Blood glucose measurement based on Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

A blood glucose measuring device comprises a light source unit that irradiates light onto a target, a spectrometer unit that separates the wavelength components of light reflected and scattered from the target, a light receiving unit that receives the light that has passed through the spectrometer unit and generates an electrical signal based on the received light, and a processor that extracts information about the target's blood glucose level based on the frequency shift of light due to the Raman effect.

Description

References to Related Applications

[0001] This application is based on U.S. Application No. 18 / 427,872 filed on January 31, 2024, U.S. Application No. 18 / 455,492 (filed on August 24, 2023), and Korean Application No. 10-2023-0069417 (filed on May 30, 2023). The above application documents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this specification.

Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the concept of the invention described herein relate to an apparatus for continuously measuring blood glucose levels based on Raman signals. More specifically, embodiments of the concept of the invention relate to a blood glucose measurement device that is attached to a user's body and non-invasively measures blood glucose levels.

Background Art

[0003] A continuous blood glucose monitoring device measures a patient's blood glucose levels at corresponding time intervals, enabling the patient to grasp the rising / falling trend of blood glucose levels and allowing the patient to adjust their diet or determine the dosing timing of medications such as insulin. It is a medical device that provides information for such purposes.

[0004] Therefore, for better health management of diabetic patients, domestic and international diabetes and endocrinology societies have revised their guidelines and recommend the use of continuous blood glucose monitoring devices regardless of the type of diabetes.

[0005] Currently, in most commercially available continuous blood glucose monitoring devices approved as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the needle of the measuring device is inserted into the patient, and the blood glucose level measured by the needle is read through another device such as a smartphone.

[0006] Because existing continuous glucose monitoring devices measure blood glucose levels using an invasive method involving needles, they are painful to wear, and the invasive needle method can cause side effects such as inflammatory reactions, making long-term use beyond 15 days impossible. Therefore, there is a need for a non-invasive technology to measure blood glucose levels to overcome these shortcomings. [Overview of the project]

[0007] A conceptual embodiment of the present invention provides a continuous blood glucose monitoring device that is attached to the user's body for non-invasive measurement of blood glucose levels.

[0008] A conceptual embodiment of the present invention provides a small blood glucose measuring device that is attached to the user's body for measuring blood glucose levels.

[0009] The problems to be solved by the concept of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and those problems not mentioned can be easily understood by those skilled in the art from the following explanation.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a blood glucose measuring device utilizing Raman spectroscopy comprises a housing that defines an internal containment space, a light source unit located within the housing that irradiates light onto the target, a light receiving unit located within the housing that receives reflected and scattered light from the target and acquires a Raman spectral spectrum, and a processor located within the housing that extracts information about glucose, protein, and fat from the target by utilizing the area of ​​peaks included in the Raman spectral spectrum. The processor is configured to perform calibration by controlling the light source unit and the light receiving unit when the blood glucose measuring device is started or when it is attached to the user's body.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the processor may be configured to control the light source to output light at a specific output for a specific period of time when calibration is performed, and to set the amount of light from the light source and the exposure time when blood glucose levels are measured by referring to a peak corresponding to a specific Raman shift of the Raman spectrum acquired through the light receiver during the specific period.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the blood glucose measuring device further includes a communication unit that sends and receives data to and from an external terminal, and when calibration is performed, even if the intensity of the Raman signal reaches its maximum value at the maximum output and maximum exposure time of the light source unit, the intensity of the Raman signal corresponding to a specific Raman shift may not reach a reference value, and the processor may be configured to control the communication unit so that an error message is sent to the external terminal.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the intensity of the Raman signal corresponding to a particular Raman shift may be the intensity at the peak of 1450 cm⁻¹.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the light-receiving unit may include a diffraction grating that disperses light reflected or scattered by an object according to wavelength bands, and a photodetector that receives the light diffracted by the diffraction grating and converts that light into an electrical signal.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the light receiving unit may include a filter array having a plurality of optical filters that transmit light of different wavelength bands, a filter supply unit that supplies the filter array in one direction, and a light receiving unit that receives the light that has passed through the filter array and converts the light into an electrical signal.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the light receiving unit may include a linearly variable filter with different wavelength bands of light passing through a region, a filter supply unit that supplies the filter array in one direction, and a light receiving unit that receives the light that has passed through the filter array and converts the light into an electrical signal.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the housing has a contact surface that contacts an object, and the contact surface has a hole that allows light emitted from the light source to radiate to the outside of the blood glucose measuring device and introduces the light reflected or scattered by the object into the inside of the blood glucose measuring device, and the hole may be formed in the center of the contact surface.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the blood glucose measurement device may further include a band connected to the housing and fixing the housing to the user's body, and a battery formed to be removably attached to the band.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the blood glucose measurement device may further include an auxiliary battery disposed within the housing to prevent the blood glucose measurement device from switching to an off state during battery replacement.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] The above object and other objects and features will be apparent from the following description with reference to the following drawings, and unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals in each figure denote the same components.

