Non-invasive blood glucose detection with transmission line-based sensors and signal processing

Diabetes Mellitus, popularly known as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic health problem that occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin produced. Diabetes is a rapidly increasing global health problem and is an important public health problem that can lead to serious complications. High blood glucose levels can cause damage to organs and tissues, leading to serious health problems such as heart disease, kidney failure, eye problems and nerve damage. Therefore, diabetes, as a metabolic disease, not only causes serious health problems but also creates a great economic burden. Increasing awareness in the society, developing healthy lifestyle habits and expanding early diagnosis opportunities are of vital importance in reducing the effects of diabetes. Blood glucose levels of individuals with diabetes are usually measured by taking a fingertip blood sample, but this method has some difficulties. To overcome these challenges, glucose measurement techniques are being developed, especially by using innovative approaches such as microwave technology. In this thesis, microwave sensors that can be reconfigured with electromagnetic properties were designed and glucose measurements were performed on blood samples taken from subjects with these sensors. In addition, the complex dielectric parameters of different blood samples were characterised between 1GHz and 20GHz frequency band. In the measurements made with the new sensors designed with the data obtained, frequency shifts were observed over the blood and phantoms dripped into the sensor. The results of this thesis can be considered as an important step in the development of non-invasive measurement techniques in the fight against diabetes. Innovative approaches such as microwave technology have the potential to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients and may make daily glucose measurements more comfortable. Furthermore, the dissemination of such technologies may contribute to preventing diabetes-related complications and improving overall public health.