Implantable Glucose Sensor Membrane for Long-Term Optical Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implantable sensors for continuous glucose monitoring face challenges such as limited sensor lifetime, mechanical instability, and increased risk of contamination, which hinder long-term reliable monitoring of glucose levels in body fluids.
Innovation Solution
A fully implantable sensor element with a measurement chamber plate illuminated by a quantum cascade laser, utilizing a biocompatible polymer membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of at least 15 kDa to filter large molecules and prevent contamination, allowing for reagent-free continuous monitoring of glucose levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional implantable sensors are used for continuous glucose monitoring, then glucose level detection is enabled, but sensor lifetime is limited and mechanical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/electrochemical sensor systems with an optical detection system. A quantum cascade laser emits light that passes through a measurement chamber containing body fluid, and an optical detector measures the absorbed light to determine glucose concentration. This optical substitution eliminates mechanical wear and enzymatic degradation, enabling long-term stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from electrochemical (conventional) to optical absorption (invention). By measuring the absorption of specific wavelengths of light by glucose molecules in the mid-infrared range, the system achieves long-term stability without the lifetime limitations of enzymatic sensors.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If implantable sensors are used for long-term monitoring, then continuous glucose detection is achieved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from a complex implantable sensor system and isolates it in a measurement chamber. Only essential components (light source, measurement chamber, optical detector) remain, reducing potential contamination sources. The optical detection method also eliminates the need for enzymatic reagents that could degrade or contaminate the system.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing contact-based electrochemical sensing with non-contact optical detection, the system eliminates pathways for contamination. The quantum cascade laser and optical detector measure glucose through light absorption without physical contact with body fluids, significantly reducing contamination risk during long-term monitoring.
3Duration of action of moving object
If optical systems are used for long-term glucose monitoring, then sensor lifetime is extended, but measurement precision is affected by water absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific wavelengths of light that are absorbed by glucose but not by water. The quantum cascade laser is tuned to emit light at wavelengths corresponding to glucose's fundamental vibrational modes, creating a localized detection window where glucose signal dominates over water background, thereby maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter from broadband or visible light to mid-infrared light at specific wavelengths. By operating in the mid-infrared spectral range where glucose has strong absorption bands and water absorption is minimized, the system achieves both long-term stability and high measurement precision for glucose detection.
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
The solution provides enhanced mechanical stability, reduced contamination risk, and prolonged sensor functionality, enabling reliable and continuous glucose monitoring for extended periods without the need for reagents.
Implementation Method 1
at least one illumination source designed to generate at least one illumination light beam in at least one spectral range
Implementation Method 2
illumination light beam in at least one spectral range... wavelength in the infrared spectral range
Implementation Method 3
the measurement chamber plate is designed to generate at least one reflection light beam in response to the illumination by the illumination light beam
Implementation Method 4
the measurement chamber plate comprises at least one biocompatible polymer membrane having a molecular weight cutoff of at least 15 kDa
Implementation Method 5
detecting at least one property of the reflection light beam and to generate at least one sensor signal dependent on the presence of the analyte
Data Source
AI summary
A fully implantable sensor for detecting an analyte in a body fluid sample is disclosed. The sensor includes a chamber plate that receives the body fluid sample. The chamber plate has a biocompatible polymer membrane having a molecular weight cutoff of at least 15 kDa. The sensor also includes a quantum cascade laser illumination source that generates an illumination light beam in a spectral range and transmits the light beam to the chamber plate. In response to the illumination light beam at least partially illuminating the chamber plate, the chamber plate generates a reflection light beam that at least partially illuminates the body fluid sample within the chamber plate. The sensor has an optical detector that detects at least one property of the reflection light beam and generates a sensor signal that correlates to the presence of the analyte. The sensor includes a controller to evaluate the sensor signal.