Monolithic Injectable Wireless Bio-Sensing SoC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bio-sensing systems using needles for monitoring health metrics like skin hydration and glucose levels are invasive and uncomfortable, requiring maintenance and disrupting user lifestyle.
Innovation Solution
Development of monolithic injectable wireless smart sensing systems-on-chip (SoCs) that can be painlessly injected into the skin, powered by ambient light or a reader antenna, featuring small size, integrated antennas, and innovative circuit designs for power and clock recovery, enabling in-vivo glucose monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional needles are used for monitoring health metrics, then measurement precision is achieved, but user comfort and ease of operation deteriorate due to discomfort and lifestyle impingement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle-based sensing system with a wireless monolithic device that can be painlessly applied to the skin. The mechanical intrusion of needles is substituted by a non-invasive wireless sensor that maintains measurement precision while eliminating discomfort and lifestyle restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the sensing device from a solid needle structure to a flexible monolithic device with dimensions optimized for skin application. The device can be stretched to conform to skin curvature, changing its mechanical properties to achieve both comfort and measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If monolithic integration is implemented to reduce device size, then ease of operation improves through painless injection, but device complexity increases due to integrated antennas and circuit designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components (sensors, antennas, power management circuits, clock recovery subsystems) into a single monolithic device. This integration enables the device to be small enough for painless injection while maintaining all necessary functions through careful consolidation of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic device performs multiple functions simultaneously: sensing health metrics, wireless communication, power harvesting from ambient light or reader antenna, and clock recovery. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single integrated structure that can be painlessly applied to the skin.
3Ease of operation
If device size is reduced for injectable application, then ease of operation improves, but power supply capability worsens due to limited space for power components
Solution Approach 1:
The device harvests its own power from ambient light sources or the reader antenna through integrated photovoltaic cells or electromagnetic induction. This self-powering capability eliminates the need for large battery components, enabling small injectable size while maintaining operational power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the reader antenna as an intermediary for both power transfer and data communication. The reader wirelessly transmits power to the implanted device and receives sensed data, eliminating the need for physical power connections and enabling minimal invasive application.
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 system allows for unobtrusive, low-maintenance, and painless monitoring of health metrics, with demonstrated linear glucose concentration recordings and successful in-vivo power and data transfer, showcasing the feasibility of small, monolithic integration for bio-sensing applications.
Implementation Method 1
a receiving antenna for receiving the signal transmitted from the at least one reader antenna
Implementation Method 2
the power supply subsystem may include a plurality of diodes
Implementation Method 3
demonstrated linear glucose concentration recordings
Data Source
AI summary
Systems are provided for a wireless system-on-chip (SoC) with integrated antenna, power harvesting, and biosensors. An illustrative SoC can have a dimension of 200 μm×200 μm×100 μm to allow painless injection. Such small device size is enabled by: a 13 μm×20 μm 1 nA current reference, optical clock recovery, low voltage inverting dc-dc to enable use of higher quantum efficiency diodes, on-chip resonant antenna, and an array-scanning reader.