Passive RF Glucose Sensor Using Resonance Frequency Readout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with diabetes often fail to monitor their glucose levels frequently due to convenience, testing discretion, and cost, leading to inadequate glycemic control.
Innovation Solution
An analyte monitoring system using an on-body device that senses glucose levels and translates them into a resonance frequency, eliminating the need for an external power supply and reducing complexity by using a self-biased sensor and passive transistor circuitry, allowing wireless communication with a reader device to determine the resonance frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional glucose monitoring systems are used, then glucose levels can be measured, but the devices require external power supplies and complex circuitry, increasing cost and device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the power supply and complex processing circuitry from the implantable sensor device, leaving only the essential sensing elements. The sensor becomes a passive device that modulates an RF carrier signal, with all power and processing functions moved to an external reader device, thereby simplifying the implantable device structure while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an RF carrier signal as an intermediary medium to transmit measurement data from the sensor to the external reader. The sensor modulates this carrier signal with glucose measurement information, enabling data transmission without requiring power or complex circuitry in the implantable device, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and device complexity
2Measurement precision
If traditional glucose monitoring systems are used, then glucose levels can be measured, but the cost of the device increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts expensive components such as power supplies, processors, and communication modules from the implantable sensor device, retaining only the simple sensing elements. This dramatically reduces manufacturing costs of the implantable device while maintaining measurement precision, as the removed functions are implemented in the external reader device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable or replaceable sensor element that can be manufactured at low cost using simple materials and processes. The sensor element is designed to be replaced periodically, eliminating the need for expensive rechargeable batteries or complex power management circuits, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining measurement accuracy
3Reliability
If frequent glucose monitoring is performed, then glycemic control improves, but patient convenience decreases due to testing burden and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous glucose monitoring by implementing a sensor that can continuously measure and transmit glucose levels without interruption. The external reader device continuously receives and processes the modulated RF signals, providing real-time glucose data, thereby improving glycemic control reliability while maintaining patient convenience through automated continuous measurement rather than repeated manual testing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-powered sensing mechanism where the sensor element harvests minimal power from the RF carrier signal itself or uses passive energy harvesting from the body's thermal energy or motion. This eliminates the need for battery replacement or recharging, making the device truly convenient for frequent or continuous use while maintaining reliable glycemic control data
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
Simplifies the design and reduces the cost of glucose monitoring devices while improving accuracy and convenience, enabling frequent glucose level monitoring without the need for additional power sources or complex circuitry.
Implementation Method 1
this frequency characteristic is a resonance or resonant frequency
Implementation Method 2
A separate device can wirelessly transmit an electromagnetic field at a range of frequencies and determine the resonance frequency based on the response received from the on body device
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Embodiments that translate a sensor measurement to a frequency characteristic are disclosed. The frequency characteristic can be wirelessly detected by a reader device. The detected frequency characteristic can be used to determine the corresponding sensor measurement. Devices utilizing this approach can be characterized or calibrated to increase accuracy. Systems and methods utilizing the approaches are also described.