Microneedle Skin Patch Optical Trap for Accurate Glucose Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blood glucose measuring methods using microneedle patches suffer from measurement errors due to mixed light reflection from invaded and non-invaded skin areas, causing pain and fear in patients.
Innovation Solution
A microneedle skin patch with an optical trap that allows light reflection only from microneedle-disposed areas to reach the photodetector, while blocking light from non-disposed areas, ensuring uniform enzymatic reaction measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light is emitted to the reaction layer without optical trap, then both microneedle portions and non-microneedle portions contribute to light reflection detection, but measurement precision deteriorates due to mixed light signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patch is divided into distinct functional zones: microneedle portions that penetrate skin and non-microneedle portions that do not. The optical trap further segments the light detection by spatially separating light paths from these two zones, allowing only microneedle portion light to reach the photodetector. This segmentation enables precise measurement of enzymatic reactions at the microneedle sites without contamination from non-invaded skin areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the patch are assigned different functional properties. The microneedle portions have penetrating capability and localized enzymatic reaction sites, while non-microneedle portions serve as control areas. The optical trap applies local quality control by selectively transmitting light only from microneedle regions, ensuring that measurement properties are optimized for the specific functional zone being detected.
2Measurement precision
If conventional needle method is used for blood glucose measurement, then measurement can be performed, but patient comfort deteriorates due to pain and fear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical needle puncture system with a microneedle array system that minimizes skin invasion. Instead of a single sharp needle causing significant pain, multiple microneedles with rounded tips gently penetrate the skin surface. Combined with optical detection that requires minimal pressure for light reflection, this substitution dramatically reduces mechanical trauma while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The microneedle patch serves multiple functions: it mechanically penetrates skin to access interstitial fluid, provides a substrate for enzymatic reactions through the reaction layer, and enables optical detection of measurement signals. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate components (needle, chemical reagent, detector) into a single integrated device, improving patient comfort while maintaining measurement 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
Reduces measurement errors by uniformly measuring enzymatic reactions, minimizing pain and fear in patients.
Implementation Method 1
light, which is reflected by only one portion among a portion in which the microneedle is disposed and a portion in which the microneedle is not disposed when the light is emitted to the reaction layer
Implementation Method 2
an optical trap which allows light, which is reflected by only one portion among a portion in which the microneedle is disposed and a portion in which the microneedle is not disposed when the light is emitted to the reaction layer, to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 3
a reaction layer which reacts with glycation products of skin
Implementation Method 4
measuring blood glucose from blood collected by pricking skin using a needle in order to measure glycation end products such as blood glucose
Data Source
AI summary
In the invention, only light reflected by a portion in which a microneedle is disposed arrives on a photodetector, and light reflected by a portion in which the microneedle is not disposed does not arrive on the photodetector. Disclosed is a skin patch for measuring blood glucose including a patch including a skin attachment surface, a reaction layer which reacts with glycation products of skin, and a plurality of microneedles disposed on the skin attachment surface to guide the glycation products of the skin to the reaction layer and an optical trap which allows light, which is reflected by only one portion among a portion in which the microneedle is disposed and a portion in which the microneedle is not disposed when the light is emitted to the reaction layer, to pass therethrough, a method of manufacturing the same, and a blood glucose measuring apparatus using the same.