Variable-Angle Flexible Sensor Insertion for Comfortable Skin Penetration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The insertion of flexible analyte sensors through piercing mechanisms causes physical and emotional discomfort, discouraging their use for continuous blood analyte monitoring, and as flexibility increases, the capacity to penetrate unbroken skin diminishes.

Innovation Solution

An insertion device with a guidance structure and adjustable angle component allows for variable angle insertion of flexible analyte sensors, utilizing a high-speed motive force and adjustable skin tensioning to ensure perpendicular penetration without the need for piercing mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flexible sensors are used, then user comfort during long-term use is improved, but the capacity to penetrate unbroken skin diminishes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidskin penetration capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system is divided into two distinct components: a flexible sensor portion for long-term comfort and a separate rigid insertion portion for reliable skin penetration. The rigid portion acts as a delivery mechanism that guides the flexible sensor through the skin without requiring the flexible sensor itself to be rigid enough for penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A rigid hollow mechanism (needle, cannula, or trocar) serves as an intermediary device that enables the flexible sensor to penetrate the skin. The rigid mechanism creates the initial pathway through the skin, allowing the flexible sensor to follow through without needing to be rigid itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If piercing mechanisms are used for sensor insertion, then skin penetration is achieved, but physical and emotional discomfort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin penetrationVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The painful piercing function is extracted from the flexible sensor and placed into a separate rigid insertion mechanism. This allows the flexible sensor to be delivered through the skin without requiring it to perform the penetration itself, reducing discomfort while maintaining penetration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid insertion mechanism performs the skin penetration action first, creating a pathway before the flexible sensor is introduced. This preliminary action eliminates the need for the flexible sensor to bend or force its way through intact skin, significantly reducing user discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If sensor flexibility is increased, then user comfort during long-term use is improved, but insertion difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong-term wear comfortVSAvoidinsertion mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260020796A1Sensor insertion apparatus for variable angle sensor insertion

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 KONAMITE LTD

AI summary

Embodiments provide for insertion devices for flexible analyte sensors that enable a user to select from a wide variety of different angles of sensor insertion. In an example, an insertion device comprises a guidance structure for supporting the flexible analyte sensor during insertion into skin, and an insertion angle adjustment component configured to manipulate the guidance structure that in turn adjusts the angle of flexible analyte sensor delivery to skin. In this way, insertion angle may readily be changed by a user or technician, depending on the application.