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing a continuous blood glucose measurement device according to the concept of the present invention. <着 [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose measurement device according to the concept of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a plan view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose measurement device according to the concept of the present invention. '' [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose measurement device provided with an optical filter. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose measurement device provided with an optical filter. [Figure 6] It is a side view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose measurement device provided with an optical filter. [Figure 7] It is a plan view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose measurement device having a hole disposed in the central portion. [Figure 8] It is a conceptual diagram showing a band-type continuous blood glucose measurement device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Throughout the entire concept of the present invention, the same reference numerals denote the same components. The concept of the present invention does not describe all components of the embodiments, and descriptions of general content in the field to which the concept of the present invention belongs and repeated content of the embodiments are omitted. The terms "part, module, member, block" used in the specification can be implemented by software or hardware, and according to the embodiments, a plurality of "parts, modules, members, blocks" may be implemented by one component, or one "part, module, member, block" may include a plurality of components.

[0023] Throughout this specification, when a certain component is described as being "connected" to another component, this includes not only direct connection but also indirect connection, and indirect connection includes connection via a wireless communication network.

[0024] Furthermore, when a certain part is described as including a specific component, it means that, unless otherwise specified to the contrary, other components are not excluded and other components may further be included.

[0025] Throughout this specification, when a certain member is described as being disposed on another member, this includes both cases where another member is interposed between the two members and cases where a certain member contacts another member.

[0026] Terms such as first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not limited by the above terms.

[0027] Unless explicitly stated to the contrary in the context, singular expressions include plural expressions.

[0028] For the convenience of explaining operations, reference numerals are used, but the reference numerals do not indicate the order of operations, and unless a specific order is clearly stated in the context, the operations may be executed in an order different from the described order.

[0029] The operating principle and embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention may include watch-type, wristband-type, ring-type, belt-type, necklace-type, ankle-band-type, thigh-band-type, and arm-band-type devices. However, the concept of the present invention is not limited to these, and the continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention may be implemented in a form that can be fixed to the user's body.

[0031] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention. Figure 3 is a plan view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose monitoring device equipped with an optical filter. Figure 5 is a plan view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose monitoring device equipped with an optical filter. Figure 6 is a side view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose monitoring device equipped with an optical filter.

[0032] Referring to Figure 1, the continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention comprises a light source unit 110, a light receiving unit 120, an input unit 130, an output unit 140, a communication unit 150, a storage unit 160, and a processor 170. However, the concept of the present invention is not limited to these, and the continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention may have more or fewer components than those described above. The above components will be described in detail below.

[0033] The light source unit 110 emits light and directs it to an object (e.g., skin). To this end, the light source unit 110 may include at least one optical element, which includes a light source that emits light, a lens that focuses the emitted light to one point, an optical filter that filters out a portion of the wavelength range of the emitted light, a mirror that changes the direction of propagation of the emitted light, and a beam splitter that reflects part of the light and transmits other parts.

[0034] As described above, the light source unit 110 includes a light source and may also include at least one optical element that changes at least one of the direction of propagation, wavelength, polarization, and light intensity of the light emitted from the light source until it reaches the target. Detailed embodiments of the light source unit 110 will be described later.

[0035] The light-receiving unit 120 receives light reflected or scattered by the object and generates a Raman spectrum for analyzing the Raman signal. For this purpose, the light-receiving unit 120 may include at least one of the following: a lens that focuses the light reflected or scattered by the object to one point; an optical filter that filters out several wavelength bands of light; a mirror that changes the direction of light propagation; and a spectrometer that disperses the light according to wavelength bands to generate a spectrum of light.

