Contact Lens Glucose Sensor Using Tear Fluid and Self-Powered Electrochemistry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diabetes monitoring methods are invasive, inefficient, and lack continuous noninvasive solutions, leading to unreliable blood glucose measurements and limited long-term monitoring capabilities, which are essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Innovation Solution
A noninvasive health indicator monitoring system comprising a sensing module, a power generation module, and a circuit module, integrated into a contact lens design, that continuously collects and transmits health indicator information, such as glucose levels in tears, using a combination of solar cells, nanogenerators, and enzymatic amperometric sensors, enabling self-powered, self-driving monitoring without external energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive blood collection method is used for glucose monitoring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive blood collection system with an electrochemical sensing system. The amperometric sensor detects glucose through electrochemical reactions, substituting the mechanical needle puncture method with a non-invasive electrochemical measurement approach that maintains accuracy while improving patient comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tears as an intermediary medium between the blood glucose and the sensor. Instead of directly measuring blood glucose through invasive collection, the system measures glucose concentration in tears which correlates with blood glucose levels, providing a non-invasive measurement pathway that maintains measurement reliability
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then reliability of long-term health data is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-powered system where the sensor module generates its own power through electrochemical reactions with glucose in tears. The enzyme-based sensor produces electrical current that powers the measurement and transmission functions, eliminating the need for external power sources and enabling continuous long-term monitoring without energy constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power source parameter from external battery power to self-generated biochemical power. By utilizing the electrochemical energy from glucose metabolism, the system transforms the energy parameter to enable continuous operation indefinitely, resolving the contradiction between continuous monitoring and energy consumption
3Ease of operation
If noninvasive sensing method is used, then patient comfort is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement medium parameter from blood to tears. By measuring glucose in tears instead of blood, the system achieves non-invasive operation while maintaining measurement precision through the physiological correlation between tear glucose and blood glucose levels, eliminating the precision loss typically associated with non-invasive methods
4Duration of action of moving object
If self-powered system is implemented, then duration of action is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensing function and power generation function into a single integrated module. The amperometric sensor simultaneously performs glucose detection and generates electrical power, combining two functions that would traditionally require separate components, thereby extending operational duration without significantly increasing device complexity
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 system provides continuous, accurate, and reliable monitoring of health indicators, reducing errors in disease marker measurements and enabling long-term follow-up for drug efficacy, while being safe and user-friendly, thus addressing the limitations of existing invasive methods.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic part
Implementation Method 2
a nanogenerator
Implementation Method 3
enzymatic amperometric sensors
Implementation Method 4
enzymatic amperometric sensors
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a non-invasive health indicator monitoring system including a sensing module, an electric power storage module, and a circuit module to collect health indicator information by contacting with a subject. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method for monitoring health indicator continuously by using the health indicator monitoring system.