Cloud-Based Breath Acetone Sensing for Real-Time Glucose Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for blood glucose measurement, such as continuous glucose monitors and invasive blood draws, are cumbersome, require calibration, and have lag times, while non-invasive methods lack accuracy and convenience.

Innovation Solution

A cloud-based, portable miniaturized system using a tunable chip-scale Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) to measure acetone levels in exhaled breath, combined with electrochemical sensors and cloud processing, to indirectly estimate blood glucose levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If invasive blood draws or continuous glucose monitors are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and user burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood glucose measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/invasive blood sampling methods with an optical detection system that measures acetone in exhaled breath. The quantum cascade laser spectroscopy system detects acetone concentrations non-invasively, eliminating the need for blood draws while providing continuous glucose monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses acetone in exhaled breath as an intermediary substance to indirectly measure blood glucose levels. Instead of directly measuring glucose in blood, the system detects acetone concentration which correlates with glucose metabolism, providing a non-invasive proxy measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If non-invasive methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of measurementVSAvoidblood glucose measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a tunable quantum cascade laser that can dynamically adjust its wavelength to match the absorption characteristics of acetone. The system continuously scans and tracks acetone concentration changes in real-time, providing dynamic adaptation to varying breath conditions while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by tuning the laser wavelength across the acetone absorption spectrum. By adjusting the laser frequency to precisely match acetone's rotational-vibrational transitions, the system achieves high sensitivity detection of acetone concentrations that correlate with blood glucose levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If real-time continuous monitoring is implemented, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring frequencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic measurement cycles where the quantum cascade laser scans through the acetone absorption spectrum at intervals. Rather than continuous full-spectrum scanning, the system performs periodic measurements that provide real-time monitoring capability while allowing energy-saving intervals between scans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system focuses its measurement effort on the specific acetone absorption bands that are most informative for glucose monitoring. By concentrating detection resources on the most relevant spectral regions rather than analyzing the entire spectrum continuously, the system achieves effective real-time monitoring with reduced energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Provides real-time, non-invasive, and accurate blood glucose monitoring without the need for calibration or invasive procedures, offering continuous and immediate glucose level detection.

Implementation Method 1

using a tunable chip-scale Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) to measure acetone levels in exhaled breath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption Spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

tunable chip-scale Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 3

receiving the emitted optical transmissions at a photodetector; converting the received optical transmissions to digital data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250228475A1Cloud-based portable system for non-invasive real-time blood glucose measurement

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 ANALOG DEVICES INC

AI summary

One embodiment is a method for implementing a cloud-based portable miniaturized system for performing non-invasive blood glucose level measurement in real time. The method includes using an optical source to emit optical radiations at certain wavelengths through breath in an air collection chamber; receiving the emitted optical transmissions at a photodetector; converting the received optical transmissions to digital data; accumulating the digital data for a first time period; and periodically transmitting the accumulated digital data to a cloud service for further processing.