[0036] As described above, the light-receiving unit 120 may include at least one component that receives light reflected or scattered by an object and generates a Raman spectrum by changing at least one of the direction of light propagation, wavelength, polarization, and light intensity, or by scattering light in each wavelength band. Detailed embodiments of the light-receiving unit 120 are described below.

[0037] The input unit 130 is for receiving information from the user, and when information is input through the input unit 130, the processor 170 may control the device so that its operation corresponds to the input information. The input unit 130 may include hardware-type physical keys (e.g., buttons, dome switches, jog wheels, jog switches, etc., located on at least one of the front, back, and side of the device) and software-type touch keys. As an example, the touch keys may include virtual keys, soft keys, or visual keys that are displayed on a touchscreen display unit by software processing, and may also include touch keys located in parts other than the touchscreen. On the other hand, virtual keys or visual keys may be displayed on the touchscreen in various forms, and may include, for example, graphics, text, icons, videos, or combinations thereof.

[0038] The output unit 140 is for generating visual, auditory, or tactile outputs and may include at least one of a display unit, an audio output unit, a tactile module, and an optical output unit.

[0039] The display unit may have a stacked structure with the touch sensor, or be integrally formed with it to realize a touchscreen. The touchscreen may function as a user input unit providing an input interface between the device and the user, and may similarly provide an output interface between the device and the user.

[0040] The display unit displays (outputs) information processed by the device. For example, the display unit may display execution screen information of an application program (for example, an application) driven by the device, or user interface (UI) or graphical user interface (GUI) information based on the execution screen information.

[0041] The audio output unit may output audio data received through the communication unit or stored in memory, or audio signals related to the functions performed by the device. The audio output unit may include a receiver, speaker, or buzzer.

[0042] The communication unit 150 includes one or more components that enable communication with external devices, and may include, for example, at least one of a wired communication module, a wireless communication module, and a short-range communication module.

[0043] The wired communication module may include not only various wired communication modules such as local area network (LAN) modules, wide area network (WAN) modules, or value-added network (VAN) modules, but also various cable communication modules such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI®), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232), power line communication, or conventional telephone service (POTS).

[0044] The wireless communication module may include not only Wi-Fi modules and wireless broadband modules, but also wireless communication modules that support Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA®), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), 4G, 5G, and 6G.

[0045] The short-range communication module is for short-range communication and may support short-range communication using at least one of the following technologies: Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Adaptation (IrDA), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless Fidelity Connectivity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, or Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB).

[0046] The storage unit 160 may store data supporting various functions of the device, programs for the operation of the processor 170, input / output data, application programs or applications driven by the device, and data and instructions for the operation of the device. At least some application programs may be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication.

[0047] The memory may include at least one type of storage medium, including flash memory type, hard disk type, solid state disk (SSD) type, silicon disk drive (SDD) type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk. Furthermore, the storage device may be a database that is separate from the device but connected to the device by wire or wireless.

[0048] The processor 170 may be implemented by a storage unit 160 that stores data for an algorithm for controlling the operation of the device's components, or for a program that implements that algorithm, and at least one processor that performs the above operation using the data stored in the storage unit 160. In this case, the storage unit 160 and the processor 170 may be implemented on separate chips. Alternatively, the storage unit 160 and the processor 170 may be implemented on a single chip.

[0049] Furthermore, the processor 170 may control any one or a combination thereof of the components discussed above in order to realize various embodiments relating to the concept of the invention in the apparatus shown in Figures 2 to 8, which will be described later.

[0050] On the other hand, the functions related to artificial intelligence according to the concept of the invention are performed through a processor and memory. The processor may include one or more processors. These one or more processors may be general-purpose processors such as CPUs, APs, and digital signal processors (DSPs), graphics-dedicated processors such as GPUs and vision processing units (VPUs), or artificial intelligence-dedicated processors such as NPUs. One or more processors perform control for processing input data according to predefined operating rules stored in memory or artificial intelligence models. Alternatively, if one or more processors are artificial intelligence-dedicated processors, the artificial intelligence processor may be designed to have a hardware structure specified for processing a particular artificial intelligence model.

