Methods and systems for detecting the hydration of sensors

US9976978B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC. · US

Inventors

• Rajiv Shah · Rancho Palos Verdes, US
• Wayne A. Morgan · San Fernando, US
• David Y. Choy · San Gabriel, US
• James L. Henke · Simi Valley, US
• Bahar Reghabi · Santa Monica, US
• Gopikrishnan Soundararajan · San Fernando, US
• Peter Schultz · Twin Lakes, US
• Udo Hoss · Ulm, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 3, 2017
• Grant date: May 22, 2018
• Expiry date: Jul 3, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12Q1/006
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A sensor system includes a sensor and a sensor electronics device. The sensor includes a plurality of electrodes. The sensor electronics device includes a connection detection device, a power source, and a delay circuit. The connection detection device determines if the sensor electronics device is connected to the sensor and transmits a connection signal. The delay circuit receives the connection signal, waits a preset hydration time, and couples the regulated voltage from the power source to an electrode in the sensor after the preset hydration time has elapsed. Alternatively, the sensor electronics device may include an electrical detection circuit and a microcontroller. The electrical detection circuit determines if the plurality of electrodes are hydrated and generates an interrupt if the electrodes are hydrated. A microcontroller receives the interrupt and transmits a signal representative of a voltage to an electrode of the plurality of electrodes.