Transcutaneous Glucose Sensor with Adhesive Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for monitoring blood glucose levels in diabetes patients are invasive, uncomfortable, and provide infrequent readings, leading to delayed detection of hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic conditions and inadequate insulin therapy decisions.
Innovation Solution
A transcutaneous sensor system that continuously measures glucose levels using a sensor inserted into the host's tissue, a housing for placement adjacent to the skin, and an electronics unit connected to the sensor for data processing and transmission, with an adhesive layer for secure attachment and a power source for prolonged use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional finger pricking methods are used for blood glucose monitoring, then measurement precision can be achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to discomfort and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical finger pricking system with a transcutaneous sensor system that uses electrochemical detection through the skin. The sensor employs a working electrode, reference electrode, and counter electrode with enzyme-coated membranes to detect glucose levels continuously without mechanical penetration, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary adhesive layer that facilitates sensor attachment to the skin and enables transcutaneous analyte delivery. This adhesive intermediary allows the sensor to interface with the skin non-invasively, providing continuous glucose monitoring without the discomfort of repeated finger pricks while maintaining accurate measurement through the skin barrier.
2Device complexity
If conventional SMBG monitoring is performed two to four times per day, then device complexity remains simple, but loss of information increases due to infrequent readings that miss glycemic trends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous glucose monitoring by keeping the sensor in constant contact with the skin through an adhesive layer, enabling uninterrupted analyte detection. The sensor continuously measures glucose levels and transmits data to a receiver, providing ongoing glycemic information without requiring repeated user actions, thereby eliminating information loss while managing complexity through automated continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where the sensor continuously measures glucose levels, transmits data to a receiver, and provides real-time glycemic information to the user. This feedback mechanism ensures complete information capture about glycemic trends, allowing users to make informed insulin therapy decisions based on continuous data rather than intermittent readings.
3Ease of operation
If transcutaneous sensor system is implemented for continuous monitoring, then ease of operation improves with continuous comfortable monitoring, but device complexity increases due to additional components like electronics unit, antenna, and power source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor, electronics unit, antenna, and power source into an integrated transcutaneous monitoring system. The sensor is attached to the skin via an adhesive layer, with the electronics unit and antenna positioned on or near the skin surface, and the power source integrated into the system. This merging of components enables continuous monitoring convenience while managing complexity through integrated design and modular architecture.
4Measurement precision
If sensor is inserted into host's tissue for continuous measurement, then measurement precision improves with continuous data, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to potential tissue irritation or infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an adhesive layer as an intermediary between the sensor and the skin, enabling transcutaneous analyte detection without direct tissue insertion. This intermediary layer allows continuous glucose monitoring through the skin barrier while minimizing tissue irritation and infection risk associated with invasive sensor insertion, thereby maintaining measurement precision with reduced harmful effects.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.