Blood Glucose Meter Clock Generator Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blood glucose meters face challenges in achieving accurate measurements quickly while minimizing power consumption, particularly in hospital settings where multiple patients need rapid glucose level determination, due to the need for high sampling clock frequencies that increase power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A blood glucose meter design that includes a clock generator setting the sampling clock frequency based on the required resolution and slope of the blood glucose reaction curve, switching from continuous to intermittent clock pulses after blood spotting is detected, allowing for accurate measurement with reduced power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the frequency of the sampling clock is set to a sufficiently high value to correctly detect the start of the biochemical reaction, then measurement accuracy is improved, but power consumption of the A/D converter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sampling clock frequency variable rather than fixed. The clock generator dynamically adjusts the sampling frequency based on the measurement phase: using high frequency during the critical initial reaction detection phase and reducing to low frequency during subsequent stable measurement phases. This resolves the contradiction by providing high measurement precision only when necessary while minimizing power consumption during other phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through multi-phase sampling cycles. The sampling process is divided into distinct periodic phases: an initial high-frequency sampling period for detecting reaction onset, followed by lower-frequency sampling periods for continuous monitoring. This periodic variation in sampling intensity achieves accurate reaction start detection while reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous high-frequency sampling.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the sampling clock frequency is set low to reduce power consumption, then power usage is reduced, but the moment when blood contacts reagent cannot be correctly detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing high-frequency sampling during the critical initial phase before the biochemical reaction fully develops. The system proactively detects the reaction start moment using intensive sampling, then transitions to lower-frequency sampling once the reaction is underway. This preliminary high-precision detection ensures accurate timing while avoiding the need for sustained high-power consumption throughout the entire measurement process.
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 balance between measurement accuracy and low power consumption by optimizing the sampling clock frequency, ensuring efficient operation in portable devices while maintaining rapid glucose level determination.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting element such as a LED or the like is used to radiate light onto a test paper
Implementation Method 2
the light reflected at the test paper is detected by a light-receiving element such as a photodiode or the like
Implementation Method 3
the detected light is converted into digital data by an A/D converter
Implementation Method 4
a biochemical reaction is caused by contacting blood with a reagent, and thereby the glucose value is converted into color density or electrical signal
Data Source
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Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention provides a blood glucose meter in which a good balance between measurement accuracy and low power consumption can be achieved by performing measurement with a frequency of sampling clock that ensures sufficient accuracy as well as with minimum time. A clock for acquiring digital data from an A/D converter is determined based on a required resolution and a slope of a blood glucose measurement curve. Clock generators are configured so that the sampling clock is suitably set according to operating modes of the blood glucose meter. Particularly, the clock generators are configured so that high-speed clock pulses are continuously generated in a mode that determines measurement start, and, from the time when spotting is detected, measurement operation of a timer and the like is started, and the mode is switched from continuously generating the clock pulse to intermittently generating the clock pulses.