Noninvasive in vivo glucose detection in human finger interstitial fluid using wavelength-modulated differential photothermal radiometry

Abstract

We present a noninvasive and noncontacting biosensor using Wavelength Modulated Differential Photothermal Radiometry (WM-DPTR) to monitor blood glucose concentration (BGC) through interstitial fluid (ISF) probing in human middle fingers. WM-DPTR works in the interference-free mid-infrared range with differential wavelengths at the peak and baseline of the fundamental glucose molecule absorption band, giving rise to high glucose sensitivity and specificity. In vivo WM-DPTR measurements and simultaneous finger pricking BGC reference measurements were performed on diabetic and nondiabetic volunteers during oral glucose tolerance testing. The measurement results demonstrated high resolution and large dynamic range (~80 deg) change in phase signal in the normal-to-hyperglycemia BGC range (5 mmol/L to higher than 33.2 mmol/L), which were supported by negative control measurements. The immunity to temperature variation of WM-DPTR yields precise and accurate noninvasive glucose measurements in the ISF.

Keywords: biosensor; diabetes management; noninvasive glucose detection; photothermal effect; quantum cascade lasers.