Blood glucose measuring device and method

Abstract

A blood glucose tracking system and method that measures the transmitted microwave energy transmitted to and received by blood vessels in a patient's desired target area to determine appropriate blood glucose levels in real time and in vivo. A measuring unit includes a transmitter operably connected to an antenna to deliver energy to appropriate subcutaneous blood vessels. The measuring unit determines the received energy power value in the blood vessels associated with the desired target area. The measured energy power value is compared to a calibration value, and the difference is used to determine the resulting blood glucose value. The determined blood glucose value can be further adapted using additional sensing values ​​to compensate for biological and environmental factors related to the patient. The final determined blood glucose value can be displayed for reading and / or transmitted and stored for record for further reference.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to non-invasive in vivo blood glucose measurement systems, and more particularly to a personalized subcutaneous blood glucose measurement and tracking system for real-time, real-time readings of blood glucose values. Background Art

[0002] For decades, people have been trying to develop a system for directly reading "real-time," non-invasively measuring glucose levels in the blood. So far, these efforts have been unsuccessful, mainly because the inherent properties of glucose itself make it easy to dissolve in the blood, and the blood is sealed inside the human body, making it difficult to measure glucose in the blood directly and non-invasively.

[0003] Historically, optical methods have been favored in attempts to measure blood sugar levels using visible light, infrared light, or by detecting polarization changes caused by changes in glucose levels in the blood. These efforts have repeatedly proven futile, as have other attempts to directly and non-invasively measure blood sugar levels.

[0004] In reality, currently available continuous glucose monitoring systems actually measure glucose levels in the interstitial fluid, not directly blood glucose levels. As a result, such "blood glucose" systems or meters do not provide "real-time" blood glucose readings. In addition, such systems have a huge time delay - typically about 20 minutes to obtain a correlation between the interstitial fluid measurement and the blood glucose reading.

[0005] Although it is generally accepted that blood glucose levels can be measured fairly accurately in vitro by microwave means under controlled laboratory conditions, prior art measurement devices lack the ability to make these measurements in vivo. Although clinically useful measurements may be possible under such fixed laboratory conditions, to date there have been no mechanisms or implementations that allow actual non-invasive blood glucose readings to be made "in the field," let alone to develop these simple laboratory measurement devices into a system that is suitable for everyday use with actual living organisms and that exhibits individual differences and idiosyncrasies.

[0006] In view of the above, there is a need for a practical (direct reading) blood glucose measurement system that is non-invasive, can be used in vivo, and does not exhibit the measurement variations and time delays of the prior art, which are "blood glucose" meters that are actually "interstitial fluid" measuring devices. Therefore, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a novel blood glucose tracking system that provides a new, optimized and effective method for measuring, tracking and monitoring blood glucose that is non-invasive, can directly measure blood glucose, and can be done in vivo without measurement variations and time delays. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention relates to a blood glucose tracking system and method that operates differently than prior art "blood glucose" meters and previously attempted non-invasive measurement devices. Rather than attempting to replicate the specialized and optimized equipment required to measure glucose levels in a solution in a controlled laboratory environment, the present invention achieves accurate calculation of glucose levels directly from the blood by measuring the amount of overall emitted microwave energy transmitted to and received by the blood vessel in a defined and fixed target area, and then comparing this instantaneous measurement to a previously calibrated value. The difference between the instantaneous power reading measurement and the previously calibrated power reading measurement is analyzed and calculated to determine the resulting blood glucose value, which can also be adapted by additional sensing values ​​to compensate for different biological or environmental factors or changes relative to the individual patient. Further, the determined blood glucose value can be displayed for reading and / or transmitted and stored for record for future reference.

