阅读说明：本技术 使用自适应射频电路和天线设计监测包含葡萄糖在内的血液的新型非侵入性生物、化学标志物和示踪剂监测装置 (Novel non-invasive biological, chemical marker and tracer monitoring device for monitoring blood containing glucose using adaptive radio frequency circuit and antenna design ) 是由 约瑟夫·科斯坦丁 鲁瓦达·肯吉 阿萨德·伊迪 于 2018-10-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：该装置无需抽血即可测量血液中的葡萄糖浓度。该装置是一种用于测量葡萄糖的射频和天线电路与系统的非侵入性方法。该装置是可穿戴设备,其可以以瞬时方式和连续方式无创地测量血糖水平。(The device can measure the glucose concentration in blood without drawing blood. The device is a non-invasive method of radio frequency and antenna circuits and systems for measuring glucose. The apparatus is a wearable device that can non-invasively measure blood glucose levels in an instantaneous manner and in a continuous manner.)

1. A monitoring device, comprising:

a body area network operably coupled to a plurality of device antenna arrays;

the body area network comprises a plurality of sensors and the plurality of device antenna arrays comprises a plurality of circular antenna arrays;

each circular antenna array comprises a first group of antenna arrays operating in the millimeter wave range and a second group of antenna arrays operating in the microwave range;

in the microwave range, at least two antenna elements are symmetrically placed opposite each other on the circumference of the device;

the plurality of device antenna arrays further includes filter elements and couplers including a media sensitive function.

2. The monitoring device of claim 1,

the plurality of circular antenna arrays are arranged in a circular manner;

the plurality of device antenna arrays further comprises a perimeter antenna array in the UHF range;

the plurality of device antenna arrays comprises at least four circular antenna arrays operating at about 60GHz and operably coupled to a waveguide-based feed network;

the plurality of device antenna arrays includes at least three elements that allow at least 8 antenna arrays to wrap around a body extremity.

3. The monitoring device of claim 2,

the spacing between the at least three elements of the plurality of device antenna arrays is about half a wavelength such that the beam directivity is at least 31.55 dBi.

4. The monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the antenna arrays operate at millimeter waves and each antenna array operates on a different channel within millimeter waves.

5. The monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of device antenna arrays are diametrically opposed, transmit signals to each other, and operate on the same channel, resulting in at least 4 dedicated channels.

6. The monitoring device of claim 3,

the at least three elements adjacent to the transmit/receive array capture the coupled electromagnetic field.

7. The monitoring device of claim 6,

the waveguide-based feed network is uniformly fed and follows distribution parameters, including P1-P8: reflection coefficients Sii representing inputs from the different antenna arrays on a particular operating channel; and P9-P16: representing transmission coefficients Sij, Sji, representing two for each pair of opposing antenna arrays, wherein the transmission coefficients are measured with respect to the opposing antenna array channels; and P17-P25 represent the received power of each antenna array, indirectly representing the gain.

8. The monitoring device of claim 2,

the plurality of device antenna arrays includes a plurality of antenna arrays, intervals between array elements of the plurality of device antenna arrays are changed, a plurality of radiation patterns of the array elements are changed, and a plurality of sensitivities of reflection and transmission parameters cover alternative positions of a human body.

9. The monitoring device of claim 8,

(ii) spacing a plurality of said intervals above or equal to a wavelength to produce a plurality of grating lobes; and, the number of arrays of the plurality of device antenna arrays is reduced to 4.

10. The monitoring device of claim 8,

a phased array of the plurality of device antenna arrays is used for beam steering to cover different locations of the body, and a second distribution parameter is defined as follows: P26-P29: reflection coefficients Sii representing inputs from different antenna arrays on a particular array operating channel; P30-P42: representing transmission coefficients Sij, Sji, two for each pair of opposing antenna arrays, with b, c, d (6 parameters); 152b have c, d (4 parameters); 152c has d (2 parameters); P43-P47: represents the power received by each antenna array, indirectly represents the gain, and wherein the best beam pattern is a triangular distribution comprising a plurality of minimum side lobes.

11. A method of monitoring, comprising:

a. operatively coupling a body area network to a plurality of device antenna arrays; the body area network comprises a plurality of sensors and the plurality of device antenna arrays comprises a plurality of circular antenna arrays;

b. operating each circular antenna array with a first set of antenna arrays in the millimeter wave range and a second set of antenna arrays in the microwave range; and

