Implantable Sensor Holder Structure for Liquid-Resistant Signal Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Patients with chronic conditions face discomfort due to frequent blood draws for monitoring physiological parameters, and existing implantable sensors have issues with stability and detection sensitivity, particularly with external liquids affecting their performance.

Innovation Solution

A physiological signal monitoring device with a holder and sensor design that includes an implantation hole, a containing indentation, an elastic divider, and a blocking element to securely implant and stabilize the sensor under the skin, providing a thin, detachable, and waterproof sealing mechanism to prevent external liquids from interfering with the sensor's operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sensor is sealed in a housing with glue for implantation, then the sensor is fixed in place, but the glue flows into the implantation channel and affects detection sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor fixation stabilityVSAvoiddetection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into distinct functional zones: a sensor receiving cavity that accommodates the sensor, and a separate implantation channel. This segmentation prevents the adhesive used for fixing the sensor from flowing into the implantation channel, thereby maintaining detection sensitivity while ensuring reliable sensor fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A blocking structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the sensor receiving cavity and the implantation channel. This blocking structure acts as a barrier that prevents adhesive from migrating into the implantation channel, resolving the conflict between needing adhesive for fixation and preventing it from affecting sensor performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the sensor is implanted under the skin for long-term monitoring, then real-time physiological data can be collected, but external liquids may affect the sensor's detection sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring durationVSAvoiddetection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A waterproof membrane is introduced as a flexible barrier between the external environment and the sensor. This membrane allows the sensor to remain implanted under the skin for long-term monitoring while preventing external liquids from contacting and affecting the sensor's detection sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If a traditional test strip method is used for blood glucose measurement, then the measurement can be performed, but patients must experience repeated blood collections which is uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood glucose measurement accuracyVSAvoidpatient comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the sensor component from the traditional test strip system and implants it directly under the skin. This eliminates the need for repeated blood collection and test strip usage, providing continuous monitoring while maintaining measurement accuracy and significantly improving patient comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3771398B1Physiological signal monitoring device and sensor holder thereof
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 BIONIME
  • EP3771398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3771398B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3771398B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present invention discloses a holder carrying thereon a sensor to measure a physiological signal of an analyte in a biological fluid, wherein the sensor has a signal detection end and a signal output end, and the holder includes an implantation hole being a channel for implanting therethrough the sensor and containing a part of the sensor, and a containing indentation containing the signal output end, wherein the containing indentation has a surrounding wall kept apart from the signal output end to define a space.