Wearable Analyte Detection via Functionalized Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring blood analytes, especially rare or small molecules like glucose and tumor cells, are invasive, inconvenient, and often require large blood samples, leading to delayed diagnosis and low sensitivity due to high noise levels in non-invasive measurements.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device that uses functionalized particles to bind with target analytes and applies directed energy to convert a biologically active agent, allowing for non-invasive detection of analyte concentrations through analyte response signals, enabling real-time monitoring of physiological parameters without the need for invasive blood sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensing techniques are used to detect analytes, then the measurement can be performed with existing technology, but the sensitivity is low and large quantities of blood must be drawn
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system segments the blood analysis process into multiple stages: functionalized particles bind to target analytes in vivo, then the bound complexes are concentrated at the detection site using magnetic fields or other separation techniques. This segmentation allows detection of rare analytes without requiring analysis of large blood volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
Functionalized particles act as intermediaries between the target analytes and the detection system. These particles bind specifically to rare analytes (such as circulating tumor cells or molecules), amplifying the signal and enabling detection with high sensitivity using minimal blood sample volume.
2Ease of operation
If non-invasive analyte detection is performed from outside the body, then patient compliance and convenience are improved, but the signal-to-noise ratio is low making it difficult to discern target analytes
Solution Approach 1:
Functionalized particles are introduced into the patient's body in advance to bind with target analytes before detection. This preliminary binding action occurs in vivo, allowing subsequent non-invasive detection to achieve high signal-to-noise ratio because the particles have already concentrated the target analytes at the detection site.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical or chemical parameters of the detection process by using functionalized particles with specific binding properties. This allows the target analytes to be distinguished from background noise through their unique interaction with the particles, enabling high-sensitivity non-invasive detection.
3Loss of time
If frequent blood testing is performed to monitor analyte levels, then real-time health status assessment is improved, but the invasive nature and patient burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical invasive blood sampling process with a non-invasive detection method. Functionalized particles enable analyte detection through external sensing techniques (such as optical, magnetic, or electrical detection), eliminating the need for repeated needle sticks and blood draws while maintaining real-time monitoring capability.
4Measurement precision
If large volumes of blood are analyzed to detect rare analytes like circulating tumor cells, then detection sensitivity is improved, but the time required for identification and quantification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts target analytes from the blood sample by using functionalized particles that specifically bind to them. This extraction concentrates the rare analytes (such as circulating tumor cells) onto the particles, allowing rapid detection without the need to analyze large volumes of blood, thus reducing both sample volume requirements and detection time.
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
Enables real-time, high-density, non-invasive monitoring of physiological parameters, improving sensitivity and convenience by differentiating target analytes from background noise, facilitating timely medical interventions and reducing the need for large blood samples.
Implementation Method 1
a source configured to apply directed energy into the tissue through the external surface, wherein the directed energy is sufficient to convert the biologically active agent from the inactive state to the active state
Implementation Method 2
a detector configured to detect an analyte response signal transmitted from tissue through the external surface
Implementation Method 3
the functionalized particles are configured to bind with one or more target analytes
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device includes a mount to mount the wearable device on a living body and a detector to detect an analyte response signal transmitted from tissue in the living body. The tissue contains a biologically active agent in an inactive state and functionalized particles. The biologically active agent can be converted to an active state that can affect a biological state of the living body. The functionalized particles are configured to bind with a target analyte, the presence or absence or concentration or abundance of which is correlated with the biological state. The analyte response signal is related to interaction of the target analyte with the functionalized particles. A source can apply directed energy into the tissue that is sufficient to convert the biologically active agent from the inactive state to the active state. A processor can determine a presence or absence or concentration or abundance of the analyte based on the analyte response signal.