c. symmetrically placing at least two antenna elements opposite each other on the circumference of the device in the microwave range; comprising a filter element and a coupler comprising a function sensitive to a medium.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising arranging the plurality of circular antenna arrays in a circular manner, and the plurality of device antenna arrays further comprises a loop antenna array in the UHF range.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising at least four circular antenna arrays operating at about 60GHz and operably coupled to a waveguide-based feed network, wherein the plurality of device antenna arrays comprise at least three elements allowing at least 8 antenna arrays to be wrapped around a body extremity.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising spacing the antenna array elements about one-half wavelength such that beam directionality is at least 31.55 dBi; and operating the antenna arrays at millimeter waves and each antenna array on a different channel of the millimeter waves.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting a signal to each diametrically opposed array and operating the diametrically opposed arrays on the same channel, resulting in at least 4 dedicated channels.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising capturing the coupled electromagnetic field with at least three elements adjacent to the transmit/receive array.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising uniformly feeding the waveguide-based feed network and the waveguide-based feed network follows distribution parameters, including P1-P8: reflection coefficients Sii representing inputs from different antenna arrays on a particular operating channel; and P9-P16: representing transmission coefficients Sij, Sij representing two for each pair of opposing antenna arrays, wherein the transmission coefficients are measured with respect to the opposing antenna array channels; and P17-P25 represent the received power of each antenna array, indirectly representing the gain.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: varying the spacing between array elements of a plurality of antenna arrays, varying the radiation pattern of the array elements, and covering alternate locations of the human body with sensitivity to reflection and transmission parameters.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising spacing a plurality of the intervals above or equal to a wavelength to produce a plurality of grating lobes; and, the number of arrays of the plurality of device antenna arrays is reduced to 4.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising using a phased array for beam steering to cover different locations of the body, and a second distribution parameter is defined as follows: P26-P29: reflection coefficients Sii representing inputs from different antenna arrays on a particular array operating channel; P30-P42: representing transmission coefficients Sij, Sji, two for each pair of opposing antenna arrays, with b, c, d (6 parameters); 152b have c, d (4 parameters); 152c has d (2 parameters); P43-P47: represents the power received by each antenna array, indirectly represents the gain, and wherein the best beam pattern is a triangular distribution comprising a plurality of minimum side lobes.

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for processing data received from sensors.

Background

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that diabetic patients will proliferate from 3.82 billion in 2013 to 5.92 billion in 2030 world health organizations have announced it as a global epidemic the annual cost of Diabetes management will increase from $ about 3760 billion in 2013 to $ 4900 billion in 2030 management of DM involves strict glycemic control with a target HbAlc of 7% to reduce complications.

Currently, monitoring of blood glucose concentration is mainly performed by a self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) system, which involves the user pricking a finger for each evaluation. Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMS) are also used to monitor blood glucose, particularly for patients using insulin pumps. Almost all SMBG systems use cost-effective electrochemical biosensors, which suggest using an automatic blood lancet device to prick a finger to obtain a blood sample, which can be painful, as DM patients need to frequently monitor blood glucose 4 to 7 times a day. CGMS systems, while minimally invasive, are limited in patient discomfort, the need for continuous calibration, and high sensitivity to biofouling. Current techniques for blood glucose self-monitoring tend to be invasive, painful and costly.

CGMS was introduced as a minimally invasive solution that utilizes interstitial fluid (ISF) to estimate Blood Glucose (BG) values. This invasive technique is widely accepted and used by type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients to continuously monitor their blood glucose levels on a daily basis. The present invention seeks to address these and other problems.

Disclosure of Invention

Systems, methods, and devices are provided herein for use in non-invasive biological, chemical marker, and tracer monitoring devices for monitoring blood, including glucose, using RF circuitry and antenna designs. The monitoring device generally comprises: a body area network operably coupled to a plurality of device antenna arrays; the body area network comprises a plurality of sensors and the plurality of device antenna arrays comprises a plurality of circular antenna arrays; each circular antenna array comprises a first group of antenna arrays operating in the millimeter wave range and a second group of antenna arrays operating in the microwave range; in the microwave range, at least two antenna elements are symmetrically placed opposite each other on the circumference of the device; the plurality of device antenna arrays further includes filter elements and couplers including a media sensitive function.

A monitoring method is disclosed, generally comprising: operatively coupling a body area network to a plurality of device antenna arrays; the body area network comprises a plurality of sensors and the plurality of device antenna arrays comprises a plurality of circular antenna arrays; operating each circular antenna array with a first set of antenna arrays in the millimeter wave range and a second set of antenna arrays in the microwave range; and symmetrically placing at least two antenna elements opposite each other on the circumference of the device in the microwave range; comprising a filter element and a coupler comprising a function sensitive to a medium.

Portions of the methods, systems, and apparatuses are set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the methods, apparatuses, and systems. The advantages of the method, apparatus and system will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the methods, devices, and systems as claimed.

Drawings

In the drawings, like elements in several preferred embodiments of the present invention are designated by like reference numerals.

Fig. 1A is a body area network consisting of one, two or more sensors. The body area network will collect information from the different sensor locations that are best selected based on the patient specific vein detection. Data from different sensors will allow modeling of glucose monitoring while excluding errors due to misreading of one of the sensors, field failure or outliers of one of the sensors, thus preserving reliability of the design.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a component or system.

