Non-Contact Glucose Sensing via Diffuse Reflectance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive glucose monitoring methods require body contact, which limits continuous and convenient glucose monitoring, especially for daily activities and sleep, and face challenges in accurately measuring glucose levels over a meter-scale distance using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy due to light intensity and signal response issues.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact diffuse optical skin reflectance method using a center-illumination-area-detection geometry with near-infrared light and a specific band of wavelengths, allowing for remote sensing of glucose levels at a stand-off distance of 0.5 to 2.0 meters by varying the optical circuit and applying algorithms to unravel tissue/fluid scattering and absorption effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-contact diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is used to measure glucose at meter-scale distance, then non-invasiveness and convenience are improved, but light intensity and signal response deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from contact-based measurement to non-contact measurement by changing the spatial dimension of the measurement geometry. The probe is positioned at meter-scale distances (0.5-2.0 meters) from the target, utilizing diffuse reflectance of light off body surfaces or fluids contained in transparent containers, thereby eliminating the need for direct contact while maintaining measurement capability through optical path optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transparent containers as intermediaries to hold body fluids (blood, urine, sweat, saliva) for remote optical measurement. These containers serve as mediators between the non-contact probe and the biological sample, allowing light to pass through the container walls and interact with the fluid while maintaining non-contact measurement geometry.
2Ease of operation
If non-contact diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is used to measure glucose at meter-scale distance, then non-invasiveness is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes changes in optical parameters (absorption, scattering, reflectance) of light as glucose concentration varies in the body fluid. By measuring these parameter changes at multiple wavelengths and applying calibration algorithms, the system achieves accurate glucose level determination despite the non-contact measurement geometry, transforming physical parameter changes into quantitative glucose concentration data.
3Productivity
If non-contact diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is used, then continuous monitoring capability is improved, but light collection efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous glucose monitoring by maintaining uninterrupted optical measurement sequences. The non-contact probe can continuously emit light and collect diffuse reflectance signals from body surfaces or fluids in transparent containers without interruption for sampling or contact adjustment, providing continuous data streams for real-time glucose level tracking during daily activities and sleep.
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 enables accurate, non-invasive glucose level measurement at a meter-scale distance with a linear relationship between diffuse reflectance and glucose concentration, achieving sensitivity and reducing collection time, as demonstrated by experiments with glucose control solutions varying over three orders of magnitude.
Implementation Method 1
non-contact diffuse reflectance method using a center-illumination-area-detection geometry with near-infrared light
Implementation Method 2
unravel tissue/fluid scattering and absorption effects
Implementation Method 3
unravel tissue/fluid scattering and absorption effects
Data Source
AI summary
Contained herein is a system and method for using non-contact diffuse optical skin reflectance method to obtain remote sensing of in-vivo glucose levels in biological tissue or fluids. One embodiment uses an optical, non-contact method capable of measuring glucose levels at a stand-off distance of 0.5 to 2 meters. In this method, the tissue is illuminated with a collimated beam of near-infrared (optical) band of light having a specific band of wavelengths. The diffuse reflectance measured from the tissue/fluid is collected while varying the optical circuit. Using the collected data, an algorithm to unravel the mixed effects of tissue/fluid scattering and absorption is applied to determine the absorption level of the light, which is then associated with a quantitative glucose level.