Millimeter-Wave Glucose Sensing With Beamformed Vessel Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring blood glucose levels are invasive, and while non-invasive techniques using millimeter range radio waves have been explored, practical implementation and effective monitoring systems integrated into wearable devices, such as smartwatches, have yet to be realized.
Innovation Solution
A system that transmits millimeter range radio waves below the skin surface, uses multiple receive antennas to isolate signals from specific locations, and employs beamforming and Doppler effect processing to provide high-quality signals corresponding to blood glucose levels, operating in the 122-126 GHz frequency range for improved resolution and reduced penetration depth, allowing for precise monitoring without physical penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If millimeter range radio waves are used for non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, then the monitoring becomes non-invasive, but the signal isolation from specific locations becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into multiple receive antennas arranged in an array, allowing the signal from different spatial locations to be segmented and isolated individually through beamforming techniques. This enables the system to extract signals from specific blood vessels while rejecting signals from other locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial dimensionality by using multiple receive antennas arranged in a specific geometric pattern. By processing signals from multiple spatial dimensions, the system can isolate signals from specific locations beneath the skin surface, solving the signal isolation problem in the non-invasive monitoring context.
2Measurement precision
If multiple receive antennas are used to isolate signals from specific locations, then the signal quality improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple receive antenna elements into a unified antenna array structure with shared signal processing circuitry. By merging the functional elements and using beamforming to electronically steer the reception pattern, the system achieves high signal quality without proportionally increasing the physical device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple receive antennas serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enable signal isolation from specific locations, provide spatial filtering to reject unwanted signals, and allow for beamforming to focus on particular blood vessels. This multi-functionality justifies the increased number of antenna elements.
3Measurement precision
If beamforming and Doppler effect processing are employed, then the monitoring precision improves, but the signal processing burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beamforming processing to pre-isolate and focus signals from specific spatial locations before further analysis. By performing this spatial filtering action preliminarily, the system reduces the complexity of subsequent Doppler effect processing and glucose level extraction, as the input signals are already spatially refined.
4Measurement precision
If the frequency range is set to 122-126 GHz, then the resolution improves and penetration depth is reduced, but the signal processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects a specific frequency range (122-126 GHz) within the millimeter wave spectrum, optimizing the balance between resolution and penetration depth for blood glucose monitoring. This parameter selection enables sufficient spatial resolution to isolate blood vessel signals while maintaining adequate penetration through skin and tissue, and the fixed frequency range simplifies the signal processing requirements compared to broader bandwidth approaches.
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 non-invasive, precise monitoring of blood glucose levels with a smaller form factor and reduced signal processing burden, improving the quality and accuracy of the signals obtained from blood vessels like the basilic vein, potentially reducing costs and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transmit antenna configured to transmit millimeter range radio waves over a 3D space below the skin surface of a person
Implementation Method 2
the means for isolating a signal from a particular location in the 3D space in response to receiving the radio waves on the multiple receive antennas
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring a health parameter in a person is disclosed. The system includes at least one transmit antenna configured to transmit millimeter range radio waves over a 3D space below the skin surface of a person, multiple receive antennas configured to receive radio waves, the received radio waves including a reflected portion of the transmitted radio waves, and means for isolating a signal from a particular location in the 3D space in response to receiving the radio waves on the multiple receive antennas and outputting a signal that corresponds to a health parameter of the person in response to the isolated signal.