US20220218240A1 - Sensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A sensing device includes a base, a probe structure and a transmitter structure. The base is provided with a first fastener part. The probe structure includes a second fastener part, a probe and a connection area. The transmitter structure includes a transmitter housing and a transmitter disposed inside the transmitter housing, the transmitter housing is provided with a connection hole, the shape of which matches the shape of the probe structure, and when the transmitter structure is mounted to the base, the probe structure is located in the connection hole, and the transmitter is electrically connected to the connection area to receive the signal generated by the probe.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention mainly relates to the field of medical instruments, in particular to a sensing device.
BACKGROUND
• The pancreas in a normal person can automatically monitor the amount of glucose in the blood and automatically secrete the required dosage of insulin/glucagon. However, for diabetic patients, the function of the pancreas is abnormal, and the pancreas cannot normally secrete required dosage of insulin. Therefore, diabetes is a metabolic disease caused by abnormal pancreatic function, which is also a lifelong disease. At present, medical technology cannot cure diabetes, and it can only control the occurrence and development of diabetes and its complications by stabilizing blood glucose.
• Patients with diabetes need to check their blood glucose before injecting insulin into the body. At present, most of the detection methods can continuously detect blood glucose, and send the blood glucose data to the remote device in real time for the user to view. This detection method is called Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) method. The method requires the sensing device to be attached to the surface of the patients' skin, and the probe carried by the device is inserted into the subcutaneous tissue fluid for testing.
• However, the current sensing device is relatively large and relatively thick, affecting the user's dressing, stretching, exercise and other daily activities, which can seriously worsen user experience. Also, detection can be easily interrupted with such a sensing device because a bulky device can get bumped or caught easily, which may lead to data loss and pose a potential safety hazard to the user.
• Accordingly, there is a need in the state of the art for a sensing device that has a reduced thickness and enhances the user experience.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The embodiment of the invention discloses a sensing device. By special design of its internal structure and simplification of structural units, the thickness dimension of the sensing device is reduced, thereby enhancing the user experience.
• The invention discloses a sensing device, comprising: a base, the base is provided with a first fastener part; a probe structure, the probe structure comprises a second fastener part, a probe and a connection area, the second fastener part can be fastened with the first fastener part, and the probe is disposed for detecting the analyte parameter in the body fluid, and the connection area is electrically connected to the probe, the second fastener part is disposed at the end of the probe structure, and the second fastener part is fastened with the first fastener part to mount the probe structure to the base; and a transmitter structure, the transmitter structure includes a transmitter housing and a transmitter disposed inside the transmitter housing, the transmitter housing is provided with a connection hole, the shape of which matches the shape of the probe structure, and when the transmitter structure is mounted to the base, the probe structure is located in the connection hole, and the transmitter is electrically connected to the connection area to receive the signal generated by the probe.
• According to an aspect of the invention, the side wall of the probe structure is provided with a sealing element.
• According to an aspect of the invention, the side wall of the probe structure is provided with a rubber sealing ring.
• According to an aspect of the invention, the first fastener part is provided on/in the bottom of the base.
• According to an aspect of the invention, the first fastener part includes a kind of or a combination of at least one slot, or one hole, or one hook or one block.
• According to an aspect of the invention, the first fastener part includes holes or slots, and the second fastener part includes blocks fastened with the holes or the slots of the first fastener part.
• According to an aspect of the invention, the first fastener part includes a plurality of blocks, and the second fastener part includes a plurality of holes or slots fastened with the blocks of the first fastener part.
• According to an aspect of the invention, the first fastener part and the second fastener part are both hooks that can be fastened with each other.
• According to an aspect of the invention, the fastening position between the first fastener part and the second fastener part is located in the bottom wall of the base, or located at the inner/outer surface of the bottom of the base.
• According to an aspect of the invention, the first fastener part includes a plurality of blocks or hooks, and the distance between the top of the first fastener part and the bottom surface of the base is s, s 1.5 mm.
• Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:
• In the sensing device disclosed in the present invention, the base is provided with a first fastener part, and the probe structure includes a second fastener part fastened with the first fastener part. The probe structure itself disposes a second fastener part, which can be installed to the base without the cooperation of other extra or additional structural units, reducing the number of structural components for mounting the probe structure and the complexity of the probe structure installation process. In addition, the second fastener part is disposed at the end of the probe structure, which lowers the height of the probe structure. At the same time, the fastening position between the first fastener part and the second fastener part is much closer to the bottom surface of the base. Furthermore, the transmitter housing is provided with a connection hole that matches the shape of the probe structure. Only the connection hole is arranged on the transmitter housing, while no position or space for other structural components is provided on the transmitter housing, which reduces the thickness of the transmitter structure and the thickness dimension of the sensing device, thereby enhancing the user experience.
• Furthermore, the sensing device of the present invention is provided with a rubber sealing ring on the side wall of the probe structure. The provision of a seal element enhances the degree of sealing of the connection between the probe structure and the transmitter structure, allowing the sensing device to perform analyte detection in more harsh conditions such as wet environments, underwater environments, and the like. Secondly, setting one, not more, seal rings can further reduce the height dimension of the probe structure.
