Patent ID: 10835126

Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to real-time in vivo spectrophotometric analysis of skin tissue. In some implementations, the spectrophotometry is implemented using a wireless microchip with at least one sensor implanted beneath the skin of an individual. The absorption of light at different wavelengths by the skin tissue is correlated to various skin states, revealing transient conditions or pathologies in real time. An external interrogation device is positioned on or adjacent to the surface of the skin and includes one or more energy sources for emitting light of different wavelengths. The external device may provide signals for wirelessly powering the implanted microchip, as well as have communication capabilities for receiving wireless transmissions from the implanted microchip. The sensors on the implantable microchip can be used to measure light intensity attenuated by the skin tissue between the light sources and the sensors. Each skin state has unique absorption characteristics at different frequencies, and property changes of the skin tissue (between the external light sources and the implantable microchip) affect power/intensity of light received by the light sensors at different frequencies.