Wearable Infusion Device with Integrated Glucose Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid infusion devices for conditions like diabetes are cumbersome, complex, and costly, often requiring separate physiological characteristic monitors and multiple insertion sites, making them inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A portable and wearable fluid infusion device with a integrated physiological characteristic sensor, featuring a compact design, adhesive coupling, and a user interface-less configuration to reduce complexity and cost, while integrating a glucose sensor into the infusion set to minimize insertion sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an external fluid infusion device is designed with comprehensive features for physiological monitoring and fluid delivery, then treatment functionality is improved, but device complexity and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable pump unit and disposable infusion sets. This segmentation allows the complex pump to be simplified while the disposable portion handles specific delivery functions, reducing overall system complexity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump unit is designed as a universal platform that can work with multiple types of disposable infusion sets for different medications and delivery requirements. This multi-functionality consolidates treatment capabilities into a single device rather than requiring multiple specialized devices.
2Ease of operation
If an external fluid infusion device includes integrated physiological monitoring sensors, then the number of insertion sites is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The physiological monitoring sensors are integrated directly into the disposable infusion set rather than being separate devices. This merging combines fluid delivery and physiological monitoring into a single insertion point, reducing the number of sites required while keeping the reusable pump relatively simple.
3Ease of operation
If an external fluid infusion device is designed for portability with compact dimensions, then user convenience is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable infusion set is designed to nest within or attach compactly to the pump unit, minimizing the overall footprint when carried. The compact design accommodates all necessary components in a space-efficient arrangement that maintains portability while being manufacturable with standard processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for sensing interstitial glucose includes an elongated structure that defines a fluid delivery conduit having at least one fluid outlet, and a sensor formed on an external surface of the elongated structure and comprising a reference electrode, a counter electrode, and a working electrode arranged planarly in a sequence along a longitudinal axis of the elongated structure and configured to sense an interstitial glucose level of a patient.