Fig. 2A is a perspective view of an antenna array having 4 elements in accordance with one embodiment; fig. 2B is a schematic diagram showing the angle θ of optimum beam steering and representing the distance h between the antenna and the skin; and FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of an array of antenna elements in a linear arrangement that results in a main beam whose direction is determined by (θ, φ).

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a millimeter wave antenna array arrangement according to one embodiment.

Fig. 4A is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of millimeter wave antenna arrays according to one embodiment, fig. 4B is a diagram showing beam steering capabilities capable of covering different points, fig. 4C is a schematic diagram of an antenna equipped with optical sensors to detect locations of dense capillary locations and depths, so this feedback can be used to detect the phase required for beam steering and determine the power levels required for different patient and device locations the vein detection sensor will be used for subcutaneous vein detection and can interpolate or estimate vein depth using prior knowledge of image sensing and patient physiology this attribute preserves the adaptability of the design beam steering can also be used to obtain different readings from the same antenna device, fig. 4D is a top view of a 30 × URA planar array with a rectangular grid as an array, fig. 4E is a diagram showing the directivity of a rectangular grid at 31.55dBi, fig. 4F is a diagram of wide-side steering for azimuthal cutting (0, phi 0), fig. 4G is a diagram showing the angle theta 60, phi 0, phi, fig. 4F is a two-dimensional diagram showing the steering for azimuthal cutting, fig. 4G is a diagram showing the orientation of a linear direction distribution of an array for elevation cutting, and a uniform orientation distribution of a triangular array, fig. 4G is a diagram showing a linear orientation distribution of a target orientation distribution of a triangular structure, and a diagram showing a given orientation of a triangular orientation diagram of a linear orientation diagram 4 x-directional orientation diagram, fig. 4H is a diagram showing a three-dimensional orientation diagram showing a linear orientation diagram showing a triangular orientation diagram, a directional orientation diagram showing.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a microwave antenna array according to an embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a microwave antenna array according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a detection directional coupler.

Fig. 8 is a top view of the band pass filter.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of RF signal generation to be fed to a device.

Detailed Description

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the inventions herein described. The terms proximal and distal are used herein to denote particular ends of the components of the apparatus described herein. Proximal refers to the end of the instrument that points outside the body when the instrument is in use. Distal end refers to the end of the component that is remote from the operator and in contact towards the monitored area of the patient's body.

The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having" and/or "having," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. When referring to numerical values, the word "about" should be interpreted to mean a maximum deviation of 10%, including 10%, from the stated numerical value. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language ("such as", "for example", or "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

References to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," "an example embodiment," "various embodiments," etc., may indicate that the embodiment of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an exemplary embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

As used herein, the term "method" refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known or developed by known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the chemical, pharmacological, biological, biochemical and medical arts.

The present invention measures biological and chemical molecules and markers, such as glucose concentration in blood, without any blood extraction. It is a non-invasive method of measuring glucose using radio frequency, antenna circuits and systems. The body area network may be composed of a plurality of detection devices. The detection apparatus may be a wearable device, such as a watch, bracelet, necklace, foot chain, sleeve, or other; the gadget will measure blood molecules/markers in a non-invasive manner. These devices are connected to a computing system that provides feedback based on other sensors to adjust the device measurements, collect more data, and then based on these measurements, the computing system reports the glucose levels in an instantaneous and continuous manner. Because of component redundancy and multi-channel readings, the computing system has the ability to detect anomalous channels and therefore can provide more reliable readings.

None of the existing solutions provide continuous Radio Frequency (RF) and antenna-based noninvasive glucose monitoring; multiple antenna array solutions improve accuracy; in a single device, multiple radiation frequencies, from Ultra High Frequency (UHF) to millimeter wave, can improve accuracy; the radio frequency and antenna design functions are powerful and sweat resistant; the wearable options are numerous; adaptive beam steering and adaptive power levels are based on patient-specific vein detection; adaptive beam steering, element redundancy, body area network based anomaly detection solutions, RF devices such as couplers, and filter banks with additional functionality that can be used for multiple reads from a single antenna group, can achieve more accurate functionality.

An apparatus for continuous measurement of biological, chemical markers and other tracers in the blood stream for physiological and pathophysiological screening in health and disease in a non-invasive manner. Biomarkers may include new/foreign/malignant or non-malignant cells or other newly developed molecules that may not be part of a typical component of a biological system. Markers can be tracked not only in blood, but also in the rest of the biological system (e.g., saliva, tissue, etc.).

As used herein, the marker is a broad term and should be given its ordinary and customary meaning by the person skilled in the art (and is not limited to a specific or customized meaning), and further indicates, but is not limited to, a substance, or a biological fluid that can be analyzed (e.g., blood, interstitial fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, lymph fluid, or urine), the marker is a marker for the production of a naturally occurring substance, an artificial substance, a metabolite, and/or a reaction product of a mitogen, sero-papaver-phospho-adeps-eophycin, a sero-phospho-adeps-eophycins (E, sero-phospho-adeps-sero-or-sero-as-for the test, or for the test, for the diagnosis of human adeps, or for the development of the human adeps, or for the development of the diseases, or for the human adeps, or for the development of the human adeps, or for example, or for the human adeps, or for the development of the human adeps, or for the development of the diseases, or for the human adeps, or for the development of the human adeps, or for the human adeps, or for example, or the human adeps, or adeps, the development of the human adeps, the human adeps, the human adeps, or, the human adeps, or, the human adeps, the human, or the human, the human adeps, the human adeps, the human adeps, the human adeps, the human.