[0008] Unlike all currently available continuous "glucose" meters (which, as previously mentioned, actually measure interstitial fluid, not blood glucose directly), the blood glucose tracking system according to the present invention actually reads the instantaneous glucose concentration in the bloodstream. In addition, unlike prior art instruments that read interstitial fluid, the system reads and provides blood glucose values ​​in real time, without any time delay between the measurement and the actual blood glucose reading. Further, this real-time measurement allows blood glucose levels to be measured and monitored in vivo using a compact measurement unit that can preferably be worn by an individual for in vivo use.

[0009] The systems and methods of the present invention are inherently different from other prior art systems and methods primarily because the present invention involves a direct absorption measurement system and uniquely does not rely on measuring the transmitted energy from a transmitting component through the skin and / or other body part layers to a receiving component.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for blood glucose measurement utilizes a short duty cycle, high pulse power / very low average power microwave energy source, preferably emitting radio frequency energy. In blood components, water is approximately 92% of the whole. It is well known that glucose containing water absorbs microwave energy to a greater extent than water containing no glucose. By utilizing this phenomenon, there is a practical approach that can ultimately detect and measure instantaneous in vivo glucose levels in the bloodstream non-invasively. According to a preferred embodiment, the microwave energy from the energy source is fed into an antenna assembly, which is designed to focus the energy and emit it toward appropriate subcutaneous blood vessels, that is, blood vessels closest to the surface of the skin. In a further preferred embodiment, the energy source and antenna assembly are disposed in a housing, which can be mounted on the patient's body near the subcutaneous blood vessels to perform measurements in the desired target area, more preferably can be mounted on the patient's arm, and even more preferably can be mounted on the patient's wrist, for example as part of a bracelet or watch.

[0011] A unique and important part of the blood glucose measurement system and method according to the present invention is the use of an individually customized radio frequency (RF) mask for each target patient and the desired target area for that individual. Such an RF mask allows the emitted microwave energy to reach only a precisely delineated target area, such as a specific segment of a near-surface blood vessel. In addition, by optimizing the antenna radiation lobe pattern, the selected transmit frequency, and the power level used, the microwave energy can be further contained, formed, and specifically directed to the location and depth of a specific area determined to contain the "near-surface" blood vessel. The same RF mask that limits the area to which the RF energy is directed and allows it to be emitted also inherently limits the measurement of energy that would otherwise be absorbed outside the desired target area, thereby greatly improving the accuracy of the readings using the system and method of the present invention.

[0012] In one aspect of the invention, microwave energy is contained, shaped and directed specifically toward a desired target area, to a depth in a specific area confirmed to contain subcutaneous blood vessels. The antenna assembly is preferably located near the desired target area. In embodiments, the antenna radiation lobe pattern, transmit frequency and power level may be varied relative to a specific patient and target area on said patient.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power levels required to reach the target subcutaneous blood vessels are achieved by using pulsed radio wave transmissions, similar to those used by radar transmitters.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, for each calibration, a known glucose value and its corresponding delivered power value may be placed in a storage buffer. As the test subject's glucose level changes, this will cause the average power level received by the blood flow through the system to rise or fall relative to the power value associated with the last calibration value. In each subsequent periodic microwave transmission, the measurement unit will record all new data and calculate the blood glucose value based on the extrapolation of the delivered / received power level changes between the instantaneous power level and the previous calibration value.

[0015] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the embodiments and their features, as emphasized in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 An illustrative embodiment of a blood glucose tracking system for non-invasive in vivo blood glucose measurement according to the present invention is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 Another embodiment of a blood glucose tracking system according to the present invention is shown, wherein the system is embodied in a watch.

[0018] Figure 3 A further embodiment of a blood glucose tracking system according to the invention is shown, in which the auxiliary housing including the antenna is connected to a watch or bracelet equipped with a transmitter, ideally worn on the wrist.

[0019] Figure 4 An illustrative embodiment of a blood glucose tracking system is shown, whereby data related to determined blood glucose levels is provided to a computer, display, or memory buffer as desired.

[0020] Figure 5 Another illustrative embodiment of a blood glucose tracking system comprising two transmitters is shown.

