ATR Prism Contamination Detection for Reliable Biological Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring biological information using an attenuated total reflection (ATR) prism face challenges in maintaining accuracy when the same prism is repeatedly used, due to contamination from residues, leading to unreliable measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method that automatically determines the need for cleaning the ATR prism and the object being measured by analyzing absorbance at specific wavenumbers, using a system with a multi-wavelength light source, photodetector, and information processing apparatus to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the same ATR prism is repeatedly used for measurement, then measurement efficiency is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to contamination from residues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring a background spectrum before the actual measurement and using it to correct the measurement spectrum. This preliminary background acquisition removes contamination effects from residues on the ATR prism surface, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while allowing repeated use of the same prism for efficient measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by comparing the measurement spectrum with the background spectrum and using the difference to correct the biological information measurement. The system continuously monitors and adjusts for contamination effects through spectral comparison, maintaining accuracy across repeated measurements without requiring frequent manual cleaning
2Measurement precision
If manual cleaning of the ATR prism is performed frequently, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operation complexity and time loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cleaning operation with an optical correction method. Instead of physically cleaning the ATR prism surface, the system uses spectral subtraction to remove contamination effects mathematically, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy without the complexity and time loss of manual cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a background spectrum as an intermediary to mediate between the contaminated prism surface and the measurement. This background spectrum captures the contamination state and serves as a reference for correction, eliminating the need for direct mechanical intervention while maintaining measurement accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves the reliability and accuracy of biological information measurement by ensuring the ATR prism and object are clean before data acquisition, reducing contamination effects and maintaining measurement consistency.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element with a totally reflecting surface, which is to be brought into contact with an object to be observed
Implementation Method 2
acquiring an absorbance at the totally reflecting surface
Implementation Method 3
monitoring with near-infrared spectroscopy, mid-infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy
Data Source
AI summary
A biological information measuring technique with improved reliability is proposed. A method of measuring biological information using an optical element with a totally reflecting surface, which is to be brought into contact with an object to be observed, is provided. The method includes, after the optical element has been in contact with the object to be observed, acquiring an absorbance at the totally reflecting surface in a state where the optical element is not in contact with the object to be observed, and determining by an information processing apparatus whether the object to be observed needs to be cleaned, based on the absorbance.