Wearable Electrochemical Sensor for Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring
Solution Overview
Problem
Current glucose monitoring methods for diabetes patients are invasive, painful, and require active patient participation, leading to noncompliance and inefficiencies in disease management.
Innovation Solution
Development of non-invasive, wearable electrochemical sensors that use reverse iontophoresis to extract glucose from interstitial fluid and detect it using electrochemical sensors, allowing for continuous monitoring without skin puncture and enabling pain-free, user-friendly glucose tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive blood glucose monitoring methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but patient comfort and ease of operation deteriorate due to pain and skin puncture requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical puncture-based blood sampling system with an electrochemical system using reverse iontophoresis. Electrical current is applied to extract interstitial fluid through the skin without mechanical penetration, thereby eliminating pain while enabling continuous glucose monitoring through electrochemical detection methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces interstitial fluid as an intermediary medium between the blood glucose and the sensor. Instead of directly measuring blood glucose through puncture, the sensor measures glucose in the interstitial fluid that naturally equilibrates with blood glucose levels, enabling non-invasive continuous monitoring
2Productivity
If continuous glucose monitoring is implemented, then productivity and information availability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device integrates multiple functions into a single platform: reverse iontophoresis for fluid extraction, electrochemical sensing for analyte detection, and continuous monitoring capabilities. This multi-functional integration enables continuous glucose monitoring while managing device complexity through consolidated design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous operation of the sensor system through sustained reverse iontophoresis and continuous electrochemical detection. The system maintains constant monitoring by continuously extracting interstitial fluid and detecting glucose levels, providing uninterrupted data flow for effective diabetes management
3Ease of operation
If non-invasive sensing methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to difficulty in detecting analytes through skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reverse iontophoresis, an electro-hydraulic principle, to actively transport interstitial fluid containing glucose through the skin to the sensor surface. This active fluid transport mechanism overcomes the barrier of skin penetration without mechanical puncture, maintaining measurement precision while achieving non-invasive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs electrochemical parameter changes (oxidation-reduction reactions) to detect glucose concentrations in the interstitial fluid. By measuring changes in electrical current or potential resulting from glucose oxidation at the electrode, the system achieves accurate quantification of glucose levels through non-invasive means
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
The sensors provide continuous, accurate glucose monitoring, reducing patient discomfort and improving compliance by allowing for non-invasive, real-time tracking of glucose levels, enhancing diabetes management and potentially monitoring other analytes like alcohol and lactate.
Implementation Method 1
an iontophoretic electrode structured on the substrate to at least partially encompass the working electrode and operable to apply an electric field to drive ion flow from interstitial fluid (ISF) toward the working electrode
Implementation Method 2
the working electrode includes a electrochemical transducer layer including a catalyst to selectively catalyze a corresponding analyte in the ISF to cause a reaction detectable at the anodic and cathodic electrode assemblies
Implementation Method 3
the working electrode includes a electrochemical transducer layer including a catalyst to selectively catalyze a corresponding analyte in the ISF to cause a reaction detectable at the anodic and cathodic electrode assemblies
Data Source
AI summary
A non-invasive epidermal electrochemical sensor device includes an adhesive membrane; a flexible or stretchable substrate disposed over the adhesive membrane; and an anodic electrode assembly disposed over the flexible or stretchable substrate including an iontophoretic electrode. The device includes a cathodic electrode assembly disposed adjacent to the anodic electrode assembly over the flexible or stretchable substrate and includes an iontophoretic electrode. Either the cathodic electrode assembly or the anodic electrode assembly also includes a sensing electrode that includes a working electrode and at least one of a counter electrode or a reference electrode. The iontophoretic electrode in either the anodic electrode assembly or the cathodic electrode assembly that includes the sensing electrode is disposed on the substrate to at least partially encompass the working electrode and the at least one of the counter electrode or the reference electrode. The device includes an electrode interface assembly including independent electrically conductive contacts.