Subcutaneous Analyte Sensor with External Guide
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for continuous in vivo monitoring of glucose or other analytes, such as lactate, are cumbersome, inconvenient, and often restrict patient movement due to bulky and inflexible devices, lacking the ability for continuous or automatic monitoring outside controlled medical facilities.
Innovation Solution
A subcutaneously implantable sensor system with a small, comfortable design that includes a sensor control unit with conductive contacts, a transmitter, and optional components like adhesive, mounting units, and a display unit, allowing for continuous monitoring and alerting patients of analyte thresholds without restricting their activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional electrochemical sensors are directly implanted into blood vessels or subcutaneous tissue, then continuous monitoring capability is achieved, but the devices become large, bulky, and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate components: a small implantable sensor that performs the actual monitoring, and a separate sensor guide that remains external. This segmentation allows the sensor to be miniaturized for continuous monitoring while the guide provides structural support and cable management externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor guide rests on or near the skin surface rather than requiring deep implantation, moving the support structure to a different spatial dimension. This reduces the implantation burden and allows the device to be used outside controlled medical facilities.
2Reliability
If sensor guides rest on or near the skin to hold the sensor in place, then sensor positioning is achieved, but the guides become bulky and restrict patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor guide is designed as a thin, flexible structure that can rest on the skin without being bulky. This flexible design conforms to the body contour and does not significantly restrict patient movement while still providing stable sensor positioning.
3Loss of information
If cables or wires connect the sensor to equipment for signal transmission, then data transmission is achieved, but the presence of cables hinders convenient everyday use
Solution Approach 1:
The cable connection is extracted from the implantable portion and placed entirely in the external sensor guide. This allows the implantable sensor to be truly minimally invasive while the cable management is handled externally where it does not interfere with the patient's body or daily activities.
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
Enables continuous and automatic monitoring of analyte levels, providing timely warnings to patients, enhancing their ability to manage glucose or other analyte levels effectively while allowing for normal activities without the constraints of bulky devices.
Implementation Method 1
A variety of devices have been developed for continuous or automatic monitoring of analytes, such as glucose, in the blood stream or interstitial fluid. A number of these devices use electrochemical sensors
Implementation Method 2
A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
In aspects of the present disclosure, a multi compatible or universal blood glucose monitoring unit including a calibration unit is integrated with one or more components of an analyte monitoring system to provide compatibility with in vitro test strip that require calibration code and test strips that do not require calibration code. Also disclosed are methods, systems, devices and kits for providing the same.