Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Measurement Using Millimeter Wave Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive methods for measuring blood glucose concentrations using millimeter waves face challenges in accuracy and reproducibility due to contact issues with the coaxial probe and high dielectric loss materials, limiting precise measurement of dielectric constants and glucose concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A device and method employing a millimeter wave generator, TE10 mode rectangular waveguide, plane parallel plate, power detectors, temperature sensor, and reader to achieve non-invasive measurement by determining the minimal power reflection coefficient and corresponding frequency, allowing for accurate glucose concentration determination based on dielectric characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the open-ended coaxial line method is used to measure dielectric characteristics of high dielectric loss materials, then the measurement can be performed, but the measurement accuracy and reproducibility are poor due to contact issues between the coaxial probe and the material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plane parallel plate as an intermediary component between the waveguide and the dielectric material under test. This plate serves as a mediator that eliminates direct contact requirements between the measurement device and the material, thereby resolving the contact issue while maintaining measurement accuracy. The plate is positioned to create a controlled electromagnetic field interaction without physical contact with the sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based open-ended coaxial line method with a waveguide-based electromagnetic field interaction system. Instead of relying on physical contact between the probe and material, the system uses electromagnetic waves interacting with the material through the plane parallel plate, eliminating mechanical contact issues while improving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If the vector network analyzer is used to measure dielectric constant, then the measurement can be performed, but the accuracy is limited to ±5% which is insufficient for precise glucose concentration measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by using a waveguide system with a plane parallel plate to measure the reflection coefficient of electromagnetic waves at different frequencies. This approach measures variations in the reflection coefficient (which can be done with high precision) rather than directly measuring dielectric constant with limited accuracy, thereby enabling more precise glucose concentration detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the vector network analyzer measurement system with a waveguide-based reflection coefficient measurement system. The new system uses electromagnetic wave reflection characteristics through the plane parallel plate, which provides higher measurement precision and sensitivity for detecting small changes in glucose concentration compared to the ±5% accuracy limitation of the vector network analyzer.
3Ease of operation
If non-invasive measurement methods are used to avoid blood sampling pain, then user comfort is improved, but measurement accuracy and reproducibility deteriorate due to contact issues with high dielectric loss materials
Solution Approach 1:
The plane parallel plate acts as an intermediary that enables non-invasive measurement while maintaining high measurement precision. It allows electromagnetic waves to interact with the dielectric material without requiring direct contact between the measurement device and the sample, thus preserving user comfort while eliminating the reproducibility issues associated with direct contact methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces contact-based measurement methods with a waveguide-based electromagnetic field interaction system. This substitution maintains the non-invasive advantage for user comfort while improving measurement precision and reproducibility by eliminating the variability introduced by manual contact between the probe and the high dielectric loss material.
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 solution enhances measurement accuracy and reproducibility, enabling precise non-invasive monitoring of blood glucose concentrations with minimal user discomfort and reduced economic burden, while potentially integrating into portable devices for self-monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a millimeter wave generator for creating electromagnetic waves in a specified frequency band; a waveguide for transmitting a millimeter wave generated by the millimeter wave generator
Implementation Method 2
a plane parallel plate having a refractive index and a thickness determined according to a measuring frequency band, and installed between an end of the waveguide and a dielectric object under test
Implementation Method 3
yield a minimal point of a power reflection coefficient of a reflected millimeter wave in the specified frequency band
Implementation Method 4
power detectors for detecting a power of an incident wave and a power of a reflected wave
Implementation Method 5
a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of an object, and compensating for an output variation caused by a temperature change of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for the non-invasive measurement of blood glucose concentrations by millimeter waves. The device includes a millimeter wave generator; a TE10 mode rectangular waveguide transmitting a millimeter wave generated by the millimeter wave generator; and a plane parallel plate chosen to yield a minimal point of the power reflection coefficient of the millimeter wave incident to and reflected from the dielectric object under test via the TE10 mode rectangular waveguide and the plane parallel plate. The device also includes power detectors detecting the powers of the incident wave generated by the millimeter wave generator and the reflected wave from the dielectric object via the plane parallel plate; a temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the dielectric object; and a reader reading the minimum power reflection coefficient and a corresponding frequency from the incident and reflected wave detected by the power detectors.