Sensor Inserter Assembly for Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for monitoring glucose levels in diabetics are invasive, bulky, and inconvenient, often requiring manual and periodic testing, which can lead to inconsistent monitoring and increased risk of hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic episodes due to their inflexibility and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A subcutaneously implantable electrochemical sensor system with a small, comfortable design that allows continuous monitoring of glucose levels, featuring a sensor control unit with conductive contacts, a transmitter, and optional components like an adhesive, mounting unit, and alarm system, along with an insertion kit for easy sensor placement, enabling automatic and continuous glucose level monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electrochemical sensors are directly implanted into blood vessels or subcutaneous tissue for continuous monitoring, then continuous glucose monitoring capability is achieved, but device size becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate components: a small implantable sensor that is inserted subcutaneously for continuous monitoring, and a separate external receiver unit that processes and displays the data. This segmentation allows the implantable portion to be miniaturized while maintaining continuous monitoring functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single bulky implantable device to a distributed architecture where the sensor is implanted in the third dimension (subcutaneous space) while the processing and display functions are moved to an external device, effectively utilizing spatial separation to reduce implantable volume.
2Reliability
If sensor guides are used to hold the sensor in place on or near the skin, then sensor positioning is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and restricts patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor guide function is extracted from the implantable sensor itself and implemented as a separate adhesive mounting device applied to the skin surface. This allows the sensor to be securely positioned without requiring the sensor structure itself to include bulky guiding or anchoring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
An adhesive mounting device serves as an intermediary between the patient's skin and the sensor, providing secure attachment and positioning while allowing the sensor to remain small and flexible. The adhesive layer acts as a mediator that transfers the positioning function without adding bulk to the sensor.
3Loss of information
If cables or wires are included to connect the sensor to analysis equipment, then signal transmission is achieved, but the device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical connection system (cables and wires) is replaced with a wireless communication system. The implantable sensor contains a transmitter that wirelessly transmits glucose data to the external receiver, eliminating the need for physical connections and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor utilizes flexible printed circuit boards and thin-film technology to create flexible, thin connections between sensor components, replacing rigid cables and wires with flexible, integrated circuit traces that maintain signal transmission while minimizing bulk.
4Measurement precision
If periodic manual blood testing is performed, then glucose level determination is achieved, but monitoring consistency varies and hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic episodes may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous real-time monitoring of glucose levels through the implantable sensor, replacing periodic manual testing with uninterrupted measurement. This continuous action ensures consistent monitoring and immediate detection of glucose level changes, preventing hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic episodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by constantly monitoring glucose levels and immediately transmitting data to the receiver, allowing patients to receive real-time information about their glucose status and take appropriate actions before critical episodes occur.
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 provides continuous, automatic glucose monitoring, allowing patients to engage in normal activities while receiving timely alerts for threshold glucose levels, thereby reducing the risk of severe glycemic events and improving management of diabetes.
Implementation Method 1
A number of these devices use electrochemical sensors which are directly implanted into a blood vessel or in the subcutaneous tissue of a patient
Implementation Method 2
The mounting unit may include an adhesive that adheres to the skin of the patient
Data Source
AI summary
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte, such as blood glucose. An inserter having a retractable introducer is provided for subcutaneously implanting the sensor in a predictable and reliable fashion.