Mid-Infrared Laser Glucose Sensor Using Optical Parametric Oscillator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive methods for measuring blood glucose levels suffer from low accuracy and require complex configurations or analysis, making it difficult to achieve high precision and ease of use for continuous monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A device using mid-infrared laser light with a wavelength of 9.26 μm, oscillated by an optical parametric oscillator, is applied to the skin to measure glucose concentration in epithelial interstitial fluid, employing a simple configuration with a window and optical waveguides to enhance light intensity and reduce background noise, allowing for accurate glucose level detection without invasive methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-invasive optical methods are used to measure blood glucose, then patient comfort is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light source from conventional near-infrared to mid-infrared region (specifically 9.26 μm), where glucose has stronger absorption characteristics. This parameter change enables non-invasive measurement to achieve accuracy comparable to invasive methods by exploiting the stronger molecular vibration absorption of glucose in the mid-infrared region
2Device complexity
If simple measurement configuration is used, then ease of use is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using optical waveguides to concentrate and guide the mid-infrared laser light to the specific measurement location on the skin. This localized optical guidance ensures sufficient light intensity at the measurement point while maintaining an overall simple device configuration, achieving both ease of use and high accuracy
3Measurement precision
If mid-infrared laser light is used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or chemical measurement systems with an optical field-based measurement system using mid-infrared laser. This substitution simplifies the overall device architecture while achieving high accuracy through the specific interaction of mid-infrared light with glucose molecules, eliminating the need for invasive blood sampling or complex chemical reagents
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 device achieves high accuracy in measuring blood glucose levels with a simple setup, reducing measurement time and patient stress, and providing results comparable to invasive methods with improved precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a laser oscillator that oscillates a first laser light having a wavelength that is within the range 2.5 μm to 12 μm, and that is absorbed by the substance;
Implementation Method 2
a light-guiding unit that guides the first laser light to the body, and guides first diffused reflected light that is generated by the first laser light from the body
Implementation Method 3
measures the concentration of substance that is included in the blood of a body... a wavelength that is within the range 2.5 μm to 12 μm, and that is absorbed by the substance
Implementation Method 4
a light-detection unit that detects the light intensity of the first diffused reflected light
Data Source
AI summary
The concentration of substance in blood is measured non-invasively, with high accuracy and with simple configuration. Laser light generated by a light source is locally irradiated on the body epithelium of a subject, and the resulting diffused reflected light is detected by a light detector. The laser light has a wavelength of 9.26 μm. The laser light is generated by converting and amplifying pulsed excitation light from an excitation light source to a long wavelength. A plate-shaped window that is transparent to mid-infrared light is brought in close contact with the body epithelium. The glucose concentration in interstitial fluid can be calculated using normalized light intensity calculated from a signal ratio of signals from a monitoring light detector and the light detector.