Examples of pathophysiological changes that lead to disease include, but are not limited to, hyperglycemia/diabetes, cholexemia, cardiac markers, other biological changes that involve the measurement of variations in glucose levels, cholesterol levels, Pro-BNP (Pro-brain natriuretic) and troponin levels, and other molecular markers in living tissue. For example, in a diabetic patient, the prototype envisioned may help monitor the instantaneous glucose level to be used: determining changes in blood glucose and variations from normal; for autonomous interventions, such as the injection of insulin; and provide better self-restraint disease control for diabetic patients. Thus, together with an estimate of the total concentration, the device monitors the rate of change of the concentration to predict possible hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia as early as possible.

The apparatus or component will comprise a plurality of components arranged to establish body area network coverage. The network will associate different measurements from different locations of the body. Measurements are taken simultaneously from multiple locations on the body by multiple components at multiple frequencies and locations. All results will be transmitted to the wearable central unit, which will correlate the data together to arrive at an accurate estimate. The body may be a limb, a finger or an extremity of the body.

The different components of the body area network may include bracelets, necklaces, foot chains, rings, sleeves, belts, leg sleeves, mouthguards, neck sleeves, shoe covers, socks, undergarments, shirts, hats, watches, glasses, sticks or patch devices, or other forms of wearable devices, whether garment-based or medical devices. Redundancy and multiple components can improve accuracy and increase overall reliability of the system. These components will be able to take measurements of different depths. In one embodiment, the waistband is measured in alignment with the abdomen. The belt unit may be equipped with a multi-turn loop antenna to meet length requirements.

Each component of the device includes multiple antenna arrays, a single antenna element, a loop antenna, a filtering antenna, and microwave devices such as couplers and filters or antenna groups, filters, and other RF devices to capture the responses of different frequency bands. The device will also include filters and couplers whose function can operate in various frequency bands from Ultra High Frequency (UHF) to microwave, Ka-band and millimeter wave, which will operate independently, in conjunction, correspondingly or in response to marker measurements. To conserve power, certain components of the device or body area network may be in a dormant state and other components may be in an active state until an alarm, a sudden change in measurement is reported due to a large surge of body markers or due to a failure of one of the device components …, etc. A sufficient number of device components can be operated at any time to ensure accuracy and good correlation with invasive measurements. This may depend on the physiological condition of the patient. In one embodiment, a band-pass or band-stop filter is operatively coupled to the apparatus. In one embodiment, a narrowband hybrid coupler independent of the antenna band is employed. In one embodiment, some devices are hybrid structures that combine various microwave components together, such as a filtering antenna structure (filter-antenna module). In one embodiment, the constructed structure relates to an antenna array. The device consists of a plurality of circular, planar or linear antenna arrays. A plurality of antenna arrays are arranged on a circular platform to best fit the human body topology. Each array has at least two elements. The measurements of all devices will be independent of each other or combined into one integrated measurement. The collected data will be analyzed and correlated together in the central processing unit.

The RF device arrangement is applied to living tissue. The device will emit EM waves that can be reflected or transmitted by human tissue. The device will detect reflected and transmitted waves from any type of tissue, including but not limited to: dry skin, wet skin, muscle, blood, nerve tissue; nails, hair, adipose tissue, and the like. With other device arrangements, such as filters or filter banks, the signal will be affected by changes in the impedance of the body.

In one embodiment, a single antenna element is designed to be reconfigurable to change operating frequency, polarization, radiation pattern, or a combination thereof. Using electrical or digital switches such as pin diodes, radio frequency micro-electromechanical systems (RF MEMs), varactors or DTCs (digital tunable capacitors)), varying frequencies, polarizations, radiation patterns of operation can be achieved. In one embodiment, the spacers are physically, mechanically and/or electrically separated using, for example, active electronic components. The spacing varies between the antenna elements of the array to control the radiation pattern, which may be predetermined or tunable during operation or real time.

Radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RFMEMS) are microelectromechanical systems having electronic components including sub-millimeter sized components that provide movement of radio frequency functions. A variety of RF technologies may be used to implement the RF functionality. In addition to RF MEMS technology, RF designers can also use III-V compound semiconductors (GaAs, GaN, InP, InSb), ferrites, ferroelectrics, silicon-based semiconductors (RF CMOS, SiC and SiGe), and vacuum tube technology. Each RF technology provides different tradeoffs between cost, frequency, gain, large scale integration, lifetime, linearity, noise figure, packaging, power handling, power consumption, reliability, ruggedness, size, power supply voltage, switching time, and weight.

