Transdermal Optical Sensor for Glucose Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transdermal sensor systems face issues such as skin irritation, invasive procedures, discomfort, immune system responses, and accuracy problems due to hydrogel viscosity and interference from electrochemically active species like hydrogen peroxide, leading to inaccurate glucose monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A non-invasive transdermal optical analysis system using a test sensor with an aqueous material and optically active moieties that alters light in response to analyte concentration, allowing for precise glucose monitoring without the need for continuous current application, thereby reducing skin irritation and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If iontophoresis is used to transport ISF to the skin surface, then transdermal sampling is achieved, but skin irritation occurs due to current flow between electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransdermal samplingVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrochemical iontophoresis system with a mechanical microporation system. Microneedles physically create microchannels through the stratum corneum, eliminating the need for electrical current while achieving transdermal fluid transport. This substitution resolves the skin irritation problem caused by electrical current while maintaining the transdermal sampling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If hydrogel is used in electrochemical test sensors, then fluid extraction is facilitated, but measurement precision decreases due to viscosity and interference from electrochemically active species

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid extractionVSAvoidanalyte concentration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrochemical detection system with an optical detection system. Instead of using electrodes that measure electrical current affected by hydrogel viscosity and electrochemically active species interference, the invention uses optical sensors that detect analyte concentration through light absorption or fluorescence. This eliminates the measurement precision problems while retaining the hydrogel's fluid extraction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If invasive methods with lancets are used to obtain blood samples, then analyte concentration can be determined, but patient discomfort and pain increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyte concentration determinationVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating localized microchannels through the stratum corneum using microneedles, rather than causing widespread tissue damage with lancets. The microporation is confined to tiny, localized points that minimize pain and discomfort while still enabling sufficient interstitial fluid transport for accurate analyte measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Duration of action of moving object

If implantable sensors are placed under the skin, then continuous monitoring is possible, but immune system responses affect usefulness for individual patients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous monitoring capabilityVSAvoidpatient compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional implantable sensor approach by placing the sensor on the external surface of the skin rather than implanting it underneath. The micropored skin acts as a natural interface that allows continuous interstitial fluid transport to the external sensor, eliminating immune system responses to foreign implants while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 rapid and accurate glucose monitoring with reduced skin irritation and improved precision, enabling continuous monitoring with lower battery consumption and longer operational life compared to conventional electrochemical systems.

Implementation Method 1

optically active moieties that alters light in response to analyte concentration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9354226B2Transdermal systems, devices, and methods to optically analyze an analyte

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 ASCENSIA DIABETES CARE HLDG AG

AI summary

The invention provides transdermal optical analysis systems, test sensors, methods, and kits for determining the presence and/or concentration of at least one analyte in a fluid sample. The system includes a transdermal test sensor including an aqueous material including at least one analyte selective reagent and at least one optically active moiety. The optical system preferably uses fluorescent spectroscopy to correlate fluorescent emission or adsorption from a dye with the analyte concentration of the sample. An optical light source and/or detector may be housed with the aqueous material in a housing or external to the housing of the aqueous material.