• Furthermore, the first fastener part are blocks or hooks, and the distance between the top of the first fastener part and the bottom surface of the base is s, s≤1.5 mm. The distance between the top of the first fastener part and the bottom surface of the base is reduced, and the fastening position between the first fastener part and the second fastener part is much closer to the bottom surface of the base, and the top of the probe is further lowered after the probe structure is installed. The lowered probe structure leads to further reduce thickness of the transmitter structure, ultimately reducing the thickness dimension of the sensing device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic structural view of a base, a probe structure and a transmitter structure for mounting according to one embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic structural view of a base according to one embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 3atoFIG. 3cillustrate schematic structural views of a probe structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic structural view of a probe structure mounted to a base according to one embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 5atoFIG. 5dillustrate schematic structural views of a first fastener part and a second fastener part according to embodiments of the present invention;
• FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic structural view of a transmitter structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 7a-FIG. 7cillustrate schematic structural views of a sensing device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• As described above, the prior art sensing device is relatively thick and adhered to the surface of the skin, easily affected by the user's movement or dressing activities. And the sensing device can get easily bumped or caught, worsening user experience.
• It has been found through research that the prior art sensing device mounts the probe structure to the base by means of an extra or additional snap ring(s) or hook(s) and the mutual fastening of the positioning parts on the base. After installation, the top of the probe structure is higher, increasing the thickness of the transmitter structure, ultimately increasing the thickness of the sensing device.
• In order to solve the problem, the present invention provides a sensing device. The end of the probe structure itself is provided with a second fastener part, and the fastening position between the second fastener part and the first fastener part is much closer to the bottom surface of the base, reducing the thickness of the sensing device, and enhancing user experience.
• Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The relative arrangement of the components and the steps, numerical expressions and numerical values set forth in the embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
• In addition, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various components shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn in the actual scale relationship, for example, the thickness, the width, the length or the distance of certain units may be exaggerated relative to other structures.
• The following description of the exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative, and is not intended to be in any way limiting the invention and its application or use. The techniques, methods and devices that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art may not be discussed in detail, but such techniques, methods and devices should be considered as part of the specification.
• It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters indicate similar items in the following figures. Therefore, once an item is defined or illustrated in a drawing, it will not be discussed further in following description of the drawings.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a mounting position of abase10, aprobe structure100 and atransmitter structure1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• The sensing device of the embodiment of the invention comprises abase10, aprobe structure100 and atransmitter structure1000. The three structural units are mounted as a sensing structure in accordance with the position of the dashed line inFIG. 1. The respective structures and the positional relationship between the structures will be described in detail below.
• The sensing device disclosed by the present invention can be used to detect different body fluid parameter information such as blood glucose concentration, drug concentration, hormone information or parameter information of other substances. Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, the sensing device is configured to detect concentration information of glucose in the tissue fluid in real time, and transmit the obtained information to the remote device in real time. At this point, the sensing device is part of a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a base10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Thebase10 is provided with afirst fastener part110. Thefirst fastener part110 is used to mount theprobe structure100. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, thefirst fastener part110 is disposed on the bottom surface of thebase10, as depicted inFIG. 1. Thefirst fastener part110 can be disposed on the inner/outer bottom surface of thebase10. Preferably, thefirst fastener part110 is disposed on the inner bottom surface of thebase10. The shape of thefirst fastener part110 will be described in detail below throughFIG. 5atoFIG. 5d.
• It should be noted that, in other embodiments of the present invention, thefirst fastener part110 may be disposed on the side wall of the base10 or at the same time on the side wall and the bottom surface of thebase10, and is not specifically limited herein. It suffices that thefirst fastener part110 and thesecond fastener part120 can be fastened with each other.
• The outer bottom surface of the base10 (as shown inFIG. 7b) is also fixedly provided with medical tape (not shown) to adhere the base10 to the skin surface. Positions (not shown) for fixing thetransmitter structure1000 are also provided on the side wall or bottom of thebase10.
• FIG. 3atoFIG. 3care schematic diagrams showing the structure of theprobe structure100 at different viewing angles according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Theprobe structure100 includes asecond fastener part120, aprobe130 and aconnection area140.
• Thesecond fastener part120 is configured to fasten with thefirst fastener part110 on the base10 to mount theprobe structure100. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the structures of thesecond fastener part120 and thefirst fastener part110 are matched to each other, which will be described in detail below.
• Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, thesecond fastener part120, disposed at the bottom end of theprobe structure100, forms a part of theprobe structure100. When thesecond fastener part120 and thefirst fastener part110 are fastened with each other, the fastening position is closer to the bottom surface of thebase10. This not only reduces the height h of theprobe structure100, but also eliminates the need for extra or additional hooks, snap rings, etc., to mount theprobe structure100 on thebase10, therefore reducing the number of the structure components required for mounting theprobe structure100 and the difficulty of designing theprobe structure100 and thebase10, and also simplifying the manufacturing process of theprobe structure100 and thebase10. And after installation, the height of the top of theprobe structure100 is relatively low, reducing the thickness of thetransmitter structure1000.