A "varactor" is a digital tuning capacitor, an IC variable capacitor based on multiple technologies such as MEMS, BST, and SOI/SOS devices, with a capacitance range, quality factor, and resolution that vary for different RF tuning applications. MEMS devices have the highest quality factor and have high linearity, and are therefore suitable for antenna aperture tuning, dynamic impedance matching, power amplifier load matching, and tunable filters. BST devices are based on barium strontium titanate and vary capacitance by applying high voltages to the device. The tuning accuracy is limited only by the accuracy of the D-a converter circuit generating the high voltage. The SOI/SOS tuning arrangement is constructed as solid-state FET switches based on an insulated CMOS wafer and uses MIM capacitors arranged with binary weighted values to achieve different capacitance values. SOI/SOS switches have high linearity and are well suited for low power applications where high voltages are not present. The capacitance values are designed for multiband antenna impedance matching operating over a wide frequency range.

The device comprises a signal generating circuit connected to the device components for generating a signal voltage. In addition, it includes a plurality of measurement circuits that will capture the reflection and transmission responses.

The array member has a beam steering function to scan an area of skin, underlying tissue and bodily fluids. The beam steering function may enable local spatial variation in the measurements, while the whole-body network may provide global spatial variation and allow different antenna elements to receive different components of the signal based on tuning. The beam steering range is also based on vein imaging to target dense areas.

Both the array antenna and the single antenna will operate at different input power levels over different operating frequency bands. The vein depth information is used to change the signal power level. This feature is controlled by the central unit.

An optical or infrared sensor for vein recognition capability would be added to the device. Any form of vein detection by image processing may be utilized without loss of generality. The terms "sensor" and "sensing mechanism" as used herein are broad terms and are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to those of ordinary skill in the art (and are not limited to a special or customized meaning), and include, but are not limited to, the area or mechanism of the monitoring device responsible for detecting a particular marker. The goal of the sensor is to determine the correct depth and position of the capillary network. The feedback is sent to a central processor which in turn uses algorithms to help derive the optimal beam steering pattern and power intensity level to best cover the critical sensitive locations. It is also aimed at determining the depth of the vein to determine the optimum power level range. The captured reflectance and transmittance responses will be correlated together to determine the concentration of a given molecule/marker (e.g., glucose) in the blood. In order to derive the blood disease level, such as a glucose level, from a combination of at least the first, second and third sets of electrical parameters, the control unit is constructed and adapted to determine the glucose level from all the following parameters (listed below).

In one embodiment, the optical sensor includes a vein tracking system including a NIR source operably coupled to a NIR sensitive camera operably connected to the processor. In one embodiment, the vein tracking system includes 880nm near infrared and CMOS sensors with maximum curvature point segmentation. In another embodiment, to improve accuracy, a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensor is used instead of a CMOS sensor. The CCD image is clearer and does not need image processing. The image will be processed and the antenna can be positioned to optimally target a single or multiple locations of closely spaced capillaries. Thus, as shown in fig. 2B, a predetermined range of the angle θ for optimum beam steering is determined. The predetermined range will take into account the margin of error in the distance estimates h and di, etc. In one embodiment, the distance di may be adjusted based on specific knowledge of the patient's anatomy. The antenna is placed at a distance h from the skin and then the pre-screened image will determine the best position of the antenna to target multiple veins/capillaries and determine the angular range of the swept beam to measure from multiple positions. This step needs to be recalibrated since the vein position may vary depending on certain diseases, seasons etc. Localization is important because veins are often difficult to detect in obese people and children.

The power level on the skin should comply with the SAR (specific absorption rate) requirements of table 1.

TABLE 1

The following are given: the Pin of the antenna has the following relationship:

pr (Pr is input power "Pin" when radiation power is assumed to be a perfect antenna)

P0＝Pr*e^{-α_air(||h/cosθ||)}(assuming the distance between the antenna and the skin and the beam angle θ when air separates the antenna from the skin).

P0< SAR (specific absorption rate).

Thresholds below SAR may be determined based on sensitivity analysis of the proposed design. If the strength of the transmit power changes, the power amplifier of the transmit RF chain must be reconfigurable and adjusted accordingly.

In one embodiment, the linear array is an array of antenna elements in a linear arrangement. As shown in FIG. 2C, a linear array may result in a main beam whose direction is determined by (θ, φ), and multiplied according to the pattern listed below, based on the excitation amplitude (a) of each element_i) And phase (knd)_xu_i)：

Array mode-element mode x array factor

Formula (1)

The terms "component" and "system" as used in this application are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer system configurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessors, consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

A computer typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, and removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by a computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

The software includes applications and algorithms. The software may be implemented on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer, in the cloud, wearable device, or other computing or processing device. Software may include logs, periodicals, tables, games, recordings, communications, SMS messages, websites, charts, interactive tools, social networks, VOIP (voice over internet protocol), email, and video.