[0051] A predefined set of behavioral rules or artificial intelligence models is created through learning. Here, "created through learning" means a predefined set of behavioral rules or artificial intelligence models configured to perform a desired characteristic (or objective) by performing learning using multiple training data through a learning algorithm. Learning may be performed directly by the device running the artificial intelligence according to the concept of the present invention, or through a separate server and / or system. Examples of learning algorithms include supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but the concept of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0052] The artificial intelligence model may include multiple neural network layers. Each of the multiple neural network layers has multiple weight values ​​and performs neural network computations through the computation results of the previous layer and the computation of the multiple weight values. The multiple weight values ​​of the multiple neural network layers are optimized by the learning results of the artificial intelligence model. For example, the multiple weight values ​​may be updated so that the loss value or cost value acquired by the artificial intelligence model during the learning process is reduced or minimized. The artificial neural network may include deep neural networks (DNNs), and includes, for example, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), deep neural networks (DNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), restricted Boltzmann machines (RBMs), deep belief networks (DBNs), bidirectional recurrent deep neural networks (BRDNNs), deep Q networks, etc., but the concept of the present invention is not limited to the above examples.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the concept of the present invention, a processor may implement artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence refers to a machine learning scheme based on an artificial neural network that mimics human biological neurons so that the machine can learn. Methods for artificial intelligence may be classified into supervised learning, in which a solution (output data) to a problem (input data) is determined by providing both input data and output data as training data; unsupervised learning, in which only input data is provided without output data, and the solution (output data) to the problem (input data) is not predetermined; and reinforcement learning, in which a reward is given from the external environment each time a certain action is taken in the current state, and learning progresses in order to maximize that reward. Furthermore, artificial learning methods can be classified based on the architecture, which is the structure of the learning model, and the architectures of widely used deep learning techniques may be classified into convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), transformers, and generative adversarial networks (GANs).

[0054] This device may include an artificial intelligence (AI) model. The AI ​​model may be a single AI model or may be implemented by multiple AI models. The AI ​​model may include a neural network (or artificial neural network) and may include statistical learning algorithms that mimic biological neurons in machine learning and cognitive science. A neural network may mean any model that achieves problem-solving ability by changing the strength of synaptic connections through the learning of artificial neurons (nodes) that form a network via synaptic connections. The neurons in a neural network may include a combination of weight values ​​or biases. A neural network may include one or more layers, each containing one or more neurons or one or more nodes. For example, the device may include an input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer. The neural network constituting the device may infer predicted results (outputs) from any input by changing the weight values ​​of the neurons through learning.

[0055] The processor may generate a neural network, train (or perform learning on) the neural network, perform computations based on received input data, generate informational signals based on the results of the execution, or retrain the neural network. The neural network model may include, but is not limited to, various types of models such as convolutional neural networks with region (R-CNN), region proposal networks (RPN), recurrent neural networks (RNN), stacking-based deep neural networks (S-DNN), state-space dynamic neural networks (S-SDNN), deconvolutional networks, deep belief networks (DBN), restricted Boltzmann machines (RBN), fully convolutional networks, long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, and classification networks. The processor may include one or more processors for performing computations according to the neural network model. For example, the neural network may include a deep neural network.

[0056] For a typical engineer, neural networks include convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), perceptrons, multilayer perceptrons, feedforward (FFs), radial basis function networks (RBFs), deep feedforward (DFFs), long short-term memory (LSTMs), gated recurrent units (GRUMs), autoencoders (AEs), variational autoencoders (VAEs), denoising autoencoders (DAEs), sparse autoencoders (SAEs), Markov chains (MCs), Hopfield networks (HNs), Boltzmann machines (BMs), restricted Boltzmann machines (RBMs), and deep belief networks. It should be understood that this may include, but is not limited to, twerks (DBNs), deep convolutional networks (DCNs), deconvolutional networks (DNs), deep convolutional inverse graphics networks (DCIGNs), generative adversarial networks (GANs), liquid state machines (LSMs), extreme learning machines (ELMs), echo state networks (ESNs), deep residual networks (DRNs), differentiable neural computers (DNCs), neural turning machines (NTMs), capsule networks (CNs), Kohonen networks (KNs), and attention networks (ANs), and may include any neural network.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the concept of the present invention, the processor is a convolutional neural network such as GoogleNet, AlexNet, or VGG network, region detection using a convolutional neural network (R-CNN), region proposal network (RPN), recurrent neural network (RNN), stacking-based deep neural network (S-DNN), state-space dynamic neural network (S-SDNN), deconvolutional network, deep belief network (DBN), restricted Boltzmann machine (RBN), fully convolutional network, long short-term memory (L Various artificial intelligence structures and algorithms may be used, and the concept of the invention is not limited to these, such as STM networks, classification networks, generative modeling, explainable AI, continuous AI, representation learning, AI for materials design, BERT, SP-BERT, MRC / QA, text analysis, dialogue systems, GPT-3®, GPT-4®, visual analytics for visual processing, visual understanding, video synthesis, anomaly detection, prediction, time series forecasting, optimization, recommendation, or data generation for ResNet data intelligence. Embodiments of the concept of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0058] The following describes an embodiment of a continuous blood glucose analyzer equipped with the above-mentioned components.