[0021] Figure 6 A mask is shown for use on a patient to limit the area into which energy transmitted from a measuring device according to the invention is allowed to be emitted.

[0022] Figure 7 A flow chart illustrating a test sequence according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Reference Figure 1, shows a schematic embodiment of a blood glucose tracking system for non-invasive in vivo blood glucose measurement according to the present invention. The system generally includes: a measuring unit 10, having a microwave energy source (e.g., a transmitter 12), operably connected to an antenna assembly via a coaxial cable or waveguide, the antenna assembly generally including an antenna 14, and the coaxial cable or waveguide is generally represented by the reference numeral 16. The transmitter 12 and the antenna 14 can be arranged in a common antenna housing 18 as shown, or in separate units, as long as they are operably connected to each other. The antenna assembly also preferably includes a controller / processor 24, which is used to measure the amount of power / energy transmitted by the antenna 14. The transmitter 12 can also be in operably communication with the controller 24.

[0024] The transmitter 12 comprises a very low average power microwave energy source and short duty cycle, high pulse power, preferably emitting radio frequency energy, and more preferably emitting pulsed radio wave emissions similar to those used by radar transmitters. The transmitter 12 feeds into an antenna 14 to focus and transmit the microwave energy to an appropriate subcutaneous blood vessel 20 located at a desired target area 50 of the patient. In use, the measuring device 10 measures the microwave energy absorbed in the nearby blood vessel 20 to assist in determining the blood glucose level in the target area 50. More specifically, the controller 24 measures the power delivered to the blood vessel 20 by determining how much of the energy generated by the transmitter 12 is output by the antenna 14. As shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the antenna housing 18 is placed on or near the patient's skin S, near a subcutaneous blood vessel 20 for measurement, such as on the patient's wrist.

[0025] Reference Figure 7 Schematic diagram of a system that can accurately calculate the patient's blood glucose level 50 within a determined and fixed target area by measuring how much of the total emitted microwave energy is transmitted to and received by the subcutaneous or "near-surface" blood vessels 20, preferably absorbed into the subcutaneous or "near-surface" blood vessels 20 in the target area 50. The instantaneous, real-time measurement value obtained directly from the blood flow can be compared with a predetermined calibration value. The difference or "increase" value between the measured value and the calibration value can be analyzed and calculated to provide a resulting blood glucose value. In a preferred embodiment, an algorithm that associates power energy values ​​with blood glucose values ​​is used to determine the resulting blood glucose value. Such an algorithm is preferably stored in the controller 24. The calibration value can be stored in a storage buffer 22 provided as part of the controller 24.

[0026] The desired subcutaneous blood vessels 20 for accurate measurement according to the present invention are typically found near the wrist of an individual, although the system of the present invention may also be used with other parts of the body without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention. Thus, the antenna 14 is preferably positioned near the desired target area by placing the antenna housing 18 on the skin surface S near the desired target area 50. A unique and critical part of the system of the present invention is the use of a separately customized RF mask 52, which is typically located at Figure 6 As illustrated in the foregoing, for each target patient and desired target location 50, it allows the microwave energy delivered by the antenna 14 to reach only a precisely delineated target region, such as a specific segment of a near-surface blood vessel 20. By optimizing the antenna radiation lobe pattern, the selected transmit frequency, and the power level used, the microwave energy is further contained, shaped, and directed specifically to the depth of the specific region containing the "near-surface" blood vessel 20. Since the skin S in these regions is very thin, not only is it easy to actually see the blood vessel location, but it should also be noted that these regions have almost nothing in the path between the antenna 14 and the target blood vessel 20 that would excessively attenuate or interfere with the transmission path.

[0027] The system and method of the present invention are inherently different from other prior art systems and methods because the present invention is a direct absorption measurement system and uniquely does not rely on measuring the transmitted energy from the transmitting component through the skin and / or other body layer to the receiving component.

