Sensitivity-Enhanced Fluidic Glucose Sensor Based on a Microwave Resonator Coupled With an Interferometric System for...

Area of Science:

• Microwave Engineering
• Biomedical Sensing
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Accurate glucose monitoring is crucial for diabetes management.
• Existing glucose sensors face challenges with sensitivity, especially for noninvasive methods.
• Microwave sensing offers a potential avenue for label-free glucose detection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a novel microwave fluidic glucose sensor with enhanced sensitivity.
• To investigate the integration of a complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) with an interferometric system for improved glucose detection.
• To demonstrate the sensor's applicability for noninvasive and continuous glucose monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Design of a microwave sensor incorporating a rectangular CSRR as the sensing element.
• Integration of a sensitivity enhancement part, including a variable attenuator, phase shifter, hybrid couplers, and RF power detector.
• Mathematical analysis to derive conditions for effective sensitivity enhancement based on electric field distribution and interferometric system parameters.
• Experimental validation of glucose detection across a concentration range of 0-400 mg/dL.

Main Results:

• The proposed microwave fluidic glucose sensor achieved a significant sensitivity improvement of 48 times.
• The sensor demonstrated accurate glucose concentration measurements, verified by the Clarke error grid.
• The effective sensing area of the CSRR was optimized by considering electric field distribution.

Conclusions:

• The developed microwave fluidic glucose sensor effectively enhances sensitivity for improved glucose detection.
• The sensor shows high accuracy and is suitable for noninvasive and continuous glucose monitoring in real-world scenarios.
• This technology holds promise for advancing diabetes management through improved sensing capabilities.