Skin Spectroscopy Using Tissue-Simulated Unit Spectra for Glucose Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive methods for measuring biological substances like blood sugar levels face challenges due to the confounding effects of basal optical properties of tissues and the small glucose signal, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using a spectrometer to emit light to the skin, detect the returned light, and measure a skin spectrum, combined with a processor that estimates the biological substance based on the measured spectrum and a unit spectrum acquired through biological tissue simulation, including correction for light scattering and subtraction of pure spectra.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an invasive method is used to measure blood sugar level, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to pain, inconvenience, and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive blood collection method (syringe puncture) with an optical measurement system (spectrometer) that uses light interaction with skin tissue to estimate blood sugar levels, thereby eliminating physical intrusion and associated harms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to indirectly measure blood sugar levels through skin tissue, avoiding direct blood contact while still obtaining measurement data through the interaction between light and biological substances
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-invasive method using spectrometer is used to measure blood sugar level, then object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to complexity of biological tissue interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a prediction model that copies the relationship between light spectrum and blood sugar concentration based on training data, enabling accurate estimation without direct measurement complications from biological tissue variability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the complex biological measurement problem into a spectral parameter analysis problem, where blood sugar concentration is estimated by analyzing changes in light absorption and scattering parameters across different wavelengths rather than direct chemical measurement
3Measurement precision
If biological tissue simulation solution with scatterers is used, then measurement precision is improved by accounting for light scattering, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses homogeneous biological tissue simulation solutions with uniformly distributed scatterers (gelatin, intralipid, or serum) that consistently reproduce light scattering behavior, simplifying the complexity while maintaining measurement precision through standardized composition
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
Accurately estimates biological substances like blood sugar levels by simulating tissue properties, reducing measurement errors and enhancing accuracy through light scattering simulation and spectrum subtraction.
Implementation Method 1
The biological tissue simulation solution may include a scatterer that stimulate a light scattering phenomenon in biological tissue
Implementation Method 2
The spectrometer may measure the skin spectrum based on at least one of infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for estimating a biological substance in a user using a unit spectrum for the biological substance acquired using a biological tissue simulation solution is provided. The apparatus may include a spectrometer configured to emit a light to a skin of a user, detect the light returned from the skin, and measure a skin spectrum of the user from the detected light and a processor configured to estimate a biological substance in the user based on the measured skin spectrum and a unit spectrum acquired using a biological tissue simulation solution.