[0028] In use, an RF mask 52 is created for an individual patient and then placed over a desired target area 50 and temporarily adhered to the patient's skin S, as shown. Figure 6 As shown, it is then used with the measurement unit 10 described herein for blood glucose measurement and tracking. The same RF mask 52 that limits the RF energy and allows the area to be emitted also inherently limits the measurement of energy that would otherwise be absorbed outside the target area 50, thereby greatly improving the accuracy of the readings using the system and method of the present invention. The preferred method for creating the personalized RF mask 52 is described in more detail below.

[0029] As previously described, the power levels required to reach the target subcutaneous blood vessels 20 are achieved using pulsed radio wave transmissions, similar to those used by radar transmitters. Although the "peak" power levels may be relatively high (in order to penetrate the skin to the necessary depth), the duty cycle of these transmissions is very low, which results in very low "average" power levels. This makes the wireless transmitter 12 not only very energy efficient, but also does not cause any perceptible temperature rise in the individual wearing the system, unlike the continuous wave transmissions commonly used in laboratory equipment.

[0030] The extrapolation process for determining the amount of energy absorbed (e.g., power reading measurement) may use one or more of the following processes alone or in combination:

[0031] In the first method, the antenna assembly measures one of the peak power level and / or average power level of forward transmission at a specific radio frequency over a specific time range. More specifically, as microwave pulses are transmitted from the antenna 14, their peak transmitted power level and / or average power level are measured by the controller 24. The "increase" value of the measured transmitted energy power level is then determined compared to the calibration value recorded at the last calibration reading / measurement. The system identifies a newly calculated blood glucose reading through an algorithm, which corresponds to the measured energy power level. More specifically, the algorithm correlates a specific blood glucose level with the energy absorption data. The calculated / determined blood glucose reading can be provided to a display and / or storage buffer as needed.

[0032] In the second method, rather than reading the forward power level actually delivered and / or accepted by the target vessel 20, the system measures the reflected energy power level in the vessel 20 of the desired target area 50 to determine an "increase" value compared to the calibration value. In this case, a lower reflected power reading will indicate a higher energy acceptance in the target area 50, which in turn will indicate and track higher glucose levels. The higher the glucose content in the blood, the greater the willingness of the blood to absorb energy, which will reduce the reflected power. As with the first method, the system algorithmically recognizes the newly calculated blood glucose reading and calculates the "increase" value. The calculated / determined blood glucose reading can be provided to a display and / or storage buffer as needed.

[0033] In a third method, the system measures the standing wave ratio (SWR) reading from the transmitter 12 at a particular radio frequency and, based on this measurement, calculates an "increase" value relative to the calibration reading. In this case, the SWR reading will generally track the blood glucose level, with the SWR reading increasing as the blood glucose level decreases and decreasing as the blood glucose level increases. When the calculated "increase" value is again provided to the display and / or storage buffer as needed, it can be used again by the algorithm to determine the appropriate blood glucose reading.

[0034] The various processes listed above all measure power at a fixed frequency. According to a fourth method, the transmitter 12 is commanded to sequentially change its transmission frequency in a predetermined manner, repeating the frequency step from low to high or from high to low within a predetermined frequency range. The energy received from each individual transmitted radio frequency used will measure the peak power or average power delivered, and then compare it with other frequencies in the same measurement cycle. The change in absorption rate between frequencies will track the change in glucose level, and one or more extrapolation methods will be used to extrapolate blood glucose values. In one embodiment used with this method, the location of the frequency that receives the maximum energy absorption can be dynamically analyzed, and then this location will become the "center" or "pointer" frequency. The "pointer" frequency is compared with the last calibrated "pointer" frequency to create an offset value. The offset value will be applied to the scaling algorithm to determine the calculated blood glucose value, which can then be provided to the display and / or storage buffer as needed.

