Transdermal Analyte Sensor with Enzyme Electrodes for Alcohol Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals face difficulties in accurately estimating their blood alcohol concentration due to varying factors such as beverage alcohol content, hydration levels, and metabolism, making it challenging to determine if they are above legal limits for driving or boating.
Innovation Solution
A wearable transdermal analyte sensing device that uses a sensor cartridge with an analyte-permeable membrane and enzyme-modified working electrodes to generate an electrical current based on analyte concentration, transmitting this data to a mobile device for estimation of blood analyte levels, including alcohol, glucose, and urea, using additional user information for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a consumer relies on self-estimation of intoxication level, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision deteriorates because various factors (hydration level, metabolism, food consumption) influence intoxication levels and the consumer's ability to estimate decreases with increasing alcohol consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/self-estimation method with an electrochemical sensing system. The sensor cartridge contains enzyme-modified electrodes that electrochemically detect alcohol concentration in transdermal fluid, converting a subjective estimation problem into an objective electrical measurement. This substitution of measurement methodology resolves the contradiction by providing precise quantification without requiring complex user assessment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transdermal fluid as an intermediary medium between the bloodstream and the sensor. The alcohol concentration in transdermal fluid correlates with blood alcohol concentration, allowing indirect but accurate measurement. This intermediary approach enables precise measurement while keeping the device non-invasive and relatively simple, as it avoids direct blood sampling while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If transdermal fluid sampling is used to measure alcohol concentration, then the ease of operation is improved (non-invasive), but the reliability deteriorates due to the time lag between blood alcohol concentration changes and transdermal fluid concentration changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously accumulating and monitoring transdermal fluid alcohol concentration over time rather than relying on single-point measurements. The system tracks the temporal profile of alcohol absorption and elimination, allowing prediction of current blood alcohol concentration based on the integrated historical data. This continuous monitoring approach compensates for the time lag inherent in transdermal sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the measured transdermal alcohol concentration data to continuously update and refine the estimation of blood alcohol concentration. The system processes the sensor output through algorithms that account for the kinetic relationship between transdermal and blood concentrations, providing real-time feedback to the user about their actual intoxication level despite the inherent time delay in transdermal sampling.
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 reliable and accurate monitoring of blood analyte concentrations, enabling users to make informed decisions about their intoxication levels and compliance with legal limits through real-time data and alerts.
Implementation Method 1
an analyte-permeable membrane
Implementation Method 2
The analyte diffuses through the skin and into the sensor cartridge
Implementation Method 3
enzyme-modified working electrodes
Implementation Method 4
an electrical current is generated based on a concentration of the analyte
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a transdermal analyte sensor device. The device includes a sensor cartridge having a membrane permeable to a target analyte transdermally received from a subject, a reservoir containing a fluid to receive the target analyte through the membrane and an enzyme to react with the target analyte to form a byproduct, a working electrode to generate an electrical current based on a concentration of a byproduct, and a cartridge electrical contact to transmit the electrical current. The device also includes a device body having a device electrical contact to receive the electrical current from the cartridge electrical contact, a transmitter to transmit a signal based on the electrical current to a monitoring device, and a cartridge receptacle to receive the sensor cartridge and position the membrane to contact skin of the subject.