Body Fluid Analysis Device with Optical Stray Light Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for analyzing body fluids, such as urine, in medical settings are inaccurate and burdensome, particularly for determining the degree of occult blood, relying on visual inspection which can lead to misclassification and inefficient use of medical resources.

Innovation Solution

A body fluid analysis device that irradiates the fluid in a translucent tube with light and uses a light emitting element and a light receiving element positioned optimally to analyze the fluid, reducing stray light effects and allowing for accurate, automated determination of conditions like occult blood, even by non-experts, and can be retrofitted to existing medical equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If visual inspection by nurse is used to determine occult blood, then medical resources are conserved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccult blood detection accuracyVSAvoidanalysis system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection system with an optical analysis system. A light emitting element irradiates the body fluid in the tube, and a light receiving element detects the transmitted light. The analysis unit processes the detection results to determine occult blood automatically, substituting human visual inspection with optical physics-based measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic self-diagnosis of body fluid conditions. The analysis unit automatically processes the light detection data and determines whether occult blood is present without requiring human intervention or expertise, making the system self-sufficient in performing the diagnostic function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If doctor is called for all obscure cases, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedical resource efficiencyVSAvoidoccult blood detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-diagnosis of body fluid conditions. The analysis unit automatically processes the light detection data and determines whether occult blood is present without requiring human intervention or expertise, making the system self-sufficient in performing the diagnostic function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection system with an optical analysis system. A light emitting element irradiates the body fluid in the tube, and a light receiving element detects the transmitted light. The analysis unit processes the detection results to determine occult blood automatically, substituting human visual inspection with optical physics-based measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If light emitting element and light receiving element are positioned close to tube, then measurement precision improves, but stray light interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight detection accuracyVSAvoidstray light effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component between the light emitting element and the tube, and between the light receiving element and the tube. The light guide conducts light from the emitting element through the tube to the receiving element, enabling precise measurement while maintaining distance that reduces stray light interference. The light guide acts as a controlled optical pathway that filters out unwanted stray light.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The device enables precise and automated analysis of body fluids, reducing the burden on medical professionals and ensuring accurate classification of conditions like occult blood, thereby optimizing resource management and patient care.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating a body fluid in a tube having translucency with light and analyzing the body fluid on a basis of light having passed through the body fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission and absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3712598B1Body fluid analysis device

Publication Date: 2023.08.09 GENIAL LIGHT

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AI summary

A body fluid analysis device 100 that irradiates a body fluid in a tube T1 having translucency with light and analyzes the body fluid on the basis of light having passed through the tube T1 is adapted to include: a base 1; an attachment 2 that is attached to the base 1 so that the tube T1 is pinched in its radial direction between the attachment 2 and the base 1; a light emitting element L that is provided to the base 1 or the attachment 2; and a light receiving element D that is provided to the base 1 or the attachment 2, in which in a state where the attachment 2 is attached to the base 1, between the base 1 and the attachment 2, the light emitting element L and the light receiving element D are arranged so as to pinch the tube T1 in the radial direction, or both of the light emitting element L and the light receiving element D are arranged in the base 1 or the attachment 2.