Lens Tissue Autofluorescence for Non-Invasive FFI Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and impaired fasting glucose screening are invasive, painful, and lack sensitivity and specificity, leading to many undetected cases and late-stage complications due to type 2 diabetes.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using autofluorescence response analysis of the lens tissue in the eye to determine the level of 2-(2-furoyl)-4(5)-furanyl-1H-imidazole (FFI) by activating an illuminator with a peak wavelength of 425 nm to 460 nm and analyzing images from a digital camera to calculate a total autofluorescence index, allowing for the detection of diabetes and pre-diabetes without pain or blood draws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current screening methods (finger stick glucose, blood draw) are used, then diabetes can be detected, but the process is invasive, painful, and lacks sensitivity and specificity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive blood sampling methods with optical excitation and fluorescence detection. An illuminator excites lens tissue at specific wavelengths (425-460 nm), and a detector captures fluorescence signals without penetrating the skin or requiring blood draws, eliminating pain while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lens tissue fluorescence as an intermediary marker for diabetes detection. Instead of directly measuring glucose in blood, the system detects FFI accumulation in the lens through its characteristic fluorescence response, providing indirect but accurate diabetes status information
2Reliability
If current screening methods are used, then some diabetes cases are detected, but many cases remain undetected leading to late-stage complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables early detection of diabetes and pre-diabetes by measuring FFI accumulation in the lens, which occurs before clinical symptoms appear. This preliminary detection allows intervention before the disease progresses to late stages with complications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from blood glucose levels to lens tissue fluorescence intensity. By measuring the fluorescence response of lens tissue excited at 425-460 nm, the system detects metabolic changes associated with diabetes earlier and more accurately than traditional methods
3Ease of operation
If non-invasive methods are developed, then patient comfort improves, but measurement precision and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an optical copy of the biochemical information contained in lens tissue. By measuring the fluorescence spectrum and intensity of lens tissue, the system captures diagnostic information without physical contact or invasion, maintaining both comfort and accuracy
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 method provides a convenient, accurate, and non-invasive means to detect diabetes and pre-diabetes, potentially preventing the progression to type 2 diabetes by early detection, thereby reducing the number of late-stage complications.
Implementation Method 1
discriminating an autofluorescence (AF) response of a lens tissue of an eye due to a current level of 2-(2-furoyl)-4(5)-furanyl-1H-imidazole (FFI) in the lens tissue by interrogating a lens tissue of an eye along a visual axis of the eye by activating an illuminator for a select time to produce interrogating irradiation having a peak wavelength of 425 nm to 460 nm
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided that includes discriminating an autofluorescence (AF) response of a lens tissue of an eye due to a current level of 2-(2-furoyl)-4(5)-furanyl-1H-imidazole (FFI) in the lens tissue by interrogating a lens tissue of an eye along a visual axis of the eye by activating an illuminator for a select time to produce interrogating irradiation having a peak wavelength of 425 nm to 460 nm, the illuminator comprising at least one light source and a focal lens positioned with respect to the light source. The method also includes obtaining at least one image of the autofluorescence response of the lens tissue from a detector, the detector including a digital camera unit, analyzing the at least one image to determine a total autofluorescence index of the lens tissue, and determining a current level of FFI in the lens tissue based, at least in part, on the total autofluorescence index.