In some embodiments, some or all of the functions or processes described herein and performed by a computer program are performed by a computer program formed from computer readable program code and embodied in a computer readable medium. The phrase "computer readable program code" includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, executable code, firmware, software, etc. The phrase "computer readable medium" includes any type of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disc (DVD), or any other type of memory.

In one embodiment, power tuning is performed synchronously with beam steering capability and array spacing based on the desired transmission location. Beam steering can scan variable depth and width spatial variations. Tuning the power may capture the appropriate depth of the target area response. Multiple power level readings can improve accuracy, adjust for the specific vein depth targeted according to patient requirements in the SAR, and help obtain more accurate readings according to local spatial variations, which will accomplish proper coverage of frequency for different depths, including blood and interstitial fluid regions. Thus, depth is targeted for patient-specific and multi-layer coverage. The entire body area network will measure over a large range of spatial variations.

The device components monitor changes in the dielectric properties of blood, body fluids or tissues and respond to changes in the dielectric constant by changing their radiation properties.

In addition, the device also transmits the results to a network-based electronic medical record registry and system that can be accessed by doctors and hospital care personnel. The device will transmit the results to an integrating/analyzing device, such as a mobile phone, telemedicine or home healthcare kit, where the information is recorded and analyzed.

The RF device arrangement is applied to living tissue. A signal generating circuit is connected to the device component for generating a signal voltage and a plurality of measuring circuits will capture the response of the tissue.

The signal and its response will operate at least at a first frequency to measure a first set of electrical parameters in the microwave frequency range. The signal and its response will also operate at a second frequency to measure a second set of electrical parameters in the millimeter wave frequency range. The signal and its response will operate at a third frequency to measure a third set of electrical parameters in the UHF frequency range. In one embodiment, the first frequency is between about 1GHz and about 8GHz, the millimeter wave frequency is between about 30GHz and about 300GHz, and the UHF frequency is between about 100MHz and about 1000 MHz. In alternative embodiments, additional components from the K-band and KA-band covering from about 18GHz to about 27GHz and from about 26.5GHz to about 40GHz may be added to the device.

In order to derive the blood disease level, such as a glucose level, from a combination of at least the first, second and third sets of electrical parameters, the control unit is constructed and adapted to determine the glucose level from all of the following parameters (listed in the following discussion).

The device will transmit the results to a personal mobile device, such as a telephone, where the information will be recorded and analyzed over a period of time to personally assess the status and condition of the patient. The phone or mobile device may be incorporated into an android/iOS application. The device and system will send a notification for an alarm condition.

In addition, the device communicates the results to a central network-based electronic medical record registry and system that can be accessed by doctors and hospital care personnel. The measurements are recorded directly in the patient's electronic medical record and are monitored and then recorded only by medical personnel.

The monitoring device 100 includes a body area network 110 operatively coupled to a plurality of device antenna arrays 150. Body area network 110 includes a plurality of sensors 112 as shown in fig. 1A. A plurality of device antenna arrays 150 are shown in fig. 1B, the plurality of device antenna arrays 150 including a plurality of circular antenna arrays 152. In one embodiment, the plurality of circular antenna arrays 152 are arranged in a circular manner. Each circular antenna array includes a first set of antenna arrays 154 operating in the millimeter wave range and a second set of antenna arrays 156 operating in the microwave range. A pair of antenna elements are symmetrically placed opposite each other on the circular circumference of the device in the microwave range. The plurality of device antenna arrays 150 further includes filter elements 160 and couplers 162 having a function of sensitivity to media. These devices will work independently or in combination. The plurality of device antenna arrays 150 further includes an array of loop antennas 164 in the UHF range, whether uniform or following an array distribution that includes a distribution parameter.

As shown in fig. 2, an embodiment of the multiple device antenna array 150 includes at least 4 circular antenna arrays 152 operating at about 60GHz and operably coupled to a waveguide-based feed network 170. Alternatively, the plurality of device antenna arrays 150 includes 4 or more circular antenna arrays 152 operating at about 60 GHz. Alternatively, the plurality of device antenna arrays 150 includes less than 4 circular antenna arrays 152 operating at about 60 GHz.

In one embodiment, the plurality of device antenna arrays 150 includes at least three elements, allowing at least 8 antenna arrays 152 to wrap around a limb or a person's hand in the arrangement shown in fig. 3. In other embodiments, less than 8 antenna arrays are wrapped around the limb or human hand, and in other embodiments, more than 8 antenna arrays are wrapped around the limb or human hand. In the same embodiment, the spacing 153 between the antenna array elements is about half a wavelength, so that good beam directivity is achieved, which also facilitates maximum transmission at diametrically opposed antenna arrays. In one embodiment, the beam directivity is at least about 31.55dBi, in other embodiments less than about 31.55dBi, and in other embodiments greater than about 31.55 dBi.

