Shared Antenna Sensing System for Multiple Analyte Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional implantable analyte sensors are limited to a single analyte sensing site and require a dedicated antenna for power and communication, restricting their application range and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A sensing system with multiple analyte sensing devices sharing a single interface device and communication channel, allowing for simultaneous or sequential measurement sequences and addressing of individual devices for improved functionality and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single antenna is used for power and communication, then device complexity is reduced, but the sensor can only have one analyte sensing site

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware requirementsVSAvoidapplication range
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single antenna is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides power to multiple analyte sensing devices simultaneously and enables communication with all devices through a shared communication interface. This multi-functional design allows one hardware component to support multiple sensing sites, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing system is divided into multiple independent analyte sensing devices that can be selectively activated. Each sensing device can perform measurement sequences independently while sharing the common antenna resource. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple sensing sites without requiring dedicated antennas for each, resolving the contradiction between complexity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple sensing devices are added, then measurement capability is improved, but hardware requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidhardware requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple analyte sensing devices are merged onto a single antenna platform, sharing the same power delivery and communication infrastructure. Instead of each sensing device having its own dedicated antenna, the antenna is merged as a common resource that serves all sensing devices simultaneously. This merging approach improves measurement capability through multiple sensing sites while avoiding the hardware complexity increase that would result from separate antenna systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna is designed as a universal interface that can power and communicate with multiple sensing devices. This multi-functional antenna eliminates the need for separate dedicated antennas for each sensing device, thereby supporting enhanced measurement capability without proportionally increasing hardware requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a shared communication interface is used, then device complexity is reduced, but communication efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication interfaceVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The shared communication interface uses periodic time-division multiplexing to communicate with different sensing devices in sequence. The communication protocol implements periodic action by cycling through each sensing device in turn, allowing data to be transmitted from multiple devices through a single shared interface. This approach reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant communication hardware while maintaining communication efficiency through structured periodic access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4191423B1Remotely-powered sensing system with multiple sensing devices
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 SENSEONICS INC
  • EP4191423B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4191423B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4191423B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sensing system including analyte sensing devices, an interface device, and shared communication device. The interface device may be configured to receive a power signal and generate power for powering the sensing devices and to convey data signals generated by the sensing devices. The sensing system may be configured to receive addressed and unaddressed commands. The sensing devices may be configured to perform activities (e.g., measurement sequences) in parallel in response to the unaddressed commands (e.g., unaddressed measurement commands). The sensing devices may be configured to only perform activities (e.g., conveying measurement data) in response to addressed commands (e.g., addressed read measurement data commands) if the sensing devices determine that the addressed commands are addressed to them. The sensing devices may be configured to perform different measurement sequences in response to an unaddressed measurement command to minimize interference caused by the sensing devices performing the measurement sequences in parallel.