Tubular Implantable Sensor With Integrated Electrode Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable sensors for determining analyte concentrations in body tissues or fluids are complex, costly to produce, and prone to production errors, making them unsuitable for disposable use and difficult for patients with limited motor skills or visual acuity to operate, while also providing inadequate privacy and risking fatal medication errors due to incorrect measurements.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, tubular implantable sensor design with electrode rings circumferentially mounted on a deformable tubular body, eliminating the need for additional casing materials and simplifying the structure, allowing for easier implantation and reduced stiffness, which includes a central lumen for improved symmetry and flexibility, and uses conductive pastes and membrane layers to ensure accurate and reliable electrochemical measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional implantable sensor designs are used, then measurement function is achieved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor element, membrane, and casing into a single integrated tubular structure. The tubular body serves as both the structural casing and the sensor substrate, with the membrane applied directly to its outer surface. This merging eliminates separate components and assembly steps, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement reliability through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support as a casing, serves as the substrate for mounting electrode rings, and works in conjunction with the membrane for analyte detection. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining all necessary sensor functions.
2Strength
If conventional sensor structures with additional casing are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular body integrates the casing function with the sensor substrate function. Instead of manufacturing separate casing and sensor components that require assembly, the sensor elements are mounted directly on the tubular body which serves as both structure and platform. This eliminates complex assembly operations and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining structural integrity through the rigid tubular design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid sensor designs are used, then structural stability is achieved, but ease of implantation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tubular body with optimized wall thickness and material properties that provide sufficient structural stability to maintain sensor integrity, while the overall tubular configuration allows for flexible insertion into tissue. The membrane layer applied to the outer surface also contributes to flexibility while maintaining protective function, enabling easier implantation without compromising structural stability.
4Measurement precision
If complex handling steps are required, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is designed for implantable operation, where the device itself performs the measurement function continuously without requiring repeated patient intervention for sample collection. The integrated tubular structure with embedded electrodes and membrane automatically detects analyte concentrations in the surrounding tissue, eliminating the need for patients to perform complex handling steps while maintaining high measurement precision through continuous monitoring.
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 sensor is produced cost-effectively and reliably, providing accurate, long-term monitoring of analyte concentrations with enhanced patient comfort and reduced risk of measurement errors, enabling continuous and discreet monitoring of analyte levels.
Implementation Method 1
at least two electrode rings for electrochemical determination of the concentration of the analyte are mounted on the tubular body
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable sensor can be used for determining a concentration of at least one analyte in a medium, particularly in a body tissue and/or a body fluid. The implantable sensor can comprise a flexible, tubular sensor element. This sensor element has a tubular body on which at least two electrode rings are mounted for electrochemical determination of the concentration of the analyte.