Wake-Up Battery Circuit for Invasive Biosensor Shelf Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Invasive biosensors, such as implantable glucose sensors, face the issue of battery discharge over time when the sensor is idle, reducing its useful life before it is used.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wake-up battery system for invasive biosensors, where a second battery with an anode material is inserted into the patient's skin, generates a signal to activate a wake-up circuit, which then connects the main battery to the sensor electrodes, enabling the sensor only when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery is kept connected to the sensor electrodes during storage, then the sensor can be immediately activated when needed, but the battery discharges over time reducing the useful life of the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into two separate batteries: a first battery for long-term storage and a second battery for active sensing. The first battery remains electrically decoupled from the electrodes during storage, while the second battery is activated only when needed, thus preventing premature discharge of the main power source
Solution Approach 2:
A wake-up circuit acts as an intermediary between the first battery and the sensor electrodes. This circuit remains inactive during storage and only activates the connection between the first battery and electrodes when triggered by the second battery, ensuring the main battery remains isolated during storage
2Duration of action of moving object
If the battery is electrically decoupled from the electrodes during storage, then battery discharge is prevented extending useful life, but the sensor cannot be immediately activated when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The second battery is pre-positioned and pre-activated upon contact with interstitial fluid, serving as a wake-up mechanism. This preliminary action triggers the wake-up circuit to establish the electrical connection between the first battery and the electrodes, ensuring immediate activation when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the second battery detects the presence of interstitial fluid and generates a signal that triggers the wake-up circuit. This feedback loop ensures the sensor is activated only when properly implanted and surrounded by physiological fluid
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
This approach prevents premature battery discharge by only activating the main battery when the sensor is in use, thereby extending its useful life and ensuring reliable glucose readings.
Implementation Method 1
a second battery comprising an anode material coupled to a portion of the distal end of the first electrode, the anode material for insertion into the subcutaneous layer, and a portion of the second electrode, the second battery activatable upon immersion in an electrolytic fluid
Implementation Method 2
a first battery to apply a voltage across the first and second electrodes, the first battery at least partially electrically decoupled from the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Example biosensor devices having wake-up batteries and associated methods are disclosed. One example device includes a biosensor that has a first electrode for insertion into a subcutaneous layer beneath a patient's skin, and a second electrode coupled to the first electrode for insertion into the subcutaneous layer, and a first battery to apply a voltage across the first and second electrodes, the first battery at least partially electrically decoupled from the electrodes. The device also includes a second battery having an anode material coupled to the first electrode for insertion into the subcutaneous layer, and a portion of the second electrode. The second battery is activatable upon immersion in an electrolytic fluid. The device also includes a wake-up circuit to receive a signal from the second battery and, in response, to electrically couple the first battery to the first and second electrodes to activate the biosensor.