Multi-Channel Spectrometer for Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Raman spectroscopy faces challenges in achieving a good signal-to-noise ratio when detecting analytes like glucose in biological samples due to weak spectral signals amidst noisy backgrounds, requiring improved methods for data acquisition and processing to enhance sensitivity and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A multi-channel spectrometer device with optical modulators transforming radiation signals using distinct transfer functions, optimized based on the ratio of reference spectra, to enhance signal intensity and separate analyte signals from background noise, allowing for non-invasive, precise glucose concentration measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Raman spectroscopy is used to detect analytes in biological samples, then non-invasive measurement capability is achieved, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to weak spectral signals amidst noisy backgrounds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-invasive measurement capabilityVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the spectral detection into multiple channels, each targeting specific frequency ranges or analytical components. By segmenting the complex spectral data into manageable channels, the system can enhance specific analyte signals while filtering out background noise, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio without sacrificing non-invasive measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the spectral analysis from traditional single-dimension wavelength detection to multi-dimensional analysis by incorporating multiple detection channels with different transfer functions. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous optimization for both non-invasive access and enhanced signal discrimination through parallel processing of spectral information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple optical modulators with distinct transfer functions are used to enhance signal intensity and separate analyte signals from background noise, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidnumber of optical modulators
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs optical modulators with transfer functions that serve multiple purposes: they simultaneously enhance analyte signal intensity and provide background noise rejection. This multi-functionality allows a single modulator to accomplish what would traditionally require multiple separate components, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the transfer function parameters of the optical modulators to achieve maximum signal enhancement and noise rejection efficiency. By carefully selecting and tuning parameters such as bandwidth, center frequency, and gain characteristics, the system achieves high signal-to-noise ratio with a manageable number of modulators, balancing measurement precision with device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3317625B1Dedicated transformation spectroscopy
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO ELECTRONICS CENT (IMEC VZW)
  • EP3317625B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3317625B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3317625B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a multi-channel spectrometer device (10) for detecting/quantifying a predetermined analyte (5) in a medium (6). The device (10) comprises an input (11) for receiving radiation (7), a first plurality of optical modulators (12) adapted for transforming the radiation (7) in accordance with a first transfer function, and a second plurality of optical modulators (13) adapted for transforming the radiation (7) in accordance with a second transfer function. The spectrometer device also comprises a detector (15) for generating output signals (4) indicative for the intensity of each transformed radiation signal. The ratio of the number of optical modulators in the first plurality and the number of optical modulators in the second plurality is determined by the ratio of a reference spectrum of the predetermined analyte transformed by the first transfer function and the reference spectrum transformed by the second transfer function.