Noninvasive Glucose Analyzer Conditional Spectral Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current invasive and noninvasive glucose monitoring technologies face challenges such as time-consuming sample acquisition, potential skin irritation, limited replicate sampling, and inaccuracies, especially at low glucose concentrations, which hinder precise and timely glucose level verification and management in diabetes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for conditional additional acquisition of noninvasive spectra to enhance analyzer performance by collecting replacement, supplemental, or verification spectra based on predefined conditions, improving precision and accuracy of glucose concentration estimation and enabling rapid verification of glucose levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive sampling techniques are used to obtain glucose concentration readings, then accurate measurement can be achieved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive sampling methods (lancets, suction devices, iontophoresis) with a noninvasive optical system using near-infrared spectroscopy. The analyzer uses light interaction with tissue to directly measure glucose concentration without physical sample collection, eliminating the time-consuming mechanical sampling process while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system (near-infrared light and spectroscopic analysis) between the user and the biological sample. Instead of direct contact with blood or interstitial fluid through invasive means, the system uses light as an intermediary to obtain glucose information through tissue, reducing both time and invasiveness.
2Productivity
If invasive sampling is performed frequently to obtain replicate readings, then more data points are obtained, but cost and patient burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The noninvasive optical system eliminates the need for consumable sampling materials (test strips, lancets, collection vials) associated with invasive methods. By using light interaction with tissue, the system removes the material cost component entirely, allowing frequent replicate measurements without proportional cost increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the patient's own tissue as the measurement medium without requiring external consumables. The near-infrared light interacts directly with tissue components, eliminating the need for separate sampling materials and reducing per-measurement costs to minimal operational expenses.
3Speed
If noninvasive spectroscopy is used to estimate glucose concentration, then rapid and continuous monitoring is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates at low glucose concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements continuously or at frequent intervals to build a time-series data set. By collecting multiple rapid successive readings, the system can identify and correct for signal variations, improve signal-to-noise ratios through averaging, and detect true glucose changes more reliably, especially at low concentrations where signal differences are subtle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple measurements and comparison with expected physiological ranges to validate readings. When low glucose concentrations are detected, the system can request verification through additional measurements or compare against predicted values based on temporal trends, ensuring measurement precision through iterative validation.
4Reliability
If multiple replicate invasive samples are collected to verify glucose levels, then measurement reliability improves, but patient discomfort and skin irritation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces repeated mechanical punctures and skin contact methods with a noninvasive optical measurement system. The near-infrared spectroscopy technique uses light that penetrates tissue without physical contact or penetration, eliminating skin irritation from lancets, adhesives, or repeated invasive procedures while allowing multiple verification readings.
Solution Approach 2:
Light serves as a harmless intermediary that can be applied repeatedly to the same tissue area without causing damage. Unlike invasive methods that physically penetrate or contact skin, optical measurements use photons that interact with tissue molecularly without mechanical stress, thermal damage, or chemical irritation, enabling reliable repeated verification.
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 approach reduces false negative reporting of hypoglycemic glucose concentrations, enhances diabetes management by providing more precise and accurate glucose monitoring, and allows for timely verification of glucose levels without additional pain or cost, thereby optimizing glucose control within the normal range.
Implementation Method 1
A noninvasive apparatus uses some form of spectroscopy to acquire a signal, such as a spectrum, from the body. A particular range for noninvasive glucose concentration determination in diffuse reflectance mode is in the near-infrared from approximately 1100 to 2500 nm
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to noninvasive analyte property determination. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing conditional additional acquisition of noninvasive spectra to improve analyzer performance. Conditional additional data acquisition is used to confirm, update, and/or supplement spectral data.