Collocated RF Antennas for Non-Invasive Glucose Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring blood glucose levels are invasive, and while non-invasive techniques using millimeter range radio waves have been explored, practical implementation, especially in wearable devices like smartwatches, has not been realized effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing millimeter range radio waves in the 122-126 GHz frequency range to transmit and receive signals, with a semiconductor substrate incorporating transmit and receive antennas, and signal processing circuits to isolate and output blood glucose level signals, enabling non-invasive monitoring through a wearable device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive techniques using millimeter range radio waves are used, then invasiveness is reduced, but signal quality and measurement precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transmit and receive antennas into a single integrated device worn on the body, merging multiple functions (transmission, reception, processing) into one compact system. This integration improves signal quality by reducing external interference while maintaining non-invasive measurement through the use of millimeter wave radio waves that can penetrate tissue without physical contact or injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive measurement methods (such as blood draws or needle insertions) with electromagnetic field-based detection using millimeter wave radio waves. This substitution eliminates physical invasion while enabling continuous monitoring through wireless signal transmission and reception through the body tissue.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If millimeter range radio waves are used for monitoring, then non-invasive monitoring is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional device that can monitor multiple health parameters (blood glucose levels, other physiological metrics) using the same millimeter wave radio wave transmission and reception system. This universal approach reduces overall device complexity by consolidating multiple monitoring functions into a single integrated platform rather than requiring separate specialized devices for each parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates signal processing circuits that automatically process and interpret the received radio wave signals to extract health information without requiring external laboratory analysis or manual intervention. This self-service capability simplifies the overall system by performing measurements and calculations internally within the wearable device itself.
3Volume of moving object
If collocated RF components are used, then device size is reduced, but signal isolation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the signal processing functions from the antenna components, placing dedicated processing circuits in close proximity to each antenna element. This extraction approach enables compact device size by eliminating long signal paths while maintaining signal isolation through localized processing that prevents interference between transmit and receive channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the RF system into separate transmit and receive components with dedicated processing circuits for each, allowing independent optimization and isolation of signal paths. This segmentation enables compact integration while managing signal interference through spatial and functional separation of transmit and receive operations.
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
This approach provides a non-invasive, high-resolution, and efficient method for monitoring blood glucose levels with reduced signal processing burden and improved signal quality, suitable for integration into wearable devices like smartwatches, offering a practical solution for continuous glucose monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transmit antenna configured to transmit millimeter range radio waves over a 3D space below the skin surface of a person
Implementation Method 2
multiple receive antennas configured to receive radio waves, the received radio waves including a reflected portion of the transmitted radio waves
Data Source
AI summary
A device for monitoring a health parameter of a person is disclosed. The device includes a semiconductor substrate including at least one transmit component and multiple receive components, at least one transmit antenna configured to transmit millimeter range radio waves over a 3D space below the skin surface of a person, and multiple receive antennas configured to receive radio waves, the received radio waves including a reflected portion of the transmitted radio waves, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes circuits for processing signals received on the multiple receive antennas, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes at least one output configured to output a signal that corresponds to a health parameter of a person in response to received radio waves, and wherein the at least one transmit antenna is collocated with the at least one transmit component and the multiple receive antennas are collocated with respective ones of the multiple receive components.