Compressible Tear Sampling Device with Electrochemical Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for non-invasive monitoring of glucose levels in tears are invasive, irritating, and lack accuracy, with controversy surrounding the correlation between tear glucose concentrations and blood glucose levels, and existing devices require calibration and cause irritation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a collection chamber containing biocompatible absorbent material and a fluidic channel connected to a sensing chamber with electrochemical sensors for detecting analytes, allowing for non-invasive sampling and analysis of glucose and other metabolites in tears using a compressible housing and potentiostat for electrochemical sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical irritation of the conjunctiva is used during sampling, then tear glucose concentration measurements are improved, but patient comfort and safety deteriorate due to irritation and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (tear stimulation solution containing mannitol, sorbitol, or xylitol) that mediates between the sampling requirement and the comfort requirement. This solution stimulates tear production without requiring direct mechanical irritation of the conjunctiva, thus enabling accurate glucose measurement while maintaining patient comfort and safety.
2Duration of action of moving object
If contact lens based sensing devices are used to monitor tear glucose in situ, then continuous monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable test strips containing glucose oxidase enzyme that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need for calibration and complex device maintenance. The test strips are pre-loaded with reagents and electrodes, providing a simple, calibrated-free monitoring solution that avoids the complexity of reusable contact lens-based devices.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If avoid tear stimulation methods are used, then patient comfort is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to lower tear glucose concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses tear stimulation solution as an intermediary that safely increases tear production without mechanical irritation. The solution contains osmotic agents (mannitol, sorbitol, or xylitol) that draw water into the tear film, enhancing tear volume and glucose concentration for accurate measurement while maintaining patient comfort through non-irritating application.
4Measurement precision
If invasive sampling methods are used to obtain accurate glucose measurements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but safety and patient acceptance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs tear fluid as an intermediary medium that non-invasively reflects blood glucose levels. By measuring glucose in tears rather than directly in blood, the system achieves accurate glycemic monitoring without the invasiveness of blood sampling, maintaining patient safety and acceptance while providing reliable measurement data.
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
The device provides a safe, fast, and non-irritating method for collecting and analyzing tear samples, enabling accurate detection of glucose and other analytes, reducing the need for invasive procedures and improving glycemic control in diabetes management.
Implementation Method 1
a collection chamber containing an absorbent biocompatible material (e.g. fibrous networks, hydrogels, absorbent foams, sol gels, etc)
Implementation Method 2
a collection chamber containing an absorbent biocompatible material
Implementation Method 3
a sensing chamber connected to the fluidic channel, wherein the device is comprised of a compressible housing that allows transfer of fluid collected by the collection chamber to be transferred to the sensing chamber upon compression of the device, wherein the sensing chamber contains a material that specifically detects the analyte and wherein the sensing chamber is operably linked to a processor containing a potentiostat that allows detection of the analyte using electrochemical sensing
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and method for non-invasive detection of an analyte in a fluid sample. In one embodiment, the device comprises: a collection chamber containing an absorbent hydrogel material; a fluidic channel connected to the collection chamber; a sensing chamber connected to the fluidic channel, wherein the device is comprised of a compressible housing that allows transfer of fluid collected by the collection chamber to be transferred to be extracted and withdrawn to the sensing chamber upon compression of the device, wherein the sensing chamber contains a material that specifically detects the analyte and wherein the sensing chamber is operably linked to a processor containing a potentiostat that allows detection of the analyte using electrochemical sensing.