[0035] A similar approach can utilize the frequency hopping method of the fourth method, but instead of solving for and analyzing a "center" or "pointer" frequency, this method analyzes the energy variations in all of the various transmitted frequencies to indicate the "spread" or bandwidth of those frequencies that show microwave energy absorption activity above a predetermined threshold, and then compares the instantaneous spread of those frequencies above these thresholds to the spread of the reading obtained from the last calibration. The algorithm will analyze the increase or decrease in spread to derive a difference value, which is then applied to the algorithm to calculate the blood glucose reading, which can then be provided to the display and / or storage buffer as needed.

[0036] At each subsequent periodic microwave emission, the measurement unit 10 will record all new data and determine the blood glucose value based on the extrapolation of the delivered / received power level changes between the instantaneous power level and the previous calibration value. For example, if the calibration entry results in an immediate blood glucose reading of 100, and the blood at that glucose level has received 100 milliwatts of power from the transmitter 12 (assuming the system uses a 1:1 algorithm), and a new test reading shows that the power delivered to the target area 50 has increased by 10% (i.e., 110 milliwatts), the blood glucose level will be calculated as 110 mg / dl.

[0037] In addition to the basic transmitter 12 and power sensing via the antenna assembly, the blood glucose tracking system and method according to the present invention can also utilize additional optional compensation methods to improve the accuracy of blood glucose readings. These methods include the following:

[0038] (A) A pulse rate sensor is incorporated to compensate for changes in the rate of blood flow through the blood vessel 20. Faster or slower blood flow will change the rate at which energy is accepted and may adversely affect the calculation results. To compensate for this, a pulse rate sensor will optionally be incorporated to allow dynamic compensation for this variable.

[0039] (B) Skin temperature sensors in close proximity to the desired target area 50 allow temperature compensation to be applied to optimize response to changes in vascular diameter (eg, vasodilation; vasoconstriction) due to changes in body core temperature.

[0040] (C) By measuring the galvanic response of the skin, preferably in conjunction with skin temperature monitoring, it is possible to determine the level of sweat production in the area of ​​the measurement unit 10, which may distort the microwave absorption rate. The system can therefore compensate for sweat production based on the measurement of skin current data.

[0041] (D) Although blood water content averages 92%, hydration levels can vary widely among patients. Periodic microwave energy measurements at a frequency more resonant to water (rather than a frequency more resonant to glucose) can be used to continuously calibrate the measurement unit 10 to account for changes in the patient's hydration level. Either a dual band microwave transmitter, or a wideband single band transmitter capable of operating with wideband variations, can allow one frequency or transmitter to be dedicated to monitoring levels while the other frequency or transmitter would be optimized for glucose detection in the manner described above.

[0042] Additional measuring and display devices may be provided together with the measuring unit 10. For example, Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the display screen 26 may be arranged on the antenna housing 18. In addition, the measuring unit 10 may be part of or take the form of a bracelet or watch 28 worn on the wrist, or may comprise a local unit attached to the skin S, for example by an adhesive. Figure 5 , may further include an additional transmitter device 30 for transmitting data from the measuring unit 10 to another unit 32, such as a calculator, tablet computer or smart phone, for displaying and / or recording blood glucose measurements made by the measuring unit 10. For example, the measuring unit 10 in the form of a bracelet or watch 28 may store the measurement data and then be synchronized with the calculator 32 for additional storage, monitoring and analysis of the patient's blood glucose measurements.

[0043] The blood glucose tracking system according to the present invention may be a discrete "stand-alone" system, such as those described above and Figure 1As shown, or can be incorporated into an unrelated item worn on the wrist (such as a watch or jewelry), utilizing the near-surface blood vessels 20 of the wrist in a non-obvious manner. In the example of a watch 28 containing the transmitter 12 and its associated control components, a small fixed or flexible portion of the micro-waveguide 34 can be connected to the body of the watch 28, and the other end will be connected to a removable auxiliary "sidecar" antenna housing 36 that is placed over the desired target area to be measured. Thus, such an auxiliary antenna housing 36 including the antenna 14 and its associated control components 24 can be attached to the watch 28 for measurement, and can be removed when not needed. When the housings 18 and 36 are installed, the antenna 14 can be connected to the transmitter 12 via a waveguide or coaxial cable 34 that passes through the strap of the watch 28. In the example of Figure 2 In the case of the watch or "smart watch" shown, into which a blood glucose tracking system according to the present system may be integrated, the existing digital readout 26 of the watch 28 may be used to display the instantaneous blood glucose reading.

