Frusto-Conical Light Funnel for Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive blood glucose monitoring techniques face challenges in accurately measuring glucose concentration due to interference from skin, fat, muscle, and other components, leading to low signal-to-noise ratios and inefficient light power utilization in optical measurement devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of a light illumination funnel with a frusto-conical shape and reflective inner walls to focus and direct light beams of different wavelengths, combined with a light collection funnel, increases the light power received by the target area and detected by the device, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and improving the accuracy of blood glucose measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional optical measurement devices are used without light funnels, then the device structure is simple, but the light power received by the target area is insufficient and the signal-to-noise ratio is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs frusto-conical funnels with curved reflective inner surfaces to redirect and concentrate light beams. The curved geometry enables efficient light collection from a wide entrance opening and focusing onto the target area or detector, significantly improving light power utilization while maintaining a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The light funnels act as intermediary optical components between the light source and the target area/detector. These funnels mediate the light transmission process by collecting, redirecting, and concentrating light beams, thereby enhancing the overall system performance without requiring direct optimization of the light source or detector.
2Productivity
If traditional optical designs are used, then the device complexity is low, but the light power collection efficiency is insufficient with only 1-5% of light power being detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions into integrated frusto-conical funnel structures that simultaneously perform light collection, redirection, and focusing. By merging these functions into a single component with reflective inner surfaces, the system achieves high light power collection efficiency (40-80 times improvement) without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The frusto-conical geometry introduces a dimensional transformation approach, converting light beams from a wide angular distribution at the entrance opening into a concentrated directional beam at the exit. This dimensional transformation of light propagation paths enables efficient light power collection that overcomes the limitations of traditional linear optical designs.
3Measurement precision
If no light focusing mechanism is used, then the optical system is simple, but the signal-to-noise ratio is low due to interference from skin, fat, muscle, and other components
Solution Approach 1:
The light funnels concentrate light energy locally at the target area and detector interfaces, creating high illumination intensity zones where it is most needed. This local quality enhancement ensures that sufficient light power reaches the measurement interface to overcome background interference from skin, fat, and muscle tissues, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnels utilize composite optical structures combining transparent or reflective materials with specific geometric configurations. The reflective inner surfaces of the frusto-conical funnels create composite optical paths that enhance light collection efficiency and signal strength, enabling accurate measurements despite interference from various biological tissues.
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 configuration significantly increases the light power transmitted through the finger, achieving a 40 to 80-fold improvement in light power collection compared to traditional designs, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of non-invasive blood glucose monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
inner reflective walls, in contact with the first opening and second opening
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention relate to a light illumination funnel. The funnel includes a first opening positioned to receive an incoming light source, a second opening positioned opposite the first opening and with a diameter smaller than the first opening and inner reflective walls, in contact with the first opening and second opening. The funnel has a half angle of less than 25 degrees. Embodiments also relate to a light collection funnel and an apparatus utilizing both a light illumination funnel and light collection funnel.