Directivity is a parameter of the antenna or optical system that can measure the degree of concentration of the emitted radiation in a single direction. It measures the power density radiated by the antenna in its strongest direction of emission, rather than the power density of an ideal isotropic radiator (emitting uniformly in all directions) radiating the same total power. The directivity of the antenna is a fraction of its gain; another factor is its (electrical) efficiency. Directivity is an important measure because many antennas and optical systems are designed to radiate electromagnetic waves in a single direction or at narrow angles. Directivity is also defined for antennas that receive electromagnetic waves, which is equal to the directivity when transmitting when receiving.

The antenna arrays 152 operate at millimeter-wave and each antenna array operates on a different channel within millimeter-wave. In one embodiment, the first antenna array operates at about 60GHz, the second antenna array operates at about 60.1GHz, the third antenna array operates at about 60.2GHz, the fourth antenna array operates at about 60.3GHz, the fifth antenna array operates at about 60.4GHz, the sixth antenna array operates at about 60.5GHz, the seventh antenna array operates at about 60.6GHz, and the eighth antenna array operates at about 60.7 GHz. In one embodiment, antenna array 152 operates on different channels spaced at least about 0.05GHz apart, or alternatively, antenna array 152 operates on different channels spaced at least about 0.10GHz apart. In another embodiment, diametrically opposed arrays transmit signals to each other and will operate on the same channel, resulting in 4 dedicated channels for the example described above. In a third embodiment, elements adjacent to the transmit/receive array will be able to capture the coupled electromagnetic field.

In one embodiment, a waveguide-based feed network is utilized, which can be uniformly fed and can follow a certain distribution. In one embodiment, the following parameters are utilized. P1-P8: representing the reflection coefficients Sii from the inputs of different antenna arrays on a particular array operating channel. P9-P16: transmission coefficients Sij, Sji are represented, which represent two for each pair of opposing antenna arrays, where the transmission coefficients are measured with respect to the opposing antenna array channels. And P17-P25 represent the received power of each antenna array, indirectly representing the gain.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, a plurality of device antenna arrays 150 includes a plurality of antenna arrays 152, the spacing 158 between array elements 152 is varied, the radiation pattern of the array elements is varied, and thus the sensitivity of the reflection and transmission parameters will cover alternate locations of the human body. In one embodiment, the first spacing 158a is about 3 mm. The array elements are equally spaced for the same array. In another embodiment, the intervals need not be equal.

In the same embodiment, the spacing 158 would be changed to be greater than or equal to the wavelength to create multiple grating lobes. In this case, the number of arrays 152 may be reduced to at least 4. In the same embodiment, the number of elements per array can also be increased to at least 6, which will improve gain. The spacing between antenna array elements may also follow a distribution such as a chebyshev distribution, binomial distribution, butterworth distribution, or other distribution.

In an alternative embodiment, a phased array would be used for beam steering to cover different locations of the body. The following parameters are defined as follows. P26-P29: representing the reflection coefficients Sii from the inputs of different antenna arrays on a particular array operating channel. P30-P42: the transmission coefficients Sij, Sji are represented, as shown in fig. 4A, two for each pair of opposing antenna arrays. 152a has b, c, d (6 parameters); 152b have c, d (4 parameters); 152c have d (2 parameters). P43-P47: the power received by each antenna array is represented, and the gain is indirectly represented.

Fig. 4B is a diagram showing beam steering capability capable of covering different points. Fig. 4C is a schematic diagram of an antenna equipped with optical sensors to detect dense capillary locations, so this feedback can be used to detect the phase required for beam steering.

In one embodiment, a diagram of an array for a rectangular array is shown in fig. 4D-4G, the array is a 30 × 30URA planar array with a rectangular grid as shown in fig. 4D, the aperture of the y-axis is about 2.248mm, the aperture of the Z-axis is about 2.248mm, the element spacing of ay is about 74.949mm, the element spacing of az is about 74.948mm as shown in fig. 4E, for a rectangular grid array, the directivity is about 31.55dbi an example of wide-side steering for azimuth cutting (0, 0) is shown in fig. 4F and an example of 60, 0 for elevation cutting is shown in fig. 4G.

In one embodiment for an optimal beam pattern, a triangular distribution 250 for minimum side lobes 252 is employed, as shown in fig. 4H. The 3D array directivity for uniform distribution is shown in fig. 4I, and the triangular distribution is shown in fig. 4J. The minimum side lobe levels are used for the triangular distribution 250.

An adaptive algorithm pseudo code is disclosed. First, given the position (x, y, z) of the target, (θ) is determined₀，φ₀). Then, an antenna a is found by means of a smart antenna adaptive beam steering algorithm_iAnd (knd)_xu_i) FIG. 4K shows an example of an adaptive uniform linear array structure [ see: Wang, L ei. array signal processing for beamforming and direction defining. Dis. university of York,2009]。

Optimal beamforming and steering algorithms are disclosed that use new signal processing algorithms, commonly referred to as direction of arrival (DOA) algorithms, Muhamed, rias.direction of arrival using anti-noise algorithms, virginia biotechnical Institute and State University, 1996.

