Mid-Infrared Glucose Monitoring via Temperature Derivative Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spectroscopic methods for non-invasive substance concentration measurement, such as glucose in the bloodstream, face challenges in accuracy and reliability due to temperature fluctuations and thermal equilibrium issues, which affect the measurement of mid-infrared radiation signals.
Innovation Solution
The method involves calculating a temperature derivative (dT/dt) and using mid-infrared radiation measurements across specific wavelength bands to correlate with substance concentration, employing a wearable device with a ring-shaped heating/cooling element and MIR detector to induce controlled temperature changes and measure radiation during temperature recovery, thereby isolating glucose emission/absorption signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature changes are induced to enhance substance concentration measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but temperature fluctuations introduce measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic temperature modulation to the measurement surface, cycling between elevated and baseline temperatures. By measuring infrared radiation during specific phases of this periodic cycle (particularly during cooling), the system enhances the detectability of substance-specific thermal signatures while maintaining reliability through the predictable, repeating nature of the temperature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary temperature elevation before the actual measurement phase. This preliminary heating action creates a controlled thermal state that enhances the infrared radiation signal from the substance, allowing for more precise concentration measurements. The temperature is then allowed to return to baseline, and measurements are taken during this recovery phase when the substance's thermal signature is most distinct.
2Measurement precision
If temperature is elevated to enhance radiation signal, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but thermal equilibrium issues reduce measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic temperature modulation rather than static heating. The temperature is continuously varied in a controlled manner, transitioning between elevated and baseline states. This dynamic approach prevents the system from reaching thermal equilibrium, maintaining a constant temperature gradient that enhances radiation signal detection while avoiding the measurement errors associated with thermal equilibrium conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary temperature elevation to create enhanced radiation signals, then allows the temperature to naturally return to baseline. Measurements are specifically taken during this recovery phase, before thermal equilibrium is fully reestablished, capturing the substance's thermal signature when the temperature gradient is still present and most informative.
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 approach enhances the accuracy of substance concentration monitoring by smoothing data and correlating it with gold standard blood glucose measurements, allowing for continuous and reliable monitoring of glucose levels over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
inducing a change in a temperature (T) of a surface of a body over time (t) by heating or cooling with an element
Implementation Method 2
measuring a first amount of infrared ('IR') radiation absorbed by or emitted from the surface of the body in a first wavelength band and a second amount of IR radiation absorbed by or emitted from the surface of the body in a second wavelength band
Implementation Method 3
a transmission window structure in direct thermal communication with the ring-shaped heating and/or cooling element and attached to the housing such that a line of sight of the MIR detector passes through the transmission window structure
Data Source
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AI summary
A substance concentration analysis method includes calculating a difference for the particular time between a first measured amount of mid-infrared (MIR) radiation absorbed by or emitted from a body in a first wavelength and a second measured amount of MIR radiation absorbed by or emitted from the body in a second wavelength, calculating a quotient including a dividend based on the difference divided by a divisor based on a dT/dt value, and calculating the concentration of the substance in the body based on a correlation with the quotient.