In Vivo Sensor Housing with Segmented Sterilization Chambers

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-vivo analyte concentration measurement systems face challenges in ensuring accurate calibration data for sensors due to variations in sensitivity between production batches, leading to incorrect measurement results from mixed-up calibration data carriers and difficulties in sterilizing sensors packaged with data carriers.

Innovation Solution

A housing with at least two separate chambers is used to sterilize the sensor in one chamber and store the data carrier in another, allowing for easy connection to a base station, reducing the risk of incorrect data usage and enabling cost-effective sterile packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sensors are packaged together with data carriers in a single housing, then the connection and data input process is simplified, but the risk of mixing up calibration data carriers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection and data input processVSAvoidrisk of mixing up calibration data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a first chamber for the sensor and a second chamber for the data carrier. This segmentation allows both components to be connected to the base station in a single step while physically separating them to prevent mixing up, as each chamber is dedicated to a specific component type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If sensors are sterilized by intensive irradiation after being packaged with data carriers, then sterilization is achieved, but the electronic or magnetic data carriers are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization of sensorVSAvoiddamage to data carrier from radiation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into a first chamber for the sensor and a second chamber for the data carrier. The sensor in the first chamber can be sterilized by intensive irradiation without affecting the data carrier in the second chamber, which is protected from radiation damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The data carrier is extracted from the sterilization process by placing it in a separate second chamber that is not exposed to the intensive irradiation used to sterilize the sensor in the first chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If sensors are sterilized before packaging with data carriers, then sterilization is achieved, but maintaining sterile conditions throughout packaging requires considerable effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization of sensorVSAvoidpackaging process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into a first chamber for the sterilized sensor and a second chamber for the data carrier. This allows the sensor to be sterilized and packaged in controlled conditions while the data carrier is packaged separately, simplifying the overall packaging process while maintaining sterile conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution simplifies sensor connection and calibration data input, reduces errors in measurement results, and facilitates low-cost sterile packaging of sensors with data carriers, enhancing the reliability and usability of the measurement system.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor (3) for generating measurement signals that correlate with the analyte concentration to be measured

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical detection:

Implementation Method 2

a housing (12) with at least two separate chambers (13, 14)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment:

Data Source

PatentEP1972275B1System for in vivo measurement of an analyte concentration

Publication Date: 2015.10.28 ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a system for in-vivo measurement of an analyte concentration in a human or animal body, comprising interchangeable sensors (3) for generating measurement signals that correlate with the analyte concentration to be measured, data carriers (11) with calibration data of the sensors (3), a base station (2) to which at least one of the interchangeable sensors (3) and an associated data carrier (11) with calibration data can be connected, so that measurement signals generated by a connected sensor (3) during operation are transmitted to an evaluation unit (47), which evaluates the measurement signals generated by the connected sensor (3) using the calibration data that were read from the data carrier (11) belonging to the connected sensor (3).According to the invention, the system comprises a housing (12) with at least two separate chambers (13, 14), wherein one of the sensors (3) is arranged in a first chamber (13) under sterile conditions and a data carrier (11) containing calibration data of the sensor (3) is arranged in a second chamber (14), and wherein the housing (12) is adapted to an interface of the base station (2) so that the sensor (3) contained in the housing (12) and the associated data carrier (11) can be connected to the base station (2) by attaching the housing (12) to the interface. The invention further relates to a packaging system for consumable components of such a measuring system and a method for packaging an in-vivo measuring sensor (3).