Decoupled RF Antenna Layout for Non-Invasive Analyte Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive analyte detection methods using spectroscopic techniques face challenges such as lack of specificity, interference from temperature fluctuations and skin compounds, and complexity in device placement, particularly when measuring analytes like glucose in biological tissues.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive analyte sensor utilizing decoupled transmit and receive antennas operating in radio or microwave frequency bands, with intentional geometric differences and appropriate spacing to minimize direct electromagnetic coupling, allowing for accurate detection of analytes by maximizing signal penetration into the target while minimizing direct signal receipt by the receive antenna.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the transmit antenna transmits a strong signal into the target, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but the direct electromagnetic energy received by the receive antenna increases, overwhelming the analyte response signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a decoupling network as an intermediary component between the transmit antenna and receive antenna. This decoupling network acts as a mediator that allows the transmit antenna to send strong signals into the target while preventing direct electromagnetic coupling to the receive antenna, thus protecting the weak analyte response signal from being overwhelmed by direct transmission energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful direct electromagnetic coupling between transmit and receive antennas by using a decoupling structure. This separates the useful function (signal transmission into target) from the harmful effect (direct signal receipt by receive antenna), allowing the system to maintain high transmission power while eliminating the interfering direct path.
2Volume of moving object
If the transmit and receive antennas are placed close together, then the device size is reduced, but the direct electromagnetic coupling between antennas increases, reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling network serves as an intermediary that enables close placement of transmit and receive antennas without direct electromagnetic coupling. It allows the antennas to be positioned near each other for compact device size while maintaining measurement accuracy by blocking the direct coupling path between the antennas.
3Device complexity
If conventional non-invasive spectroscopic methods are used, then the device structure is simplified, but the detection suffers from lack of specificity and interference from temperature fluctuations and skin compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional optical spectroscopic techniques with radio frequency or microwave electromagnetic techniques. This substitution changes the physical domain from optical to RF/microwave, enabling deeper penetration into biological tissues and providing different interaction mechanisms with analytes, thereby improving detection specificity while reducing interference from skin compounds and temperature fluctuations.
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 decoupling technique enhances the sensor's ability to detect analytes with improved specificity and reduced interference, enabling effective non-invasive measurement of analytes like glucose by ensuring that the response signal is not overwhelmed by direct transmission energy, thus improving detection accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
transmit a generated transmit signal in a radio or microwave frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum into a target containing an analyte of interest
Implementation Method 2
detect a response resulting from transmission of the transmit signal by the transmit antenna into the target
Data Source
AI summary
A non-invasive analyte sensor device that includes a sensor housing, and a decoupled antenna/detector array having at least one transmit antenna/element and at least one receive antenna/element. The sensor housing has a maximum length dimension no greater than 50 mm, a maximum width dimension no greater than 50 mm, a maximum thickness dimension no greater than 25 mm, and a total interior volume of no greater than about 62.5 cm3. In addition, the at least one transmit antenna/element and the at least one receive antenna/element have a maximum spacing therebetween that does not exceed 50 mm and a minimum spacing therebetween that is at least 1.0 mm, and the at least one transmit antenna/element and the at least one receive antenna/element are less than 95% coupled to one another, or less than 90% coupled to one another, or less than 85% coupled to one another, or less than 75% coupled to one another.