Non-Invasive Glucose Detection via Angular Light Scattering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring blood glucose levels are invasive, inconvenient, or suffer from poor signal-to-noise ratios, making continuous and non-invasive monitoring challenging.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method utilizing the angular dependence of scattered light components to determine substance concentration in a particle-containing liquid, specifically leveraging the refractive index changes caused by glucose concentration in blood, through the detection of forward and backward scattered light components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive techniques (finger prick or needle sensor) are used to measure blood glucose, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to repeated skin penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive measurement systems (finger prick, needle sensor) with an optical measurement system that uses light scattering to detect glucose concentration in interstitial fluid, enabling non-invasive continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses interstitial fluid as an intermediary medium to indirectly measure blood glucose levels, avoiding direct blood sampling while still obtaining accurate glucose concentration data through optical measurement of the fluid between cells
2Ease of operation
If optical IR measurements are used for non-invasive glucose monitoring, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulties in emitter and detector selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct IR absorption to light scattering intensity at specific angles, using the angular distribution of scattered light as a new parameter that provides more reliable glucose concentration information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the angular dimension to light detection by measuring scattered light at multiple angles (including forward scattering), transforming a one-dimensional absorption measurement into a multi-dimensional scattering measurement that improves precision
3Ease of operation
If Raman spectroscopy is used for non-invasive glucose monitoring, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to very poor signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from Raman scattering intensity to Mie scattering angular distribution, using the angle-dependent scattering pattern as a new parameter that provides stronger signal and better signal-to-noise ratio for glucose detection
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
Enables continuous, non-invasive monitoring of blood glucose levels by effectively utilizing the angular dependence of scattered light to infer refractive index changes, improving upon existing invasive and noisy measurement techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The invention also makes use of the fact that the distribution of the scattered light is influenced, among other things, by a scattering similar to Mie scattering, since the particles contained in the liquid are of the same order of magnitude as a wavelength of a measuring light beam.
Implementation Method 2
a refractive index of the liquid is dependent on a concentration of the substance dissolved therein
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a substance concentration in a particle-containing liquid, in particular of glucose in blood, wherein a refractive index of the liquid is dependent on a concentration of the substance dissolved therein, includes emitting a measuring light beam of at least one wavelength onto a sample containing the liquid. The method also includes detecting a first light component scattered by scattering on the particles contained in the liquid at a first angle, which corresponds in particular to a forward scattering of the light component. The method further includes detecting a second light component scattered at a second angle by the particles contained in the liquid. The method additionally includes determining a concentration or a proportion of the substance in the liquid from the detected first and second light components, in particular by forming a ratio from the detected first and second light components.