Multi-Wavelength Blood Glucose Measuring System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blood sugar measuring systems for laypeople outside a laboratory setting lack the necessary accuracy and robustness due to limitations in the quality and efficiency of photometric measurements, particularly in recognizing changes in boundary conditions independently of analyte detection.

Innovation Solution

A compact multi-wavelength light source with a first emitter for pulsating alternating light and a second emitter for fluorescent light, combined with a detector using a lock-in amplifier and signal processor, allows for selective signal evaluation and control measurements, eliminating the need for complex wavelength filters and enabling accurate analyte detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple separate light sources at different wavelengths are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light sources at different wavelengths into a single integrated unit. A first light source emits light at a first wavelength and a second light source emits light at a second wavelength, with both sources integrated into one compact structure that can be positioned close to the test element, eliminating the need for multiple separate light sources and complex wavelength selection filters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated light source unit serves multiple functions by simultaneously providing light at different wavelengths for both analyte detection and control measurements. This multi-functional design allows the single unit to perform what would traditionally require multiple separate light sources, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple separate light sources at different wavelengths are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light sources at different wavelengths into a single integrated unit. A first light source emits light at a first wavelength and a second light source emits light at a second wavelength, with both sources integrated into one compact structure that can be positioned close to the test element, eliminating the need for multiple separate light sources and complex wavelength selection filters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If wavelength selection filters are used, then selective signal detection is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective signal detectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex wavelength selection filters by using an integrated light source that directly emits light at specific wavelengths. The first light source is optimized for analyte detection while the second light source is optimized for control measurements, removing the intermediary filter components that would otherwise be required to select wavelengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If only single-wavelength light sources are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but ability to recognize boundary condition changes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidboundary condition recognition
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement function into two distinct wavelength ranges: a first wavelength range for analyte detection and a second wavelength range for control measurements. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each wavelength for its specific purpose, enabling the system to recognize boundary condition changes through control measurements while maintaining overall device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enhances measurement accuracy and robustness by allowing simultaneous analyte and control measurements, reducing equipment complexity and improving reliability in on-site blood sugar monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

the first radiator is formed by a light-emitting diode that emits in particular in the UV range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from light-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a second emitter excited in a second wavelength range to emit fluorescent light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

the second emitter is formed by a phosphor which is optically excited by the pulsed first emitter to emit particularly visible fluorescent light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Implementation Method 4

The detector advantageously has a photoreceiver for jointly detecting the alternating and fluorescent light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 5

the detector has a lock-in amplifier that can be modulated with the pulse frequency of the alternating light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLock-in detection: Homodyne Detection

Data Source

PatentEP2529199B1Measuring system and measuring method for determining blood glucose
Publication Date: 2015.06.10 ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH
  • EP2529199B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2529199B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring system, in particular for determining blood glucose, having a photometric measuring unit (16), which comprises a light source (22) and a detector (24), and an analytical test element (14) to which a sample can be applied, in particular a body fluid, and which can be moved in a beam path (18) between the light source (22) and the detector (24) for an optical detection of an analyte. For an improved multiwave length measurement, the light source (22) comprises a first emitter (26) that can be actuated in a first wavelength range for sending out pulsating alternating light (28) and a second emitter (30) that can be excited in a second wavelength range for emitting fluorescence light (32).