Sensor Embedding Device with Oriented Retainer

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods fail to embed sensors inside a subject with their sensing regions oriented in a predetermined direction, leading to insufficient sensitivity in detecting biological states like glucose concentration due to potential sensor misalignment within the skin.

Innovation Solution

A sensor embedding device comprising a needle with a hole, a sensor retainer to orient the sensor correctly, and a movable section to slide the sensor into the subject, ensuring the sensing region is aligned towards the skin surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a sensor is embedded in the skin using conventional injection methods, then the sensor can be inserted into the subject, but the sensing region cannot be oriented in a predetermined direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor orientation precisionVSAvoidembedding device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is pre-mounted on a retainer in the correct orientation before insertion. The retainer holds the sensor with its sensing region facing the intended direction (toward the skin surface), ensuring proper orientation is established in advance rather than attempting to control it during injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer with the mounted sensor is inserted through the needle hole, and then the entire assembly (needle, retainer, and sensor) is injected into the subject. The needle serves as a guide and delivery mechanism that contains the retainer-sensor assembly during insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If the sensor orientation is not controlled during embedding, then the injection process is simpler, but the sensitivity of transdermal detection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidembedding operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is pre-mounted on a retainer in the correct orientation before insertion. The retainer holds the sensor with its sensing region facing the intended direction (toward the skin surface), ensuring proper orientation is established in advance rather than attempting to control it during injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If a sensor retainer with movable section is used to orient the sensor correctly, then the sensing region can be oriented towards the skin surface, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor embedding precisionVSAvoidembedding device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The embedding device is divided into distinct functional components: a needle for insertion, a retainer for holding and orienting the sensor, and a movable section for advancing the sensor. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall device manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer with the mounted sensor is inserted through the needle hole, and then the entire assembly (needle, retainer, and sensor) is injected into the subject. The needle serves as a guide and delivery mechanism that contains the retainer-sensor assembly during insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS10194939B2Sensor embedding device and sensor embedding system

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A sensor embedding device according to the present disclosure is a sensor embedding device which embeds a sensor in a subject, the sensor having a sensing region in which to detect a state of the subject, including: a needle to be inserted in the subject, the needle having a hole; a sensor retainer to retain the sensor so that the sensor is ready to be embedded inside the subject in such a manner that the sensing region is oriented in a predetermined direction; and a movable section to move the sensor into the subject with a slide of the sensor retainer inside the hole.