Chalcogenide Glass Optical Medium for Noninvasive Biological Component Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing noninvasive biological component measurement systems, such as those using zinc sulfide (ZnS) optical media, face challenges in accurately measuring biological components due to rapid heat diffusion, which results in a smaller change in refractive index and reduced measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The use of an optical medium formed from chalcogenide glass or materials with thermal conductivity of less than or equal to 15.0 W/(m·K), allowing for a larger change in refractive index gradient and improved accuracy in measuring biological components by controlling heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If zinc sulfide (ZnS) optical medium is used, then the optical medium can effectively transmit excitation light and probe light, but the high thermal conductivity causes rapid heat diffusion which reduces measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the optical medium by selecting materials with different thermal properties. Specifically, it uses optical media made from materials like sapphire, silicon oxide, or silicon nitride that have lower thermal conductivity than zinc sulfide, thereby reducing heat diffusion while maintaining optical transmission capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategies by using optical media composed of specific ceramic materials or glasses that combine appropriate thermal conductivity with optical transparency. These materials are selected to optimize the balance between heat retention and light transmission for the measurement system
2Measurement precision
If excitation light is emitted toward the sample, then biological component absorption heat is generated, but rapid heat transfer to the optical medium reduces the refractive index change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the thermal parameters of the optical medium by selecting materials with lower thermal conductivity. This creates a more favorable temperature distribution within the optical medium, allowing the absorption heat to generate a sufficient refractive index change gradient that can be detected by the probe light
Solution Approach 2:
The optical medium acts as an intermediary between the sample and the probe light. By selecting materials with appropriate thermal properties, the optical medium mediates the heat transfer process to maintain a detectable refractive index gradient while still allowing effective light transmission
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 measurement of biological components by enhancing the refractive index change in the optical medium, thereby improving the precision of the measurement process.
Implementation Method 1
The infrared light source emits infrared light. The infrared light travels through the optical medium to illuminate the biological sample. The infrared light is absorbed by the biological sample to cause the biological sample to generate heat.
Implementation Method 2
The absorption heat of the biological sample transfers to the optical medium to change a refractive index of the optical medium.
Implementation Method 3
The probe light is totally internally reflected at an interface between the optical medium and the biological sample to outgo from the optical medium.
Implementation Method 4
The change in refractive index of the optical medium affects total internal reflection of the probe light at the interface between the optical medium and the biological sample to change a traveling direction of the probe light that outgoes from the optical medium.
Data Source
AI summary
A biological component measurement apparatus includes an optical medium, an excitation light source, a probe light source, and a light position detector. The optical medium includes a sample placement surface. The excitation light source emits excitation light toward a sample placed on the sample placement surface. The probe light source emits probe light that travels through the optical medium. The light position detector detects the position of the probe light outgoing from the optical medium. The optical medium is formed from chalcogenide glass.