Feasibility Study on Microwave Glucose Level Monitoring

Author

Ricardo Cepeda, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

12-1-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

Electrical Engineering

First Advisor

Yong Zhou

Second Advisor

Heinrich Foltz

Third Advisor

Nantakan Wongkasem

Abstract

Diabetes management heavily relies on regular blood glucose monitoring, which traditionally involves invasive techniques. In recent years, significant research has been directed towards developing non-invasive glucose monitoring methods, particularly using electromagnetic waves. This study explores the feasibility of detecting blood glucose levels non-invasively by measuring the resonant frequency shifts of an antenna, influenced by the dielectric properties of blood. Microwave measurement techniques have garnered attention due to their ability to safely penetrate human tissue and detect biochemical markers like glucose. While previous studies have established a link between glucose concentration and dielectric properties, many techniques suffer from poor sensitivity or struggle with the complexity of biological tissues. This research aims to address the limitations of previous non-invasive glucose monitoring methods by exploring the feasibility of a system that leverages a custom-designed antenna and an arm phantom model. The custom antenna is designed to detect variations in blood glucose levels by measuring shifts in resonant frequency, while the arm phantom model simulates the dielectric properties of human tissue, enabling a realistic assessment of the system’s ability to accurately detect glucose level changes in a non-invasive manner.

Comments

Copyright 2024 Ricardo Cepeda.

Recommended Citation

Cepeda, Ricardo, "Feasibility Study on Microwave Glucose Level Monitoring" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 1642.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1642