Patch delivery device with skin contact sensor
Inventors
Rytz, Bernhard • Scheurer, Simon • Kappeler, Krista
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12076526-B2
Publication Date
2024-09-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A patch delivery device includes a bottom housing part, a delivery element for subcutaneous delivery of a liquid to a patient, an adhesive patch for attaching the bottom housing part to the skin of the patient, a capacitive sensor with an electrode configuration including a plurality of skin contact sensitive electrodes, and a release liner covering a patient-side adhesive layer of the adhesive patch prior to adhering to the patient's skin. The release liner includes an electrically conductive area extending over at least a portion of the electrode configuration of the capacitive sensor before being removed from the adhesive patch. Providing the release liner with a conductive area gives rise to a discernible change in capacitive response of the sensor electrodes upon release liner removal that enables sensing a removal of a release liner covering a patient-side adhesive layer prior to attachment to the skin of a patient.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a patch delivery device that includes a bottom housing part, a cannula or injection needle for subcutaneous delivery of a liquid to a patient, and an adhesive patch for adhering the bottom housing part to a patient's skin. The patch delivery device further includes a capacitive sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes coupled to a capacitance measuring unit, and before adhering the bottom housing part to the patient's skin, the device uses a release liner covering a patient-side adhesive layer of the adhesive patch.
The core feature is that the release liner comprises at least one conductive area arranged on a surface of a non-conducting layer of the release liner. The conductive area extends over an electrode configuration such that it interacts with the capacitive sensor electrodes during release liner removal, providing a discernible, time-varying change in electrode self-capacitance and/or shielding behavior upon removal of the release liner.
The capacitive sensor electrodes are arranged in relation to the adhesive patch and the cannula or injection needle such that sensor signals are obtained for at least approaching skin and removing the release liner. The documented electrode layouts include configurations with an aperture electrode and auxiliary electrodes and configurations with at least three aperture electrodes arranged in a circle around an aperture of the adhesive patch at the cannula or injection-needle location.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00010, and clm-00016, each centered on a patch delivery device or sensor patch that uses a capacitive sensor with a plurality of electrodes and a release liner having at least one conductive area on a surface of a non-conducting layer. Across the independent claims, inventive coverage is provided by the conductive area of the release liner interacting with the capacitive sensor electrode configuration, including sensor integration and electrode/liner spatial relationships.
Release liner conductive area on a non-conductive layer surface
A release liner covering a patient-side adhesive layer of the adhesive patch prior to adhering the bottom housing part to the patient's skin, wherein the release liner comprises at least one conductive area arranged on a surface of a non-conducting layer of the release liner.
Capacitive sensor with electrode plurality coupled to a capacitance measuring unit
A capacitive sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes coupled to a capacitance measuring unit, wherein the electrodes are part of the capacitive sensor used by the patch delivery device.
Sensor patch electrodes integrated in or printed onto the adhesive patch and connected to a capacitance measuring unit
A capacitive sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes integrated in or printed onto the adhesive patch, and adapted to be connected to a capacitance measuring unit of the delivery device, together with a release liner comprising a non-conductive layer and at least one conductive area arranged on a surface of the non-conductive layer.
Release liner conductive area extending over at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes
A release liner covering a patient-side adhesive layer of the adhesive patch prior to adhering the bottom housing part to the patient's skin, wherein the release liner comprises at least one conductive area arranged on a surface of the release liner and extending over at least a portion of the plurality of electrodes.
The claim coverage focuses on a capacitive-sensing patch delivery system where a release liner includes at least one conductive area on a non-conducting layer surface and where this conductive area extends over portions of the capacitive sensor electrode configuration, including sensor integration on the adhesive patch in one independent claim.
Stated Advantages
Provides real-time detection that the release liner covering the patient-side adhesive has been removed.
Distinguishes from test/dummy skin contact using a discernible, time-varying change in electrode self-capacitance/shielding behavior.
Supports verification of proper skin attachment before needle insertion.
Documented Applications
Real-time verification workflows for a patch delivery device using capacitive sensor signals for approaching skin, removing a release liner, and performing regular injection.
Sensor patch configurations for patch delivery devices, including electrode layouts with aperture and auxiliary electrodes and electrode arrangements with at least three aperture electrodes arranged in a circle around the adhesive patch aperture.
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