Multi-Channel Optical Device for Non-Invasive Diabetes Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive diabetes screening methods are costly and not scalable for widespread use due to high manufacturing costs and lack of reusability, and existing technologies cannot effectively measure blood glucose levels using absorption spectra maps like those for oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive, reusable device that measures light transmission and reflection characteristics through human tissue using a multi-channel measurement system with LED light sources and sensors, coupled with a supervised learning algorithm to detect clinical properties such as glycated hemoglobin levels without requiring pre-known absorption spectra maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If home immunoassay kits are used for diabetes screening, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but cost per test increases to at least $15
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, non-reusable immunoassay kits with a reusable optical device that uses inexpensive LED light sources and sensors. The device can perform multiple screenings without degradation, eliminating the need to dispose of costly test components after each use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/chemical immunoassay system with an optical measurement system using LEDs and photodetectors. This replaces complex biochemical reagents and processing mechanisms with simpler optical measurements that can be performed repeatedly at low cost.
2Measurement precision
If home immunoassay kits are used for diabetes screening, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but time required per test increases to 5 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the multi-step chemical processing required by immunoassay kits with immediate optical measurements. The LED-based system provides real-time or near-real-time readings without requiring incubation, mixing, or other time-consuming procedural steps.
3Ease of operation
If pulse oximetry technology is used for non-invasive measurement, then ease of operation is improved, but applicability to diabetes screening deteriorates due to lack of absorption spectra maps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal optical measurement platform that can screen for multiple conditions including diabetes, anemia, and other blood-related disorders. The same device architecture and measurement approach used for pulse oximetry can be applied to diabetes screening by analyzing different spectral characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts from measuring oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry) to measuring glycated hemoglobin levels (diabetes screening) by analyzing different spectral parameters. The device measures light absorption at multiple wavelengths to detect the presence and concentration of glycated hemoglobin, extending the utility of pulse oximetry technology to diabetes detection.
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
Enables low-cost, scalable screening for diabetes and other medical conditions by accurately measuring glycated hemoglobin levels, reducing costs and improving accessibility for widespread screening.
Implementation Method 1
The Beer-Lambert law relates the passage of light at a constant intensity through a homogeneous substance to the path length the light travels, the concentration of the substance, and the molar absorptivity constant
Implementation Method 2
a portion of the emitted light energy is reflected to the first light sensor and a portion of the emitted light energy is transmitted to the second light sensor by human tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-channel measurement device for measuring properties of human tissue, may comprise a microcontroller and first and second source/sensor complexes. The first source/sensor complex may include a first housing having a first measurement portion, a first light sensor coupled to the microcontroller and exposed to the first measurement portion, and a first plurality of light sources coupled to the microcontroller and exposed to the first measurement portion. The second source/sensor complex may include a second housing having a second measurement portion, a second light sensor coupled to the microcontroller and exposed to the second measurement portion, and a second plurality of light sources coupled to the microcontroller and exposed to the second measurement portion. The first and second source/sensor complexes are coupled to each other such that the first measurement portion is opposite the second measurement portion and human tissue may be placed between the first and second measurement portions. The microprocessor is configured with instructions stored in non-volatile memory to individually activate each of the light sources of the first and second pluralities of light sources and to record light intensity detected by the first and second light sources while an individual light source is activated. Each combination of an individually activated light source and one of the first and second light sensors provides a distinct measurement channel for measuring the absorption spectra of human blood and tissue.