[0059] The components described below may be arranged within a housing that defines the internal containment space.

[0060] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the light source 111 can irradiate the target with light. For example, the light source 111 can irradiate the target with near-infrared (NIR) or mid-infrared (MIR) light. However, the wavelength of the light emitted from the light source may be changed depending on the purpose of measurement.

[0061] In one embodiment, the light source 111 may be a light-emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode, but the concept of the present invention is not limited to these.

[0062] Light emitted from the light source 111 passes through the first lens 112 and is focused onto the first mirror 113. The first lens 112 is able to focus the light emitted from the light source 111 onto the first mirror 113. This allows the first lens 112 to minimize battery power consumption by eliminating the need to increase the output of the light source 111 above a certain level.

[0063] Light passing through the first lens 112 is reflected by the first mirror 113. The reflected light passes through the first waveplate 114. The first waveplate 114 includes a birefringent plate that changes the polarization direction of the light.

[0064] Light that has passed through the first wave plate 114 is emitted to the outside of the continuous blood glucose monitor through the hole 210. Here, the hole 210 may be formed on one surface of the housing. Specifically, the housing has a contact surface that comes into contact with the object, and the hole 210 is formed on this contact surface to emit light emitted from the light source to the outside of the blood glucose monitor and to introduce light reflected or scattered by the object into the inside of the blood glucose monitor.

[0065] When a continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention is attached so that its contact surface is in contact with the user's body, the light emitted to the outside reaches the target (e.g., skin).

[0066] Light reaching the target is reflected or scattered and introduced into the hole 210. The light introduced into the hole 210 passes through the second wave plate 121. The second wave plate 121 contains a birefringent plate that changes the polarization direction of the light. The light that has passed through the second wave plate 121 is reflected by the second mirror 122.

[0067] Light reflected by the second mirror 122 passes through the optical filter 123. The optical filter 123 only allows light in a preset wavelength band to pass through. Light in wavelength bands other than the preset wavelength band cannot pass through the optical filter 123.

[0068] Light that has passed through the optical filter 123 is focused by the second lens 124. The light focused by the second lens 124 is input to the spectral section 125. The light input to the spectral section 125 is dispersed according to wavelength band and input to the photodetector 126. The spectral section 125 based on the concept of the present invention may be realized in two main different forms.

[0069] Firstly, the spectral section 125 can be implemented in a manner that disperses light. Specifically, the spectral section 125 may be configured to disperse light through a diffraction grating or a prism. In one embodiment, the spectral section 125 is a diffraction grating, and the light may be dispersed in a desired manner by adjusting the size and spacing of the grating.

[0070] The photodetector 126 receives light diffracted by the spectrometer 125 and converts the light into an electrical signal. The processor 170 may generate a Raman spectrum through the electrical signal. For example, the photodetector 126 may be a charge-coupled device (CCD), but the concept of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0071] Secondly, the spectral section 125 can be implemented by interfering with a portion of the light to select only the desired components. Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the spectral section 125 may include a filter supply section 310, an optical filter section 320, and a light receiving section 330.

