Non-Invasive Glucose Analysis via Optical Refractive Index Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for non-invasive glucose measurement in human tissue are complex, costly, and lack efficiency, requiring improvements for easier and more reliable analysis.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing an optical medium in contact with the skin, emitting modulated electromagnetic excitation beams that induce local heating, and detecting changes in the optical medium's refractive index or density through reflected measuring beams, allowing for accurate glucose concentration determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-invasive glucose measurement methods are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functionally independent modules: excitation beam source, measuring beam source, detection device, and evaluation device. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve complex measurement capabilities while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design. The excitation beam module generates thermal effects, the measuring beam module detects refractive index changes, and the evaluation module processes signals - this segmentation enables non-invasive operation without requiring a single complex integrated system.
2Measurement precision
If photoacoustic spectroscopy with acoustic sensors is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical acoustic detection system with an optical detection system. Instead of using acoustic sensors to detect pressure waves from photoacoustic spectroscopy, the invention uses a measuring light beam to detect refractive index changes in the optical medium caused by thermal effects. This substitution eliminates the need for complex acoustic sensing hardware while achieving comparable or superior measurement precision through optical interference and refractive index measurement techniques.
3Measurement precision
If multiple wavelengths are used for analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The excitation beam source is designed to emit multiple wavelengths simultaneously, with each wavelength targeting different absorption characteristics of glucose and water. The system uses wavelength modulation to excite vibrational modes at different frequencies, and the measuring beam detects the combined thermal effects. This multi-functional approach allows precise differentiation of glucose concentration from water content and other tissue components without requiring separate measurement systems for each wavelength.
4Ease of operation
If optical medium contact with skin is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation device implements feedback processing to compensate for environmental interferences. By continuously monitoring the measuring beam intensity changes and comparing them against reference values, the system identifies and corrects for variations caused by temperature, humidity, and pressure changes. The feedback mechanism adjusts measurement parameters in real-time to maintain accuracy despite the optical medium being in direct contact with the skin surface, where environmental conditions fluctuate.
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 easy, reliable, and cost-effective non-invasive glucose monitoring by analyzing the substance's absorption properties and thermal responses, providing precise glucose concentration measurements.
Implementation Method 1
emitting one or more electromagnetic excitation beams into a volume of the material below a first region of a surface of the material
Implementation Method 2
which induces local heating in the material
Implementation Method 3
detecting changes in the optical medium's refractive index or density through reflected measuring beams
Implementation Method 4
A measuring beam is emitted which is reflected at least once at an interface between the optical medium and the surface of the material
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a device (10) for analyzing a substance (101) with an excitation transmitter device (100) for generating at least one electromagnetic excitation beam (SA), in particular an excitation light beam, with at least one excitation wavelength, a detection device (106) for detecting a reaction signal (SR) and a device (107) for analyzing the substance on the basis of the detected reaction signal (SR).