• In other embodiments of the present invention, a part of thesecond fastener part120 may also be disposed at the top end of theprobe structure100, that is, both ends of theprobe structure120 are provided with a second fastener part. Obviously, thesecond fastener part120 at the bottom end thereof can still be fastened with thefirst fastener part110, and thesecond fastener part120 at the top end can match the shape of other structures, which will be described in detail below. Preferably, in the embodiment of the present invention, thesecond fastener parts120 are disposed at the same end of theprobe structure100.
• It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the fastening position closer to the bottom surface of the base10 means that the distance between the fastening position and the bottom surface of thebase10 is less than or equal to 1.5 mm, or the fastening position is located at the inner/outer surface of the bottom of thebase10. Or the fastening position is located in the bottom wall of the base10 (the first fastener part as described below is a hole structure).
• The embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit the number of thesecond fastener parts120, which may be one, two, three, four or more. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the number of thesecond fastener parts120 is four, which makes the locking firmer.
• Theprobe130 is used to detect and transmit parameter information of the body fluid analyte. Theprobe130 includes an upper part and a subcutaneous part. The upper part of theprobe130 is disposed inside theprobe structure100, while the subcutaneous part is used to penetrate the subcutaneous tissue fluid. An electrode for detecting analyte parameter information is disposed on theprobe130, and the parameter information is converted into an electrical signal to be transmitted to thetransmitter structure1000.
• Theconnection area140 is a metal conductive structure and functions as a connection medium for transmitting electrical signals from theprobe130 to thetransmitter180. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, theconnection area140 is disposed at the top end of theprobe structure100.
• In other embodiments of the invention, theconnection area140 can also be located on the side wall of theprobe structure100, which can further reduce the height h of theprobe structure100. At this time, the top end of theprobe structure100 may be provided with a second fastener part120 (thesecond fastener part120 is disposed at both ends of the probe structure100) for connecting and engaging with thetransmitter structure1000, making the connection between different structures much stronger.
• It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the side wall of theprobe structure100 is further provided with arecess15 for placing the sealing element150 (as depicted inFIG. 1 andFIG. 4). The placement of the sealingelement150 within therecess15 provides a better seal between thetransmitter structure1000 and theprobe structure100, allowing the sensing device to work under more severe conditions such as humidity, water, and the like. In the embodiment of the present invention, there is only onerecess15, and only onesealing element150 is placed, reducing the height h of theprobe structure100. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the sealingelement150 is a rubber sealing ring.
• In other embodiments of the present invention, theprobe structure100 may not be provided with the sealingelement150 as long as it can be designed without affecting the detection and transmission of the analyte parameter by theprobe130, and is not specifically limited herein.
• FIG. 4 depicts a schematic view showing the structure of theprobe structure100 mounted on the base10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• After thesecond fastener part120 and thefirst fastener part110 are fastened with each other, theprobe structure100 is mounted to thebase10. In the embodiment of the present invention, after theprobe structure100 is mounted to thebase10, theprobe structure100 can be allowed to be slightly shaken, and theprobe structure100 is not necessarily required to be completely locked on the base10 as long as theprobe130's ability to detect the analyte parameter is not affected.
• FIG. 5atoFIG. 5dare schematic structural views of the first fastener part and the second fastener part before being fastened in different embodiments of the present invention.
• FIG. 5ashows the structure of thefirst fastener part110 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and a plurality of hooks compose the first fastener part110i. In order to match the hooks of thefirst fastener part110, thesecond fastener part120 also includes hooks, which can be fastened with thefirst fastener part110.
• In the embodiment of the present invention, the hooks protrudes from the inner bottom surface of thebase10, and the distance between the top surface of thefirst fastener part110 and the inner bottom surface of the base10 (the height dimension of the hook) is s, s≤1.5 mm. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, s=0.8 mm. In another embodiment of the invention, s=1 mm.
• FIG. 5bshows the structure of thefirst fastener part210 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and multiple holes compose thefirst fastener part210. At this time, thesecond fastener part220 includes blocks, being matched with the holes structure of thefirst fastener part210. The inner wall of the holes and the outer wall of the blocks are respectively provided with matching bumps to facilitate mutual fastening. At this time, the fastening positions between thefirst fastener part210 and thesecond fastener part220 are located inside the bottom wall of thebase20.
• It should be noted that, in other embodiments of the present invention, after the fastening of thefirst fastener part210 and thesecond fastener part220, thesecond fastener part220 can also pass through thehole210 to protrude out of thebase20. The outer part of thesecond fastener part220 from thebase20 is not limited as long as it does not affect the detection of the probe or the wearing of the sensing device.
• FIG. 5cshows the structure of thefirst fastener part310 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of hooks compose thefirst fastener part310. Thesecond fastener part320 also includes blocks, being matched with the slots structure of thefirst fastener part310. Similarly, the fastening positions between thefirst fastener part310 and thesecond fastener part320 are located inside the bottom wall of thebase30.
• FIG. 5dshows the structure of thefirst fastener part410 according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and thefirst fastener part410 includes blocks. Thesecond fastener part420 also comprises blocks.
• Similarly, in the embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the top of the blocks of thefirst fastener part410 and the inner bottom surface of the base40 (the height dimension of the blocks) is s, s≤1.5 mm. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, s=0.5 mm. In still another embodiment of the invention, s=0.3 mm.