[0072] The filter supply unit 310 rotates a rotating unit 311 connected to the filter supply unit 310. The filter array or linear variable filter 320 is connected to the rotating unit 311 and is supplied in one direction when the rotating unit 311 rotates. When the rotating unit 311 rotates in a first direction, the filter array or linear variable filter 320 moves in the first direction. When the rotating unit 311 rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the filter array or linear variable filter 320 moves in the second direction opposite to the first direction. However, the means for feeding the filter array or linear variable filter 320 in one direction is not limited to the filter supply unit 310 described above.

[0073] The filter array comprises multiple optical filters that transmit light of different wavelengths. When the filter array is moved in one direction while light is incident on the filter array, the light receiving unit 330 is sequentially incident on light of different wavelengths.

[0074] Here, the light-receiving unit 311 may be a charge-coupled device (CCD), but the concept of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0075] A linear variable filter is a filter that passes through different wavelength bands of light in different regions. When light is incident on the linear variable filter and the filter is moved in one direction, light of different wavelength bands is sequentially incident on the light receiving unit 330.

[0076] The filter supply unit 310, while light reflected or scattered by the object is input to the filter array or linear variable filter 320, sends the filter array or linear variable filter 320 in one direction, thereby sequentially causing light of the desired wavelength band to be incident on the light receiving unit 330.

[0077] The processor 170 generates a Raman spectroscopic spectrum using electrical signals generated by sequentially input light of different wavelengths.

[0078] In one embodiment, a continuous blood glucose monitoring device based on the concept of the present invention can select only the signals of the necessary wavelengths by using a filter array or a linearly variable filter of wavelengths altered by Raman scattering at 830 nm (blood glucose-specific signals: 911 cm⁻¹, 1060 cm⁻¹, 1125 cm⁻¹, 898 nm, 910 nm, and 915 nm; skin constituent protein-specific Raman signals: 1450 cm⁻¹, 943 nm, etc.) necessary for measuring target substances, and deliver the signals to the photodetector 311. Thus, the concept of the present invention can minimize the continuous blood glucose monitoring device by shortening the necessary optical path using a spectrometer.

[0079] The processor 170 generates a Raman spectrum based on the signal generated by the photodetector 126. The Raman spectrum is displayed as a graph, in which the x-axis represents the Raman shift (unit: cm⁻¹) and the y-axis represents the signal intensity.

[0080] The processor 170 can measure the target blood glucose level by analyzing the generated Raman spectroscopic spectrum. Before measuring the target blood glucose level, the processor 170 may perform calibration on the blood glucose level and skin constituent protein-specific Raman spectra.

[0081] In one embodiment, during calibration, the processor 170 reduces noise in the generated spectrum by Savitsky-Goley filtering and removes background from the generated spectrum by polynomial fitting. The order of polynomial fitting suitable for background removal is determined based on the intensity of four wavelengths, namely the first wavelength, the wavelength at the 2 / 4 point, the wavelength at the 3 / 4 point, and the last wavelength.

[0082] On the other hand, the processor 170 may perform calibration again when the device is started up, when the device is restarted after blood glucose measurement, or when the device is reattached after being temporarily removed.

[0083] In one embodiment, the processor 170 may control the light source to output light at a specific output for a specific period of time when the device is started or reinstalled, and may set the amount of light from the light source and the exposure time when blood glucose levels are measured by referring to a peak corresponding to a specific Raman shift in the Raman spectrum acquired through the light receiver during that period.

[0084] Here, the intensity of the Raman signal corresponding to a specific Raman shift may be a peak at 1450 cm⁻¹.

[0085] If, during calibration, the maximum output and maximum exposure time of the light source unit are reached, but the intensity of the Raman signal corresponding to a specific Raman shift does not reach a reference value, the processor 170 may control the communication unit to send an error message to an external terminal.

[0086] The user may view the error message through an external terminal connected to the continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention. The error message may include text or images requesting replacement or reattachment of the attachment.

[0087] On the other hand, if the intensity ratio of a general Raman signal peak differs from the intensity ratio of the acquired Raman signal peak by a predetermined standard or more, the processor 170 may determine a contact error between the target and the device and control the communication unit 150 to send an error message to an external terminal.

[0088] However, the concept of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the processor 170 may display the error message through the output unit 140 included in the continuous blood glucose monitoring device without sending the error message to an external terminal.

