Sweat Analysis Device with Secretion Rate Normalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sweat analysis has not been widely adopted in physiological and clinical settings due to the lack of a suitable methodology to correlate sweat analyte readings with blood concentrations and infer physiologically meaningful information, primarily due to variations in sweat-gland secretion rates.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for sweat analysis that includes a sensing module to induce sweat and generate signals responsive to analyte concentrations, with a calibrating sensor to account for secretion rates, allowing for the derivation of normalized blood analyte concentrations using a processor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sweat analysis is performed without correcting for secretion rate variations, then sweat analyte concentrations can be measured, but the measurements cannot be reliably correlated to blood concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrelation accuracy between sweat and blood analyte concentrationsVSAvoidcomplexity of secretion rate monitoring and normalization system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary normalization factor (secretion rate) that mediates between raw sweat analyte measurements and blood concentrations. By measuring secretion rate as an intermediate parameter and using it to normalize sweat analyte concentrations, the system establishes a reliable correlation to blood levels without requiring direct comparison methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct sweat analyte concentration measurement to normalized analyte concentration measurement. This parameter transformation (dividing analyte concentration by secretion rate) converts unreliable raw measurements into reliable physiological indicators that correlate with blood concentrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If sweat-gland secretion rate varies, then sweat can be produced under different physiological conditions, but the analyte concentration readings become inconsistent and cannot infer physiological information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to measure sweat under varying physiological conditionsVSAvoidconsistency of analyte concentration readings

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic measurement system that adapts to varying secretion rates in real-time. By continuously monitoring secretion rate and dynamically normalizing analyte concentrations based on current secretion conditions, the system maintains measurement reliability across different physiological states rather than relying on fixed calibration values

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback by using measured secretion rate information to adjust and normalize analyte concentration readings. This closed-loop approach where secretion rate measurements feed back into the calculation of normalized analyte concentrations ensures that variations in secretion conditions are compensated for, maintaining consistency across different physiological states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20210076991A1In-situ sweat rate monitoring for normalization of sweat analyte concentrations

Publication Date: 2021.03.18 RGT UNIV OF CALIFORNIA

AI summary

A device for sweat analysis includes: (1) a sensing module configured to induce sweat and generate a sensing signal responsive to a sweat concentration of a target analyte in induced sweat, the sensing module including a calibrating sensor to generate a calibration signal responsive to a secretion rate of the induced sweat; and (2) a processor connected to the sensing module, the processor configured to derive a measurement of the sweat concentration of the target analyte from the sensing signal, and to derive a normalized measurement of a blood concentration of the target analyte from the calibration signal.