[0044] Many other creative physical embodiments may be utilized without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention, such as by incorporating metal shielding to limit antenna energy to a proximate desired target area 50, or a battery to power an RF transmitter 12 or other device located within the watchband segment.

[0045] The system may also include a separate data transmitter 30 (in addition to the sampling transmitter 12, as described above) to relay raw or calculated data output to a separate display 32 or storage device 38, such as a calculator, tablet computer, or smart phone, or to a device such as an insulin pump 40. Depending on the manufacturer or model of such device, the data output will be sent in an appropriate proprietary format for display and / or storage.

[0046] According to the system and method of the present invention, an instantaneous blood glucose reading is derived by comparing the difference between a "control" reading, in which the blood glucose value is known, and an instantaneous reading, in which the blood glucose value is unknown and needs to be determined. The "control" reading can be a calibration value, which can be adjusted after each such calibration measurement is made using the system (e.g., the new control measurement value becomes the calibration value for the next measurement). In order to accurately extrapolate the instantaneous glucose reading with the received microwave energy level, regular calibration can be performed by appropriate measurement methods (e.g., using traditional "finger stick" blood glucose testing methods) or other methods of accurately determining actual blood glucose levels. The data will provide a standard reference measurement to the measurement unit 10, which is then used to compare a series of readings at specific body and body target locations in the individual (e.g., certain blood vessels in the wrist) to provide and track subsequent blood glucose readings.

[0047] To create Figure 6The unique, individualized RF antenna mask 52 shown can utilize two preferred methods of mask creation. The first method is a "manual" method that uses a piece of polyester film or other flexible, transparent material that is temporarily wrapped around an individual's wrist or other location associated with the desired target area 50 and secured in place. A marking pen is used to outline the exact target area 50 for the antenna 14 along the width of the subject's arm or other body part to provide a reference guide for subsequent positioning. Once removed, the flexible sheet is placed over the blank antenna mask and the overlay is used to guide the cutting of the mask opening area. Once the RF mask 52 is created, it can be placed over the desired target area 50 and temporarily adhered to the patient's skin S and used with the measurement unit 10 described herein to measure and track blood glucose levels.

[0048] The second preferred RF mask creation method is an "automatic" method by which the desired target area 50 is photographed or scanned in the visible and / or thermal infrared spectrum. The thermal data can further be used to establish the optimal sensing area. The overall area around the desired target area 50 is also physically measured. The obtained photo data is fed into a laser cutter or CNC machine, which will scale the cutting information based on the measurements and then automatically select and outline the unmasked area to meet the optimization goals. The cutting machine can create the shielding opening directly in the non-RF transparent material sheet. This automatic selection process can be the result of the collected visible information or the collected IR thermal information or both.

[0049] The above description of the embodiments of the present invention is presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the disclosed forms. In view of the above disclosure, obvious modifications and variations are possible. The described embodiments are selected to best illustrate the principles of the present invention and its practical application, so that those of ordinary skill in the art can utilize the present invention in various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the intended specific use.

