Wearable Optical Pulse Sensing for Noninvasive Glucose Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glucose monitoring systems require invasive blood draws, which are painful and inconvenient, especially for individuals with diabetes who need frequent monitoring. Additionally, these systems are not suitable for use in situations where drawing blood is dangerous or impractical, such as in military settings.
Innovation Solution
The use of near-infrared spectroscopy with brighter light sources, such as fiber-based supercontinuum lasers, to non-invasively measure glucose levels in the blood. This approach involves shining light through the teeth, which have fewer spectral artifacts than skin, and using pattern matching in spectral fingerprinting to identify the glucose signature amidst other blood constituents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive blood draw methods are used for glucose monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to pain and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive blood draw system with an optical measurement system. Near-infrared light is used to penetrate tissue and detect glucose levels non-invasively, eliminating needles and blood draws while maintaining measurement capability through optical absorption spectroscopy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary substance to transfer information about glucose levels from the blood to the detector without direct contact with blood. The optical signal acts as a mediator that carries glucose concentration information through tissue penetration and absorption characteristics
2Measurement precision
If brighter light sources are used in near-infrared spectroscopy, then signal level is improved, but use of energy worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light source to the near-infrared region (700-2500 nm), where tissue has higher transmission and glucose has characteristic absorption peaks. This parameter optimization allows detection at lower intensities compared to visible light, reducing energy consumption while maintaining signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic modulation of the light source at specific frequencies and uses synchronous detection techniques. This periodic action allows the system to extract weak glucose signals from background noise more efficiently, reducing the average power requirement of the light source while maintaining measurement sensitivity
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
This method increases the signal level and signal-to-noise ratio for glucose detection, reducing interference from other blood constituents and skin artifacts, thereby providing a more accurate and convenient means of glucose monitoring without the need for invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a light source comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes that are configured to generate an output optical light having one or more optical wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
A detection system configured to receive at least a portion of the lens output light reflected from the tissue and to generate an output signal
Implementation Method 3
The use of near-infrared spectroscopy with brighter light sources, such as fiber-based supercontinuum lasers, to non-invasively measure glucose levels in the blood
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device to measure a user's physiological parameters comprising one or more biosensors, as well as a light source comprising light emitting diodes, lenses for directing light towards tissue of the user comprising blood vessels, and a detection system receiving reflected tissue light. The physiological parameters, for example hypertension, are measured with a differential measurement. For example, the physiological parameters may be associated with pulse rate and blood flow. The output signal is associated with the physiological parameters, and artificial intelligence may be used in making decisions regarding the output signal. Signal-to-noise ratio of the output signal may be improved by synchronizing the detection system to the light source, increasing light intensity, and detecting a change. The wearable device is configured to determine that is being worn by the user and may be configured to communicate with a smartphone or tablet.