Sensor Insertion Device With Rotating Electrical Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor insertion methods for continuous glucose monitoring systems face challenges in connecting sensors to control units, particularly in hard-to-reach areas like the abdominal region, leading to difficulties in establishing electrical conduction and causing user discomfort due to manual alignment and potential deep insertion.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that involves attaching a sensor to a unit base, regulating the position of the sensor control unit within an inserting unit, and using a rotatable mechanism to establish electrical connection by moving the sensor control unit along the insertion target portion, eliminating the need for manual alignment and reducing user discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is inserted into hard-to-reach areas like the abdominal region near the back, then continuous glucose monitoring can be performed, but it becomes difficult to connect the sensor control unit to the sensor and the sensor may be pressed to move inside the body causing pain
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor control unit is integrated into the sensor insertion device, combining the functions of sensor insertion and electrical connection establishment into a single device. This integration eliminates the need for separate manual connection operations after insertion, resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable continuous monitoring in hard-to-reach areas and maintaining ease of connection operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection between the sensor and sensor control unit is established before the sensor is inserted into the body. The connection is made while both components are accessible outside the body, and then the entire assembly is inserted together. This preliminary action eliminates the difficulty of post-insertion connection in hard-to-reach areas.
2Reliability
If the sensor control unit is manually aligned and connected to the sensor after insertion, then electrical conduction can be established, but the sensor may be pressed to move inside the body causing pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection is established before sensor insertion into the body. The sensor control unit is connected to the sensor while both are accessible outside the body, ensuring reliable electrical conduction is made while preventing any pressing or movement of the sensor inside the body that would cause discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor and sensor control unit are designed as an integrated assembly where the connection mechanism is built into the insertion device itself. This merging ensures that electrical conduction is established as part of the insertion process rather than as a separate post-insertion step, eliminating the harmful effect of pressing the sensor during connection.
3Reliability
If the sensor control unit is moved to connect to the sensor after insertion, then electrical connection can be made, but the relative position adjustment becomes difficult in hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The relative position between the sensor control unit and sensor is regulated before insertion into the body. The connection geometry is pre-adjusted while both components are accessible, eliminating the need for complex position regulation operations in hard-to-reach areas after insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor control unit and sensor are designed as a pre-assembled integrated unit with fixed relative positioning. This merging eliminates the need for separate position regulation mechanisms and operations, simplifying the device structure while ensuring reliable electrical connection in hard-to-reach areas.
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
Facilitates secure and pain-free connection of sensors to control units, ensuring reliable electrical conduction without requiring manual alignment, thus improving user experience and reducing the risk of sensor displacement.
Implementation Method 1
establishing electrical conduction between the sensor in the insertion target portion and the sensor control unit
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor insertion method for inserting a sensor into a user's body is provided. The method includes a unit fixing step of regulating a relative position between a sensor control unit and an inserting unit, where the sensor control unit is in a sensor insertion allowing state, and the inserting unit contains the sensor. In this step, the sensor control unit and the inserting unit are fixed to an insertion target portion of the user. Then, in a sensor inserting step, the inserting unit is caused to insert the sensor into the insertion target portion. In a sensor connecting step, the sensor control unit is shifted from the sensor insertion allowing state to a sensor connecting state, whereby electrical conduction is established between the sensor in the insertion target portion and the sensor control unit.