Claims

1. A blood sugar measuring device, comprising: an antenna housing having an antenna assembly disposed therein, the antenna housing being adapted for placement on or near the skin of a patient proximate a desired target area including a blood vessel to be measured, and the antenna assembly including an antenna and a controller; a transmitter operably connected to the antenna and the controller for transmitting microwave energy through the antenna into the blood vessel at the target area, wherein the transmitter feeds into the antenna to focus and transmit microwave energy to an appropriate subcutaneous blood vessel located at a desired target area of ​​the patient; and the controller being configured to measure the amount of power / energy transmitted by the antenna by determining how much of the energy generated by the transmitter is output by the antenna to measure the power delivered to the blood vessel; wherein the antenna assembly measures microwave energy absorbed in the blood vessels in the target area and determines a measurement of absorbed microwave energy that can be correlated to a patient's blood glucose level; wherein the antenna assembly measures the actual energy power level delivered to the blood vessel in the target area; wherein the antenna assembly measures a power level of reflected energy delivered to the blood vessel of the target area; and Therein, the antenna assembly measures a standing wave ratio reading representative of energy absorption in the blood vessels of the target area.

2. The blood sugar measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller compares the absorbed microwave energy measurement to a calibration value to identify a difference between the values ​​and then determines a blood glucose value based on the difference.

3. The blood sugar measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The blood vessels in the desired target area are subcutaneous blood vessels.

4. The blood sugar measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The measurement device is adapted to be placed on the patient's arm and proximate to the desired target area.

5. The blood sugar measuring device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The measuring device is adapted to be placed on the patient's wrist.

6. The blood sugar measuring device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Also included is a strap to which the antenna housing is attached, the strap being adapted to be wrapped around the patient's arm.

7. The blood sugar measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a visual display device for displaying measurement data corresponding to the absorbed microwave energy measurements.

8. The blood sugar measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a second transmitter for transmitting the measurement data to an external device for at least one of displaying and storing the measurement data.

9. The blood sugar measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microwave energy is in the form of microwave pulses.

10. A method for measuring blood sugar in a patient, comprising: With known blood glucose values, establishing calibration values ​​for microwave absorption in blood vessels within a desired target region of the patient; emitting microwave energy into the blood vessel in the target area; measuring the amount of microwave energy transmitted absorbed by the blood vessel in the target area to determine a measurement value; placing a measurement device on the patient's skin or in close proximity to the desired target area, the measurement device comprising: an antenna housing having an antenna assembly, the antenna assembly including an antenna and a controller; and a transmitter operably connected to the antenna and the controller for transmitting microwave energy into a blood vessel in the target area through the antenna, wherein the transmitter feeds into the antenna to focus and transmit microwave energy to an appropriate subcutaneous blood vessel located at the patient's desired target area; and the controller for measuring the amount of power / energy transmitted through the antenna by determining how much of the energy generated by the transmitter is output by the antenna to measure the power delivered to the blood vessel; comparing the measured value and the calibrated value to produce a calculated power difference value; and determining a blood glucose value representative of the calculated power difference; wherein the amount of microwave energy transmitted is measured by measuring the actual energy power level absorbed by the blood vessels in the target area; wherein the transmission amount of the microwave energy is measured by measuring the reflected energy power level relative to the blood vessel in the target area; The transmission amount of the microwave energy is measured by measuring the reading of the standing wave ratio representing the energy absorption in the blood vessel of the target area.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The blood glucose value is determined by extrapolating a value from the measured power level absorbed by the blood vessels in the target area.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The power value, associated with the known glucose value, is used to create a calibration value for further blood glucose measurements of the patient.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that Also included is adjusting the calculated blood glucose value based on additional sensed values ​​related to the patient's condition.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The additional sensed values ​​include at least one of a pulse rate, skin temperature, galvanic skin response, and hydration level of the patient.

15. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that Also included is displaying the calculated blood glucose value.

16. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method also includes storing the calculated blood glucose value and the calculated power difference value associated therewith.

17. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that Also included is varying the transmission frequency of the microwave energy within a predetermined frequency range.

18. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The blood vessels in the desired target area are subcutaneous blood vessels.

19. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The measurement device is placed on the patient's arm in proximity to the desired target area.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The measuring device is located on the patient's wrist.

21. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that Further including: A radio frequency mask is created that is related to the size, shape and location of the desired target area and is placed on the patient's skin proximate to the desired target area prior to placement of the measurement device.

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