Implantable Biosensor Using Wireless Optical Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current metabolic monitoring technologies for diseases like diabetes are invasive, non-continuous, and require frequent calibration, limiting their effectiveness and patient compliance.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive or minimally invasive analyte sensing device with an implantable sensor platform and external control unit, utilizing wireless optical communication, optoelectronic circuit blocks, and biocompatible coatings for continuous monitoring of metabolic levels, capable of being implanted via a needle and powered by photovoltaic cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive blood drawing methods are used for glucose measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but patient compliance deteriorates due to frequent lancing and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive blood drawing system with an optical sensing system. The implantable sensor uses optical detection methods to measure glucose levels in interstitial fluid, eliminating the need for repeated needle lancing and blood draws, thereby maintaining measurement capability while dramatically improving patient comfort and compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary implantable sensor device that continuously monitors glucose levels in interstitial fluid. This intermediary device acts as a mediator between the body's metabolic processes and external monitoring systems, providing continuous data without requiring direct blood sampling, thus resolving the contradiction between accurate measurement and patient compliance
2Ease of operation
If non-invasive optical sensing is used for metabolic monitoring, then patient comfort is improved, but analyte specificity deteriorates due to light penetration limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the optical sensor is implanted within the body tissue, allowing light to be delivered and detected at the precise location of interest. The sensor is nested within the interstitial fluid compartment, enabling specific optical detection of glucose and other analytes without interference from overlying tissues, thus maintaining both patient comfort and analyte specificity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the optical sensing function at the specific implant site within interstitial fluid. The sensor is designed to detect analytes locally at the implantation site rather than attempting non-invasive detection through skin, providing high analyte specificity while maintaining patient comfort through minimal invasion
3Ease of operation
If implantable sensor platform is miniaturized to pass through small bore needle, then ease of implantation is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of multiple functional blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional blocks (optical source, detector, signal processing, and sensor elements) into a single integrated implantable platform. This consolidation reduces the overall device size to fit through small bore needles while maintaining all necessary functions, resolving the contradiction between ease of implantation and device functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The implantable sensor platform is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the sensing element and the signal processing unit. The device can detect multiple analytes and performs on-board signal processing, eliminating the need for separate external components and reducing overall system complexity despite the miniaturization requirements
4Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then metabolic control is improved, but need for frequent calibration deteriorates patient compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through on-board signal processing and automatic calibration capabilities within the implantable sensor. The device performs self-diagnosis and automatic calibration using internal reference standards, eliminating the need for frequent manual calibration by the patient, thus maintaining reliable continuous monitoring while improving ease of operation
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, accurate, and on-demand monitoring of metabolic levels, reducing the need for frequent calibration and improving patient compliance through a compact, wearable system.
Implementation Method 1
powered by photovoltaic cells
Implementation Method 2
wireless optical communication
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an analyte sensing device capable of continuously monitoring metabolic levels of a plurality of analytes. The device comprises an external unit, which, for example, could be worn around the wrist like a wristwatch or could be incorporated into a cell phone or PDA device, and an implantable sensor platform that is suitable, for example, for implantation under the skin. The external device and the internal device are in wireless communication. In one embodiment, the external device and the internal device are operationally linked by a feedback system. In one embodiment, the internal device is encapsulated in a biocompatible coating capable of controlling the local tissue environment in order to prevent/minimize inflammation and fibrosis, promote neo-angiogenesis and wound healing and this facilitate device functionality.