Combined Sensor-Infusion Set Layout to Prevent See-Saw Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Combined analyte sensors and infusion set hubs experience a 'see-saw' effect due to fixed attachments, leading to undesirable movement and reduced accuracy of glucose readings, and potential cross-talk issues from proximity of sensor probe to cannula.

Innovation Solution

The combined device features a flexible base with modular components, allowing independent movement of the analyte sensor and infusion set hub, reducing the 'see-saw' effect and maintaining sensor accuracy, and maintaining a minimum distance between the sensor probe and cannula to minimize cross-talk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the analyte sensor and infusion set hub are fixedly attached together, then the device structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but movement of one component causes undesirable movement of the other component leading to reduced accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice assemblyVSAvoidglucose reading accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules (analyte sensor and infusion set hub) that are not rigidly fixed to each other. Each module can move independently on the flexible base, preventing the see-saw effect while maintaining overall device integration. This segmentation allows manufacturing simplicity while preserving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible base is used as the mounting substrate for both components. The flexibility of this base allows each component to move independently without transferring movement to the other component, thereby eliminating the see-saw effect while keeping the device structure integrated and manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If the analyte sensor and infusion set hub are placed close together on the body, then user comfort is improved, but cross-talk occurs between the sensor probe and cannula reducing measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidglucose reading accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device components are segmented and mounted on a flexible base that allows independent positioning. This enables the sensor and infusion hub to be placed close together for user comfort while the flexible mounting prevents mechanical coupling that would cause cross-talk between the probe and cannula.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4061220B1Combined analyte sensor and infusion set
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 MEDTRONIC MINIMED INC
  • EP4061220B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4061220B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4061220B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein are combined devices and methods of manufacturing such combined devices. The combined devices disclosed herein include an analyte sensor including a sensor probe; an infusion set hub including a cannula; and a flexible base. The analyte sensor and infusion set hub are attached to the flexible base such that movement of one of the analyte sensor and the infusion set hub is substantially not transferred to the other one of the analyte sensor and the infusion set hub.