Pressure-Compensating Blood Component Measurement via Segmented Force Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive blood-component measuring apparatuses fail to accurately compensate for applied pressure, which affects glucose measurements in capillaries, particularly when monitoring blood glucose levels, as they do not effectively isolate pressure changes specific to the finger pressing against the electrodes from other forces.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-compensating non-invasive blood-component measuring apparatus featuring electrically insulated parallel electrodes on a dielectric membrane, a main circuit board with a force sensor, and a housing design with metal rods and an elastomeric material to isolate and measure pressure changes, ensuring accurate glucose measurement by compensating for applied pressure without external influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a simple pressure sensor is used to measure applied pressure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to isolate pressure changes specific to finger pressing from other forces
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure measurement system is segmented into multiple functional components: a force sensor for detecting total force, an intermediate board with elastomeric material for isolating finger pressure, and a bottom circuit board for signal processing. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate board with elastomeric material is introduced as a mediator between the force sensor and the housing. This intermediary component isolates the force sensor from external forces applied to the housing, ensuring that only pressure changes from finger pressing are measured. The elastomeric material acts as a mechanical filter that transmits only vertical finger pressure while blocking lateral forces.
2Measurement precision
If the bottom circuit board is rigidly fixed to the housing, then the structural stability is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to transmission of external forces to the force sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate board with elastomeric material serves as a mediator between the bottom circuit board and the housing. This intermediary maintains the structural connection while filtering out external forces, allowing the bottom circuit board to remain stable during normal operation while preventing force transmission during measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material on the intermediate board acts as a flexible element that decouples the rigid bottom circuit board from the housing. This flexible connection maintains structural integrity for positioning while allowing selective force transmission, enabling the system to distinguish between structural stability requirements and measurement requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the dielectric membrane is completely rigid, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to accommodate finger pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric membrane is designed with different mechanical properties in different regions: the central area maintains rigid characteristics for precise electrode positioning and electrical insulation, while the peripheral areas have enhanced flexibility to accommodate finger pressure. This local differentiation allows the membrane to maintain manufacturing precision while improving ease of operation during use.
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
The apparatus provides accurate glucose measurements by isolating pressure changes specific to the finger pressing on the electrodes, ensuring reliable compensation and minimizing interference from other forces, thus enhancing the precision of blood glucose monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring applied pressure by means of a force sensor supported by a bottom circuit board
Implementation Method 2
an intermediate board that is guided but not restrained by said fixing elements, wherein said intermediate board is arranged to apply force onto said force sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure compensating non-invasive blood-component measuring device has electrically insulated parallel electrodes mounted on a dielectric membrane (106). A main circuit board (201) provides electrical connections to the electrodes and has an orifice (402) to allow flexing. A housing supports the main circuit board, with a second orifice to facilitate the application of a finger onto the insulated electrodes. A bottom circuit board (401) supports a force sensor (408) and fixing elements (313, 314) secure the bottom circuit board to the top circuit board, such that the bottom circuit board does not contact the housing directly. An intermediate board (316) is guided but not restrained by the fixing elements, and is arranged to apply force onto said force sensor.