Microwave Skin Hydration Sensing With Calibration Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive blood glucose measurement systems fail to provide real-time, accurate readings due to the difficulty in measuring glucose levels in the bloodstream directly, relying instead on interstitial fluid measurements with significant time lags and inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive system that measures blood glucose levels by transmitting microwave energy to subcutaneous blood vessels, using a tailored RF mask to focus energy on a specific target area, and calculating glucose levels based on energy absorption differences compared to a calibration value, with additional sensors for compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical methods are used to measure blood glucose levels, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to the difficulty in detecting glucose in the bloodstream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection methods with microwave radiation absorption measurement. Instead of using light to detect glucose, the system uses microwave energy at specific frequencies (e.g., 2.45 GHz) that are absorbed by water molecules in blood, with absorption variations indicating glucose levels. This substitution of the detection mechanism resolves the contradiction by achieving both non-invasive operation and improved measurement accuracy through a different physical principle better suited for detecting glucose in blood.
2Productivity
If interstitial fluid measurement is used, then continuous monitoring is achieved, but real-time accuracy deteriorates due to time lag between interstitial fluid and blood glucose levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement target from interstitial fluid back to the bloodstream itself. By placing the microwave sensor in direct contact with or very close to blood vessels, the system measures glucose directly in the blood rather than inferring it from interstitial fluid. This extraction of the measurement target eliminates the time lag problem while maintaining continuous monitoring capability, as the sensor continuously measures blood glucose directly without relying on the delayed interstitial fluid glucose levels.
3Measurement precision
If microwave energy is transmitted to measure blood glucose, then direct blood glucose measurement is achieved, but individual variations in absorption cause measurement inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes through calibration procedures that adjust measurement parameters for each individual user. The system includes calibration modes where users provide reference blood glucose values (e.g., from fingerstick tests), and the system uses these to calibrate the microwave absorption measurements specific to that individual's blood characteristics, vessel depth, and tissue composition. This dynamic adjustment of measurement parameters resolves the contradiction by maintaining direct blood glucose measurement accuracy while adapting to individual variations through calibrated parameter adjustments.
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
Provides real-time, accurate blood glucose readings without time lag, utilizing a direct absorptive measuring system that compensates for individual variations, offering continuous monitoring and improved accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
measuring how much overall emitted microwave energy is transmitted to and subsequently accepted by blood vessels within a defined and fixed target area
Data Source
AI summary
A hydration level tracking system and method measures microwave energy accepted by skin in a desired target area of a user or patient in order to determine, in real time and in vivo, representative hydration levels. A measurement unit comprises a transmitter operatively connected to an antenna to deliver energy towards appropriate layer. The measurement unit determines an accepted energy power value of the skin associated with the desired target area. This measurement energy power value is compared with a calibration value, and the difference is used to determine a representative hydration level value. The determined hydration value may further be acclimatized using additional sensed values compensating for biological and ambient factors relevant to the patient. The final determined hydration level value can be displayed for reading and/or transmitted and stored for recording for further reference.