Millimeter-Wave Glucose Monitoring Using Amplitude and Phase Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring blood glucose levels are invasive, and non-invasive techniques using millimeter range radio waves have not been effectively implemented in practical systems, particularly in wearable devices like smartwatches.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that transmit millimeter range radio waves in the 122-126 GHz frequency range to monitor blood glucose levels by isolating signals from specific blood vessels using beamforming and Doppler effect processing, reducing penetration depth and improving signal quality, allowing for a smaller form factor and integration into wearable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If millimeter range radio waves are transmitted at frequencies below 60 GHz, then penetration depth into the body is increased, but signal quality deteriorates due to reflections from unwanted anatomical features such as bone and tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter from below 60 GHz to the 122-126 GHz range. This parameter change reduces penetration depth but simultaneously improves signal quality by minimizing reflections from unwanted anatomical features, resolving the contradiction between penetration depth and signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional blood glucose monitoring methods (mechanical puncture and chemical analysis) with electromagnetic wave-based detection. By using radio waves in the 122-126 GHz range, the system achieves non-invasive measurement with improved signal quality through reduced unwanted reflections
2Reliability
If traditional non-invasive techniques using millimeter range radio waves are implemented, then blood glucose monitoring capability is achieved, but device form factor becomes too large for wearable integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter to 122-126 GHz, which reduces the wavelength and allows for smaller antenna elements and processing circuits. This enables the device to be miniaturized for wearable integration while maintaining blood glucose monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the received signal into amplitude and phase components, and further processes them through beamforming and Doppler effect analysis. This segmentation allows for more efficient signal processing that reduces computational burden and enables compact implementation in wearable devices
3Measurement precision
If radio waves are transmitted across a broad frequency range, then sensing resolution is improved, but signal processing burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses stepped frequency transmission across the 122-126 GHz range, transmitting radio waves at multiple discrete frequencies. This provides high sensing resolution through frequency diversity while the stepped approach allows for efficient signal processing by comparing responses at different frequencies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic transmission of radio waves at stepped frequencies, allowing the system to process signals in discrete steps. This periodic action at different frequencies provides high resolution sensing while managing computational complexity through structured signal acquisition
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 provides higher resolution sensing, reduces signal processing burden, and improves signal quality by minimizing reflections from unwanted anatomical features, enabling accurate and non-invasive blood glucose monitoring in wearable devices.
Implementation Method 1
isolating signals from specific blood vessels using beamforming and Doppler effect processing
Implementation Method 2
isolating signals from specific blood vessels using beamforming and Doppler effect processing
Implementation Method 3
transmitting radio waves below the skin surface of a person
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A method for monitoring a health parameter in a person is disclosed. The method involves transmitting radio waves below the skin surface of a person and across a range of stepped frequencies, receiving radio waves on a two-dimensional array of receive antennas, the received radio waves including a reflected portion of the transmitted radio waves across the range of stepped frequencies, generating data that corresponds to the received radio waves, wherein the data includes amplitude and phase data, and determining a value that is indicative of a health parameter in the person in response to the amplitude and phase data.