Detecting Unique Analyte-Specific Radio Frequency Spectral Responses in Liquid Solutions—Implications for Non-Invasive Physiologic Monitoring

Abstract

With rising healthcare costs and the rapid increase in remote physiologic monitoring and care delivery, there is an increasing need for economical, accurate, and non-invasive continuous measures of blood analytes. Based on radio frequency identification (RFID), a novel electromagnetic technology (the Bio-RFID sensor) was developed to non-invasively penetrate inanimate surfaces, capture data from individual radio frequencies, and convert those data into physiologically meaningful information and insights. Here, we describe groundbreaking proof-of-principle studies using Bio-RFID to accurately measure various concentrations of analytes in deionized water. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that the Bio-RFID sensor is able to precisely and non-invasively measure and identify a variety of analytes in vitro. For this assessment, varying solutions of (1) water in isopropyl alcohol; (2) salt in water, and (3) commercial bleach in water were tested, using a randomized double-blind trial design, as proxies for biochemical solutions in general. The Bio-RFID technology was able to detect concentrations of 2000 parts per million (ppm), with evidence suggesting the ability to detect considerably smaller concentration differences.

Keywords

• biosensors
• clinical applications
• point-of-care
• radio frequency sensors
• non-invasive blood glucose monitoring
• microwave sensors