Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Tracking via Microwave Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive blood glucose measurement systems are unable to provide real-time, direct readings of blood glucose levels due to their reliance on measuring interstitial fluid rather than blood glucose, resulting in significant time lags and measurement variations, and have not been successfully adapted for in vivo use.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive blood glucose measurement device using a microwave energy source and antenna assembly to transmit and receive microwave energy, which is absorbed by blood vessels, allowing for real-time measurement and calculation of blood glucose levels by comparing absorbed energy values to calibration values, with individually tailored RF masks to enhance accuracy and minimize external interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-invasive measurement methods are used to measure blood glucose levels, then patient comfort and safety are improved, but measurement accuracy and real-time capability deteriorate due to measuring interstitial fluid instead of blood glucose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary substance (fluorophore or quantum dot) that mediates between the non-invasive measurement and the blood glucose target. This intermediary is introduced into the blood stream and provides an optical signal that can be measured externally, allowing indirect but accurate measurement of blood glucose levels without direct blood sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive blood sampling system with an optical measurement system. Instead of physically extracting blood for analysis, the system uses optical signals (fluorescence or quantum dot emission) that can be detected through non-invasive means, thereby eliminating the need for needle punctures while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Device complexity
If interstitial fluid measurement is used for blood glucose monitoring, then device simplicity is improved, but response time deteriorates due to 20-minute time lag
Solution Approach 1:
The optical intermediary substance circulates in the blood stream and provides real-time optical signals that directly reflect blood glucose levels. This eliminates the time lag associated with interstitial fluid measurement because the intermediary is in direct contact with blood glucose, allowing instantaneous measurement without waiting for glucose to diffuse into interstitial fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous real-time measurement by maintaining a constant population of optical intermediaries in the blood stream that continuously emit optical signals. This allows uninterrupted monitoring of blood glucose levels without the periodic delays inherent in interstitial fluid measurement systems.
3Measurement precision
If microwave energy measurement is adapted from in vitro to in vivo use, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for calibration mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The optical intermediary substance serves as a calibration-free intermediary that provides inherent optical properties for measurement. The fluorophore or quantum dot has known, stable optical characteristics that can be directly correlated with blood glucose levels, eliminating the need for complex in vivo calibration mechanisms required by microwave methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from microwave absorption (which requires calibration for each patient and condition) to optical emission properties of the intermediary substance. The optical parameters (fluorescence intensity, quantum dot emission) are inherently stable and can be directly measured without patient-specific calibration, simplifying the device.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time, direct measurement of blood glucose levels without time lag, providing accurate and instantaneous readings that can be displayed or stored, and is suitable for in vivo use, overcoming the limitations of prior art systems that measure interstitial fluid glucose levels.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting microwave energy into blood within the blood vessels of the target area via the antenna, wherein the antenna assembly is adapted to determine an amount of transmitted microwave energy absorbed by the blood vessels
Data Source
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AI summary
A blood glucose tracking system and method measures emitted microwave energy transmitted to and accepted by blood vessels in a desired target area of a patient in order to determine, in real time and in vivo, appropriate blood glucose levels. A measurement unit comprises a transmitter operatively connected to an antenna to deliver energy towards appropriate subcutaneous blood vessels. The measurement unit determines an accepted energy power value in the blood vessels associated with the desired target area. This measurement energy power value is compared with a calibration value, and the difference is used to determine a resultant blood glucose value. The determined blood glucose value may further be acclimatized using additional sensed values compensating for biological and ambient factors relevant to the patient. The final determined blood glucose value can be displayed for reading and/or transmitted and stored for recording for further reference.