Contact Lens Biosensor for Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring glucose levels in diabetics are invasive, inconvenient, and prone to errors, with existing sensors requiring blood draws and suffering from membrane biofouling and high costs, while non-invasive options like tear glucose monitoring face challenges due to low concentrations and instability in contact lens materials.
Innovation Solution
Development of disposable contact lenses with biocompatible nanostructure-laden materials that integrate a biosensor for continuous, non-invasive glucose monitoring, using porous nanostructures and fluorescent dyes to detect glucose levels in tears, allowing for colorimetric or fluorescence-based indication without obstructing vision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If blood is used to trace glucose levels, then measurement precision is improved, but the detection method becomes invasive and causes harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses tear fluid as an intermediary medium to indirectly measure blood glucose levels. The contact lens biosensor detects glucose in tears, which correlates with blood glucose levels, thereby avoiding direct blood sampling while maintaining measurement accuracy through the tear-blood glucose correlation relationship
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive blood drawing system with an optical-biological detection system. The contact lens integrates biosensors that use optical detection methods (fluorescence, colorimetric changes) to measure glucose in tears, substituting the mechanical puncture system with a non-invasive optical measurement approach
2Ease of operation
If tear fluid is used to trace glucose levels, then the detection method becomes non-invasive and convenient, but measurement precision deteriorates due to low glucose concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous nanostructures within the contact lens matrix to concentrate and accumulate glucose molecules from the tear fluid. The porous structure increases the surface area and binding capacity, enhancing the sensor's ability to detect low glucose concentrations in tears with high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The contact lens is constructed as a composite material system combining hydrogel matrix, porous nanostructures, and biosensor components. This composite structure integrates the functions of泪液 absorption, glucose binding, and optical signal transduction, enabling high-sensitivity detection of low glucose concentrations while maintaining non-invasive operation
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional contact lens materials are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to instability and inability to maintain sensor functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite contact lens material that integrates conventional hydrogel lens components with specialized porous nanostructures and biosensor elements. This composite approach maintains the manufacturability of standard contact lenses while incorporating functional materials that provide stable sensor performance and reliability over extended wear periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies sensor-functionalized porous nanostructures to specific regions of the contact lens rather than throughout the entire lens. This localized application maintains the overall lens material properties and ease of manufacture while concentrating the sensing functionality in specific zones where it is most needed, ensuring reliability without compromising manufacturing simplicity
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 solution provides a safe, convenient, and cost-effective means for continuous glucose monitoring, capable of detecting glucose concentrations over an extended period with high sensitivity and accuracy, reducing the need for frequent blood draws and minimizing discomfort associated with dry eyes through integrated artificial tear delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a physiologically compatible fluorescent assay containing at least one physiologically compatible fluorescent dye encapsulated in said physiologically compatible porous nanostructures
Implementation Method 2
who can colorimetrically see changes in their contact lens color or other measurable signals including fluorescence
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides contact lens with integrated biosensor for the continuous, non-invasive monitoring of physiological glucose by employing biocompatible nanostructure-laden lens materials. These contact lenses can be worn by diabetics who can colorimetrically see changes in their contact lens color or other fluorescence-based properties, giving an indication of tear and blood glucose levels. This invention for the glucose biosensor based on the new disposal contact lens provides a safe, convenient and non-expensive glucose sensing device. The sensing device disclosed herein provides an efficient and noninvasive solution for monitoring blood glucose.