In another embodiment, the microwave antenna array operates at about 6GHz and has two elements so that the two antenna arrays 152 can wrap around a human hand in the arrangement shown in fig. 5. In the same embodiment, the spacing between antenna array elements is half a wavelength, thereby enabling maximum transmission at diametrically opposed antenna arrays.

Antenna arrays 152a and 152b operate in the microwave range. Each antenna array operates on a different channel within the microwave. In one embodiment, the first antenna array 152 operates on one channel in the microwave range, e.g., 6GHz, and the second antenna array 152b operates on the same channel for transmit/reflect parameters. In an alternative embodiment, each element will receive a scan reflecting the frequency of the alternative channel, for example in steps of 0.05 GHz. The antennas may be designed to operate on similar or different channels. In the latter, the reflection coefficient may be acquired based on only the bandwidth.

Microstrip feed may be used, or coaxial feed may be used. The feeding may be uniform or follow a certain distribution. In microstrip feed, the conductive strip is connected to the patch and can therefore be considered as an extension of the patch. In a coaxial feed, the outer conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to the ground plane and the center conductor extends to the patch antenna.

In one embodiment, the microwave antenna array operates at about 2.4GHz and has one element to allow 2 antenna elements 152a and 152b to wrap around a person's hand in the arrangement shown in fig. 6. In the same embodiment, the spacing between the elements is half a wavelength, with maximum transmission at diametrically opposite elements.

Antenna elements 152a and 152b operate in the microwave and each element operates on a different channel within the microwave. In one embodiment, the two antenna elements 152a, 152b operate at approximately 2.4 GHz.

In one embodiment, microstrip feed may be used, or coaxial or probe feed may be used. The feeding may be uniform or the feeding may follow a certain distribution.

In one embodiment, the following parameters are defined: P48-P49: representing the reflection coefficients Sii from the inputs of different antenna arrays on a particular array operating channel. P50-P51: transmission coefficients Sij, Sji are represented, which represent two for each pair of opposing antenna arrays, where the transmission coefficients are measured with respect to the opposing antenna array channels. P52-P53: the power received by each antenna array is represented, and the gain is indirectly represented.

As shown in fig. 7, the coupler 162 includes a first port 163a, a second port 163b, a third port 163c, and a fourth port 163 d. The coupler 162 causes a phase shift and power division between the second port 163b and the third port 163 c. The amount of measurement in terms of phase shift and power allocation is a function of the coupling medium.

Based on size as a function of wavelength, the reference phase shift can be varied and multiple structures can be used to extract the average sensitivity. The coupler is implemented at both microwave and millimeter wave frequencies. The following parameters are defined for the couplers (P60-P63; P64-P65). The phase and power allocation information is derived from each of the following measurements: the first port 163a and the third port 163c are for coupling (S13); the third port 163c and the fourth port 163d are for directivity (S34); the first port 163a and the fourth port 163d are for isolation (S14); and the first port 163a and the second port 163b are used for insertion loss (S12).

In one embodiment, a comparison between the transmit power at the second port 163b and the coupled power at the third port 163c is obtained in terms of phase and amplitude.

An array of loop antennas 154 is used to capture the response in the UHF domain. The array of loop antennas 154 includes a distribution that is uniform or follows a particular distribution (yagi uda) and operates at UHF between about 100MHz to about 1000 MHz. The array of loop antennas 154 includes about 2-4 elements. And the following parameters were measured: p66 represents the reflection coefficient of the entire array.

As shown in FIG. 8, the band pass filter 160 is used to indicate changes in the glucose concentration in the blood stream by changes in the operating frequency. Filter 160 may be reconfigurable or tunable, which would enable sensing of glucose changes over frequency band changes. The filter comprises an architecture such as a cascaded reconfigurable filter. The filter includes an embodiment for feeding that will be used to achieve a particular placement and adaptation to the form of the person (e.g., arm, etc.). In alternative embodiments, the filters may be a band-stop, a cascade of band-stop and band-pass, or a bank of such filters.

The resonators can also be used in the same way as filters, whether separate components or integrated within the filter structure.

The filter measures the following parameters: P67-P68: filter reflection coefficients for both ports. P69-P70: transmission coefficients of the filters of both ports.

In one embodiment, the frequency dependent signal is applied to filter 160. Based on the medium, the filter will pass frequency components related to the effective medium characteristics, for example given by equation (2):

wherein a is_iIndicating an increased amplitude where glucose @ w1 would perceive a higher power than @ w 2.

The sensed power level will be indicative of the operating frequency and hence the glucose level.

In fig. 9, an RF signal generation 200 to be fed to a device is shown, signal 210 is coupled to VCO 212, then passed through low pass filter 214, then L NA 216, then passed through second low pass filter 218, second low pass filter 218 is amplified by power amplifier 220, and passed through band pass filter 222, then sent to antenna 224.