• Obviously, the structure of the first fastener part and the second fastener part can be reversed as described above. For example, the second fastener part may be holes or slots, and the first fastener part includes blocks corresponding to the second fastener part. Or the first fastener part is a plurality of combinations of hooks, holes, slots and blocks. It is obvious that the second fastener part is also a plurality of combinations of the above structures, so as to be fastened with the first fastener part. There is no specific restriction herein, as long as it can satisfy the purpose of matching each other.
• According to another embodiment, the number of the hook, the hole, the slot or the block is only one. That is the first fastener part is a hook, a hole, a slot or a block, and the number of the second fastener part is also one, corresponding to the first fastener part, which can also fasten the first fastener part and the second fastener part. And it is not limited herein.
• Similarly, in another embodiment of the present invention, the first fastener part may also protrude from the outer bottom surface of the base, that is, the first fastener part protrudes from the outer surface of the base toward the skin surface. After the second fastener part and the first fastener part are matched to each other according to the above structure and size, they both can still be fastened with each other without affecting the operation of the sensing device. At this time, when the first fastener part is a block or a hook, the distance s is between the top of the first fastener part and the outer bottom surface of the base, s≤1.5 mm.
• It should be noted that since the probe structure itself is provided with the second fastener part, it can be mounted on the base without using other extra or additional structural units. Therefore, even if the first fastener part is a block or a hook protruding from the bottom surface of the base, the height dimension s of the first fastener part is still relatively small, and the fastening positions between the first fastener part and the second fastener part are much closer to the bottom of the base. After the probe structure is installed, the top of the probe structure is lowered, further reducing the thickness of the entire sensing device.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of atransmitter structure1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 7atoFIG. 7care schematic structural views of thebase10, theprobe structure100, and thetransmitter structure1000 installed at different viewing angles according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Thetransmitter structure1000 includes atransmitter180 and atransmitter housing160.
• Thetransmitter180 is disposed inside thetransmitter housing160. Thetransmitter180 is coupled toconnection area140 to receive signals generated byprobe130.
• Thetransmitter housing160 is provided with aconnection hole170 that matches the shape of theprobe structure100. When thetransmitter structure1000 is coupled to theprobe structure100, theprobe structure100 is located within theconnection hole170. Here, matching the shape of theprobe structure100 means that the shape of theconnection hole170 will be designed solely according to theprobe structure100 without considering the shape of other structure units. As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the height h of theprobe structure100 is reduced, thus ultimately reducing the thickness w of the transmitter structure1000 (as shown inFIG. 7c).
• Obviously, as described above, when the top end of theprobe structure100 is also provided with thesecond fastener part120, the connectinghole170 is also provided with a fastening structure matching the top end of thesecond fastener part120. This will result in stronger connection between thetransmitter structure1000 and theprobe structure100.
• In the structure of one kind of sensing device, not only a positioning part is provided on the base to prevent the probe structure after mounting from rotating, but also a fastener part is disposed on the base, and the probe structure is not provided with other fastener parts matched with the base fastener part. Therefore, the probe structure needs to be locked by using other additional hooks, snap rings, etc. The combination of the hook or the snap ring with the positioning part attaches the probe structure to the base, which increases the number of structural units, the number of steps of the fastening procedure and the difficulty of structure design. Moreover, due to the presence of the positioning part, the height of the fastener part on the base is relatively large, and the structure is also more complicated. At the same time, an additional snap ring or hook is placed at a farther position from the bottom surface of the base, and the fastening position is also farther from the bottom surface of the base. So that the structures/positions and spaces for placing the higher fastener part (snap ring or hook) or the higher fastening position have to be designed in/on the transmitter housing, thus increasing the thickness of the transmitter structure and worsening user experience.
• In the sensing device of the embodiment of the present invention, the probe structure itself is provided with a second fastener part, and the second fastener part is disposed at the end of the probe structure, so that the final fastening position is closer to the bottom surface of the base, thereby reducing the height of the probe structure. Secondly, the height of the first fastener part is small, which further makes the fastening position closer to the bottom surface of the base. After the probe structure is installed, the height of the top of the probe structure is lowered. The transmitter housing does not require additional space and structure/position to match the first fastener part or fastening position, further reducing the thickness of the transmitter. In the embodiment of the present invention, the fewer fastening structural units in the sensing device, the smaller height of the probe structure, and the smaller thickness of the transmitter structure reduce the overall thickness dimension w of the sensing device in this present invention by more than 30%, compared with the prior art.
• When the sensing device of the embodiment of the present invention is used for Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system, the transmitter transmits the glucose parameter information obtained in real time to a remote device (such as a receiver, a handset, a PDM, a mobile terminal, an internet terminal, etc.). After the thinner sensing device is attached to the surface of the user's skin, the degree of interference of the user's dressing action on the sensing device is reduced. Especially when the clothes are thick, the user will have a more comfortable experience using a thinner sensing device. At the same time, the thinner-sized sensing device further reduces the degree of influence on the user's stretching movements and other daily activities resulting in a superior user experience.
• In summary, the embodiment of the invention discloses a sensing device. By designing each structure, the thickness dimension of the sensing device is finally reduced, reducing the volume of the sensing device and enhancing user experience.
• While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments may be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A sensing device, comprising:

a base, wherein the base is provided with a first fastener part;

a probe structure, wherein the probe structure comprises a second fastener part, a probe and a connection area, the second fastener part is able to be fastened with the first fastener part, and the probe is disposed for detecting a analyte parameter in a body fluid, and the connection area is electrically connected to the probe, the second fastener part is disposed at an end of the probe structure, and the second fastener part is fastened with the first fastener part to mount the probe structure to the base; and

a transmitter structure, wherein the transmitter structure includes a transmitter housing and a transmitter disposed inside the transmitter housing, the transmitter housing is provided with a connection hole, a shape of the connection hole matches a shape of the probe structure, and when the transmitter structure is mounted to the base, the probe structure is located in the connection hole, and the transmitter is electrically connected to the connection area to receive a signal generated by the probe.

2. The sensing device ofclaim 1, wherein

a side wall of the probe structure is provided with a sealing element.

3. The sensing device ofclaim 2, wherein

the side wall of the probe structure is provided with a rubber sealing ring.

4. The sensing device ofclaim 1, wherein

the first fastener part is provided on/in a bottom of the base.

5. The sensing device ofclaim 4, wherein

the first fastener part includes one of or a combination of at least one slot, or one hole, or one hook or one block.

6. The sensing device ofclaim 5, wherein

the first fastener part includes holes or slots, and the second fastener part includes blocks fastened with the holes or the slots of the first fastener part.

7. The sensing device ofclaim 5, wherein

the first fastener part includes a plurality of blocks, and the second fastener part includes a plurality of holes or slots fastened with the blocks of the first fastener part.

8. The sensing device ofclaim 5, wherein

the first fastener part and the second fastener part are both hooks that can be fastened with each other.

9. The sensing device ofclaim 5, wherein

a fastening position between the first fastener part and the second fastener part is located in a bottom wall of the base, or located at a inner/outer surface of the bottom of the base.

10. The sensing device ofclaim 5, wherein

the first fastener part includes a plurality of blocks or hooks, and a distance between a top of the first fastener part and a bottom surface of the base is s, and s≤1.5 mm.

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