Gas Sensing Device for Breath Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring health conditions, such as diabetes, are invasive and painful, requiring frequent finger pricks to check blood glucose levels, which is undesirable for patients.
Innovation Solution
A gas sensing device that uses infrared light spectroscopy to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath, specifically acetone, by differentiating absorption wavelengths to estimate blood glucose levels non-invasively, employing a housing with a sensing module containing light source units, filters, and sensors to determine concentration values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive blood glucose monitoring methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorate due to pain and repeated finger pricks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive blood sampling method with an optical sensing system that detects volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath. The light source unit emits light through the breath sample, and light sensing units detect absorption characteristics at different wavelengths to determine acetone concentration, thereby eliminating the need for finger pricks while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces exhaled breath as an intermediary medium to indirectly measure blood glucose levels. Instead of directly sampling blood, the system analyzes volatile organic compounds (particularly acetone) in the breath, which serve as a proxy indicator for blood glucose status, thus avoiding direct invasive contact with the patient's body
2Device complexity
If single wavelength detection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to distinguish target substance from interfering substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process by using multiple light sensing units, each equipped with filters for different wavelength ranges. The first light sensing unit detects at a first absorption wavelength while the second light sensing unit detects at a second absorption wavelength, allowing the system to differentiate the target substance's spectral signature from interfering substances through multi-wavelength analysis
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 non-invasive means to monitor health conditions by accurately estimating blood glucose levels through exhaled breath analysis, reducing patient discomfort and the need for invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the to-be-detected substance absorbs a portion of the light having a first absorption wavelength and a second absorption wavelength different from the first absorption wavelength
Implementation Method 2
The first light filter is disposed downstream of the chamber, and is configured to permit passage of a first portion of the light which has passed through the chamber and whose wavelengths fall within a first wavelength range
Implementation Method 3
The second light filter is disposed downstream of the chamber, and is configured to permit passage of a second portion of the light which has passed through the chamber and whose wavelengths fall within a second wavelength range
Implementation Method 4
The first sensor is disposed downstream of the first light filter, and is configured to receive the first portion of the light which has passed through the first light filter and to output in real time a first detected signal indicating a first detected intensity of the first portion of the light
Implementation Method 5
The second sensor is disposed downstream of the second light filter, and is configured to receive the second portion of the light which has passed through the second light filter and to output in real time a second detected signal indicating a second detected intensity of the second portion of the light
Data Source
AI summary
A gas sensing device for detecting a to-be-detected substance in a respiratory gas exhaled by a user includes a housing permitting entrance of the respiratory gas, and a sensing module disposed in the housing. The sensing module includes a light chamber permitting the respiratory gas to pass therethrough, a light source unit emitting light into the light chamber, first and second light sensing units outputting respectively first and second detected signals indicating first and second detected intensities respectively of first and second portions of the light whose wavelengths fall within first and second wavelength ranges, respectively, and a processing unit electrically connected to the first and second light sensing units and determining, based on the first and second detected signals, that the to-be-detected substance exists in the respiratory gas when a difference occurs in each of the first and second detected intensities over time.