[0089] Subsequently, the processor 170 may use machine learning techniques such as partial least squares (PLS), support vector machines (SVM), autoencoders, and ResNet to train the data on the three elements at the time of measurement, namely the peak areas of glucose, protein, and lipids, and the glucose value, and then continuously measure the target blood glucose level based on the trained model.

[0090] In one embodiment, glucose levels are measured by fingertip blood sampling, venous blood sampling, or continuous continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), but the method of measuring glucose levels is not limited to these.

[0091] In one embodiment, the processor 170 estimates the amount of glucose in the interstitial fluid based on the ratio of the peak area with a central value of 1450 cm⁻¹ and the peak area with a central value of 1660 cm⁻¹ to the peak area with a central value of 1125 cm⁻¹.

[0092] In this case, for a peak with a central value of 1450 cm⁻¹, the area is obtained by using the range of 1415 cm⁻¹ to 1480 cm⁻¹ as the peak corresponding to the protein.

[0093] On the other hand, in the case of a peak with a central value of 1660 cm⁻¹, the area can be obtained by using the range of 1630 cm⁻¹ to 1685 cm⁻¹ as the peak corresponding to lipids.

[0094] On the other hand, in the case of the peak at 1125 cm⁻¹ corresponding to glucose, the area can be calculated using a total of three ranges. Specifically, the area corresponding to glucose can be obtained by using 1089 cm⁻¹ to 1160 cm⁻¹ (first range), 1115 cm⁻¹ to 1140 cm⁻¹ (second range), and 1120 cm⁻¹ to 1130 cm⁻¹ (third range).

[0095] On the other hand, the continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention includes a battery 220 for driving the above-mentioned components.

[0096] As described above, the continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention can continuously measure blood glucose levels non-invasively, and therefore has significantly fewer side effects during use compared to existing continuous blood glucose monitoring devices that require needle sticks.

[0097] The following describes various embodiments of a continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention.

[0098] Figure 7 is a plan view showing the internal structure of a continuous blood glucose monitoring device, with a hole located in the center.

[0099] In the design of conventional Raman spectrometers for generating spectra, it has been necessary to ensure a stable optical path to maintain a consistent light scattering angle in the spectroscopic section. Therefore, a shape has been used in which holes are placed not in the center of the instrument, but rather in the corners or periphery.

[0100] However, it is preferable to place the hole in the center of the main body. In the case of wearable devices that are fixed to the user's body, a gap may occur between the device body and the user's body depending on the user's activity. Since the central part of the wearable device body is in the strongest contact with the user's body, placing the hole close to the center of the contact surface of the housing allows for a more stable and consistent distance between the light source and the object.

[0101] To achieve this, referring to Figure 7, according to the concept of the present invention, the hole 210 is located in the center of the contact surface included in the housing, the photodetector 126 and the internal battery 220 are located at the outermost periphery inside the main body, and the light source is directed toward the hole 210 located in the center of the contact surface. As a result, the angle between the path of light incident from the light source to the first mirror and the path of light incident to the spectral section 125 becomes greater than 90 degrees.

[0102] As a result, the continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention has an insufficient dispersion angle and optical path of light, resulting in a narrow wavelength band being measured. The concept of the present invention solves the problem of a narrow wavelength band being measured by selectively analyzing only the wavelength band specific to blood glucose levels. This allows a hole to be placed in the center of the contact surface of the object provided in the housing, according to the concept of the present invention.

[0103] As described above, according to the concept of the present invention, the accuracy of blood glucose measurement can be improved by placing a hole from which light emitted from the object is released in the center of the device.

[0104] On the other hand, according to the concept of the present invention, the battery may be replaced even before the blood glucose measurement is completed.

[0105] Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a band-type continuous blood glucose monitoring device.

[0106] The continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention may be implemented in the form of a band that can be fixed to the wrist, ankle, arm, etc. For this reason, the continuous blood glucose monitoring device may comprise a housing 410 and a band 420.

[0107] Furthermore, the continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the present invention may include a battery 430. The battery 430 may be located in a different position from the housing 410. For example, the battery 430 may be located in the opposite direction from the housing 410.

[0108] On the other hand, the circuit that electrically connects the battery 430 to the components within the housing 410 may be located within the band 420.

