Glucose-dependent dielectric properties of blood plasma

In this study, we show a correlation between electrical properties (relative permittivity-ε
_r
and conductivity-σ) of blood plasma and plasma glucose concentration. In order to formulate that correlation, we performed electrical property measurements on blood samples collected from 10 adults between the ages of 18 and 40 at University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Children's hospital. The measurements are conducted between 500 MHz and 20 GHz band. Using the data obtained from measurements, we developed a single-pole Cole-Cole model for ε
_r
and σ as a function of plasma blood glucose concentration. To provide an application, we designed a microstrip patch antenna that can be used to predict the glucose concentration within a given plasma sample. Simulation results regarding antenna design and its performance are also presented.