and transmitting means (17) associated with the electronic processing means (16) to send the signal to a receiver member (17a) remotely arranged with respect to said electronic processing means (16); said sensor (2) comprising an active electrode (3) having at least a needle (4) insertable into the skin to be in contact with the blood and/or interstitial fluid, and a reference electrode (5) having a contact element (6) with the user's skin; said electrodes (3, 5) defining a respective current passage electrical circuit.