[0109] The battery 430 may be formed to be detachably attached to the band 420, and to achieve this, the band may be provided with a battery retaining portion 440. The battery retaining portion 440 secures the battery 430 to the band and electrically connects the battery 430 to the circuit located within the band 420.

[0110] Alternatively, an auxiliary battery may be located within the housing 410. The auxiliary battery allows the continuous blood glucose monitor to maintain its functionality even while the battery 430 is being replaced.

[0111] When the battery is replaced, the device switches to an off state, and when blood glucose measurement resumes, calibration is required. This creates a gap in the blood glucose measurement period, forcing users to perform calibration each time the battery is replaced, which is inconvenient.

[0112] According to the concept of the present invention, user convenience can be improved by preventing the device from switching to an off state even when the battery is being replaced.

[0113] On the other hand, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium for storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions are stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, program modules that perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments may be generated. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0114] Computer-readable storage media include all types of storage media that store instructions that can be decoded by a computer. Examples include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical data storage devices.

[0115] According to the solution based on the concept of the invention described above, the continuous blood glucose monitoring device according to the concept of the invention can continuously measure blood glucose levels in a non-invasive manner, and therefore has fewer side effects compared to existing continuous blood glucose monitoring devices that basically involve injecting needles.

[0116] Furthermore, according to the concept of the present invention, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the accuracy of blood glucose measurement when the device is attached.

[0117] The disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the concept of the invention can be carried out in forms different from those disclosed without altering the technical essence or essential features of the concept of the invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be constrained.

Claims

1. A blood glucose measuring device that utilizes Raman spectroscopy, Housing that defines the containment space, A light source unit is placed inside the housing and configured to irradiate light onto an object, A spectroscopic unit is disposed within the housing and configured to separate the wavelength components of light reflected and scattered from the object, A light-receiving unit is disposed within the housing and configured to receive light transmitted through the spectral unit to acquire a Raman spectral spectrum, The system comprises a processor disposed within the housing and configured to extract information about at least one of the target glucose, protein, or fat by utilizing the area of ​​one or more peaks included in the Raman spectroscopic spectrum, A blood glucose measuring device, wherein the processor is configured to perform calibration by controlling the light source unit and the light receiving unit when the blood glucose measuring device is started to operate or when it is attached to the body of the subject.

2. When the calibration is performed, the processor The light source unit is controlled to emit light at a specific output over a specific period of time, and, The blood glucose measuring device according to claim 1, configured to set the light intensity and exposure time of the light source when measuring blood glucose levels by referring to a peak corresponding to a specific Raman shift of the Raman spectrum acquired through the light receiving unit during the specified period.

3. It further comprises a communication unit configured to send and receive data with an external terminal, When the calibration is performed, if the intensity of the Raman signal reaches its maximum at the maximum output and maximum exposure time of the light source, but the intensity of the Raman signal corresponding to the specific Raman shift does not reach the reference value, The blood glucose measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to control the communication unit so that an error message is sent to the external terminal.

4. The blood glucose measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the intensity of the Raman signal corresponding to the specific Raman shift is the intensity at the peak of 1450 cm⁻¹.

5. The aforementioned spectroscopic unit, The blood glucose measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a diffraction grating configured to disperse light reflected or scattered by the aforementioned object according to wavelength band.

6. The aforementioned spectroscopic unit, A filter array comprising multiple optical filters configured to transmit light in different wavelength bands, The blood glucose measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a filter supply unit configured to send the filter array in one direction.

7. The aforementioned spectroscopic unit, A linearly tunable filter that passes through a region with different wavelength bands of light, The blood glucose measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a filter supply unit configured to feed the linear variable filter in one direction.

8. The housing comprises a contact surface that contacts the object, The contact surface is provided with holes that allow light emitted from the light source to radiate to the outside of the blood glucose measuring device and light reflected or scattered by the object to be introduced into the inside of the blood glucose measuring device. The blood glucose measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the hole is formed in the central part of the contact surface.

9. A band connected to the housing and configured to secure the housing to the body of the target, The blood glucose measuring device according to claim 1, comprising a battery formed to be detachably attached to the band.

10. The blood glucose measuring device according to claim 9, further comprising an auxiliary battery disposed within the housing, configured to prevent the blood glucose measuring device from switching to an off state when the aforementioned battery is replaced.

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