Non-Invasive Glucose Detection via Fluorescence Lifetime Regression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glucose concentration measurement systems, particularly non-invasive ones, face challenges such as weak detection signals, interference from background tissues, and instability due to blood volume changes, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in monitoring blood glucose levels.
Innovation Solution
A method involving irradiation of a subject's biological molecules with electromagnetic radiation to measure fluorescence decay, processing the data to identify feature points and generate feature vectors, and applying these vectors to a regression model to determine analyte concentration, utilizing machine learning for improved accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-invasive optical-based systems are used to measure glucose concentration, then user-friendliness and comfort are improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to weak detection signals and interference from background tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from light intensity to fluorescence lifetime. This parameter transformation allows measurement of glucose concentration based on the temporal decay characteristics of NADH fluorescence rather than intensity, which is unaffected by blood volume changes and tissue background interference, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluorescence emission characteristics of NADH molecules, which exhibit specific spectral properties. By detecting the fluorescence decay profile rather than intensity, the system exploits the inherent optical properties of biological molecules to achieve precise non-invasive measurement while maintaining user comfort
2Device complexity
If light intensity based spectrum analysis is used, then detection simplicity is improved, but stability deteriorates due to blood volume change caused by cardiac impulse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the detection parameter from light intensity to fluorescence lifetime. This change eliminates sensitivity to blood volume fluctuations because lifetime is an intrinsic molecular property that remains constant regardless of concentration changes, thereby achieving both detection simplicity and stability
3Measurement precision
If traditional invasive glucose measurement systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and user-friendliness deteriorate due to skin pricking and blood sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive sampling method with an optical non-invasive detection method. By using fluorescence lifetime measurement of NADH molecules through electromagnetic radiation, the system eliminates the need for skin pricking and blood collection while achieving accurate glucose concentration determination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces NADH fluorescence lifetime as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure glucose concentration. Instead of directly measuring glucose, the system detects changes in NADH fluorescence decay characteristics that correlate with glucose levels, enabling non-invasive measurement with high precision
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 enables a more reliable, efficient, and accurate non-invasive measurement of glucose concentrations, reducing interference and instability issues, and providing a continuous, real-time monitoring solution.
Implementation Method 1
biological molecules arranged to absorb the electromagnetic radiation and to emit fluorescence in response
Implementation Method 2
biological molecules arranged to absorb the electromagnetic radiation and to emit fluorescence in response
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a subject includes irradiating a part of the subject with electromagnetic radiation, wherein a part of the subject comprises biological molecules arranged to absorb the electromagnetic radiation and to emit fluorescence in response. The method also includes measuring fluorescence emitted to obtain data representative of a fluorescence decay. The method further includes processing the data to determine one or more feature points associated with the fluorescence decay and to generate one or more feature vectors based on the one or more feature points, and applying the one or more feature vectors to a regression model for the analyte to determine the concentration of the analyte. Also provided is a system for determining a concentration of an analyte in a subject, as well as a measurement device for facilitating determination of a concentration of an analyte in a subject.