Non-invasive Glucose Sensing via Terahertz Tear Layer Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring blood glucose levels in diabetes patients are invasive, costly, and generate significant medical waste, causing discomfort and environmental harm.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive glucose sensing mechanism using controlled electromagnetic waves, specifically Terahertz waves, to determine blood glucose levels by analyzing the reflection characteristics of the tear layer on the eyeball, eliminating the need for disposable medical supplies and invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If disposable lancing devices and test strips are used for glucose monitoring, then glucose level measurement can be performed, but economic cost and medical waste increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive blood sampling system with an electromagnetic radiation-based optical detection system. Terahertz waves are used to penetrate and detect glucose levels in tissue without physical contact or disposal of medical supplies, thereby eliminating the waste associated with disposable lancing devices and test strips while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Terahertz electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium to transfer information about glucose levels from the body to the detector without requiring direct contact or consumption of physical test materials. This intermediary approach enables repeated measurements without depleting or disposing of physical resources.
2Measurement precision
If disposable lancing devices and test strips are used for glucose monitoring, then glucose level measurement can be performed, but economic cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the consumable mechanical test strip system with a reusable electromagnetic detection system. Terahertz wave generation and detection equipment can be used repeatedly without consumable test materials, significantly reducing the economic cost per measurement while maintaining glucose level measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous and repeated glucose measurements using the same electromagnetic detection device without requiring replacement of test strips or lancets. The system can perform multiple measurements over time with a single device, eliminating the recurring economic cost of disposable supplies.
3Measurement precision
If blood sampling is performed using lancing devices, then glucose level can be measured, but physical discomfort and pain are inflicted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the invasive mechanical puncture method with a non-contact electromagnetic radiation method. Terahertz waves can penetrate and detect glucose levels in tissue without breaking the skin or causing physical discomfort, while still providing accurate glucose measurement data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses Terahertz electromagnetic waves as an intermediary that can interact with biological tissue to extract glucose information without direct physical contact or invasion. This intermediary approach allows measurement while avoiding the harmful physical effects of needle punctures and blood sampling.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If contact lens with electrochemical sensors is used for non-invasive glucose testing, then blood glucose test becomes non-invasive, but patient convenience is reduced due to wearing requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the contact lens-based electrochemical sensing system with an external electromagnetic radiation detection system. Terahertz waves can detect glucose levels through the skin and tear film without requiring the patient to wear any device, thereby maintaining non-invasiveness while significantly improving convenience and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the contact lens and places it in an external device that uses Terahertz electromagnetic radiation. This separation allows the sensing capability to be maintained while removing the burden of wearing contact lenses, making the system more convenient for patients.
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
Provides a convenient, pain-free, and waste-free method for monitoring blood glucose levels, offering accurate results without the need for disposable supplies and reducing patient discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
an incident beam of electromagnetic waves with known characteristics, preferably in the Terahertz band, is generated and projected onto the surface of the eyeball, which is naturally reflected by the tear layer
Data Source
AI summary
System and method of using electromagnetic radiation signals to non-invasively test a glucose level in a subject. During operation, an incident beam of Terahertz waves is generated and projected onto the surface of the eyeball, which is naturally reflected by a tear layer. The reflected Terahertz waves are detected and characterized to determine the reflection characteristics of the tear layer, e.g., an axial ratio of reflection coefficients in two polarization orientations. Provided with the determined axial ratio and according to a predetermined correlation among axial ratio, tear glucose level and blood glucose level, the current blood glucose level in the subject can be derived and presented to a user.