Sensor Carrier Locking Structure for Reliable Analyte Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing analyte monitoring systems face issues with sensor insertion errors due to user error, improper insertion, and damage to surrounding tissue, leading to malfunction and ineffective analyte level monitoring.

Innovation Solution

An applicator system with a housing, sensor carrier, and cap design that includes lock interfaces, sharp edges, and crush ribs to ensure proper sensor insertion and prevent premature sharp retraction, reducing the likelihood of improper insertion and tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a sharp insertion mechanism is used to deliver the sensor, then the sensor can be inserted into the bodily fluid, but the system becomes susceptible to premature withdrawal and tissue trauma

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor insertionVSAvoidsensor implantation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator is divided into distinct functional segments: a sensor carrier holding the sensor, a sheath containing the sharp, and a cap with lock interfaces. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to achieve reliable sensor implantation without premature withdrawal or tissue trauma.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lock interfaces are pre-configured on the cap and sheath before insertion. The cap is threaded onto the applicator housing in advance, positioning the lock interfaces ready to engage with the sensor carrier. This preliminary setup ensures that when the sharp is deployed, the locking mechanism is already in place to prevent premature withdrawal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the applicator components are made with precise lock interfaces, then sensor insertion reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor insertion accuracyVSAvoidapplicator assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple locking functions are merged into integrated lock interfaces. The cap's lock interfaces combine the functions of securing the sheath, securing the sensor carrier, and preventing premature withdrawal into a single integrated mechanism. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall assembly while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lock interfaces serve multiple functions simultaneously: they secure the sheath to the applicator housing, secure the sensor carrier to the sheath, and prevent premature withdrawal of the sharp. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate locking mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while improving sensor insertion accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system enhances the reliability of sensor insertion by minimizing errors and tissue trauma, ensuring accurate analyte monitoring through improved assembly and insertion mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

The cap can include a second plurality of crush ribs; and the second sharp edge can be configured to engage the second plurality of crush ribs during the shock event

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4413917B1Systems, devices, and methods for analyte monitoring
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC
  • EP4413917B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4413917B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4413917B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2c

AI summary

A sensor carrier for use in an applicator for delivering a sensor control device, the sensor carrier comprising a base having a first half and a second half; a first sensor retention arm coupled to the first half of the base at a first end portion of the first sensor retention arm and having a free second end portion extending toward the second half of the base, the first sensor retention arm including a first sensor retention feature on an inner surface of the first sensor retention arm and a first lock interface on an outer surface of the first sensor retention arm; and a second sensor retention arm coupled to the first half of the base at a first end portion of the second sensor retention arm and having a free second end portion extending toward the second half of the base, the second sensor retention arm including a second sensor retention feature on an inner surface of the second sensor retention arm and a second lock interface on an outer surface of the second sensor retention arm.