Calibration Member for Optical Measurement Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical measurement devices, such as time domain-based NIRS devices, require frequent recalibration due to changes in environmental conditions and device components, which affects the accuracy of tissue optical property measurements.

Innovation Solution

A manufactured calibration member made from a light-scattering material is used to support the optical measurement device, allowing for efficient and consistent calibration by emitting light and detecting photon arrival times, thereby determining instrument response functions and other calibration parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the optical measurement device is used in varying environmental conditions, then the device can operate in diverse settings, but the baseline shape changes requiring frequent recalibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational environment flexibilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calibration by determining the instrument response function using a calibration phantom with known optical properties before actual measurements. This preliminary action establishes baseline parameters that account for environmental conditions, allowing the device to operate reliably in diverse settings without frequent recalibration during actual use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a calibration phantom as an intermediary object with known optical properties. This phantom serves as a mediator between the varying environmental conditions and the measurement system, providing a stable reference that enables consistent calibration across different operational environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If frequent recalibration is performed to maintain measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but time loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue optical property measurement accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs comprehensive calibration determination of the instrument response function in advance using a calibration phantom. This preliminary calibration establishes baseline parameters that remain valid across multiple measurement sessions, reducing the need for frequent time-consuming recalibration while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a calibration phantom that replicates the optical properties of actual tissue in a controlled manner. This copy of tissue optical properties provides a stable, reproducible reference that enables efficient calibration without requiring repeated measurements of actual biological samples, saving time while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If manual calibration procedures are used to determine baseline shape, then calibration can be performed, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the instrument response function by processing photons detected from the calibration phantom through a processor. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual baseline shape determination, reducing operational complexity while maintaining calibration accuracy through automated computational methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration procedures with an automated optical and computational system. The processor automatically analyzes photon arrival times and determines the instrument response function, substituting complex manual operations with automated electronic processing that reduces operational difficulty while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables more accurate and efficient calibration of optical measurement devices, improving the determination of tissue properties like blood oxygenation levels and neural activities by accounting for environmental changes and device variations.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS12078531B2Devices, systems, and methods for calibrating an optical measurement device

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 HI LLC

AI summary

An illustrative calibration member made from a material that scatters light may be used to perform a calibration operation with respect to an optical measurement device having a plurality of light sources and a plurality of detectors distributed among a plurality of modules. The calibration member may form an exterior surface configured to support the optical measurement device and scatter photons of light emitted by the optical measurement device. The calibration operation may be performed based on arrival times of the scattered photons detected by the optical measurement device.