Coaxial Movable Light Guide Module for Biomedical Optical Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for measuring optical properties of biological media, such as changes in chromophore concentration, are bulky, uncomfortable, and suffer from low signal-to-noise ratios due to high noise levels and low signal strength.
Innovation Solution
A light guide module comprising a support member with a fixed and a movable light guide, where the movable light guide is coaxial with the fixed light guide and has a reflective interior, allowing for efficient light transfer and accommodation of movement while maintaining good contact with the subject's body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If light guides are made movable to accommodate body shape, then comfort and usability are improved, but light transfer efficiency deteriorates due to movement-induced losses
Solution Approach 1:
The movable light guide is nested within the hollow tube light guide, allowing the movable light guide to slide back and forth within the hollow tube while maintaining coaxial alignment. This nesting structure enables movement accommodation while preserving light transfer efficiency through the reflective interior of the hollow tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide system incorporates a movable light guide that can dynamically adjust its position to accommodate the subject's body shape. The movable light guide slides within the hollow tube light guide, maintaining optimal contact with the body while preserving light transfer efficiency through the reflective interior.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light guides are used to improve measurement resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed light guide and movable light guide are merged into a single integrated module with a shared hollow tube structure. This combining approach allows multiple light guides to function together for improved measurement resolution while reducing overall device complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple light guides are nested within the same hollow tube structure, with the movable light guide nested within the fixed light guide's hollow tube. This nesting arrangement enables multiple light guides to occupy minimal space, improving measurement resolution without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Loss of energy
If telescopic light guide arrangement is used to accommodate movement, then light transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic arrangement is achieved through nesting the movable light guide within the hollow tube light guide. This nesting structure provides the telescopic function needed for efficient light transfer while using simple, manufacturable components that slide within each other rather than requiring complex mechanical assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow tube light guide serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates the telescopic movement between the fixed and movable light guides. This intermediary hollow tube with reflective interior simplifies the manufacturing process compared to direct coupling mechanisms, as it provides a simple sliding interface with inherent light management capabilities.
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 solution enhances the signal-to-noise ratio by minimizing light losses and ambient light interference, allowing for higher density and resolution in optical measurements, and improves the comfort and usability of the apparatus by accommodating the shape of the subject's body.
Implementation Method 1
the interior of said hollow tube light guide being reflective such that when the movable light guide is in the extended position, at least one of: (i) light entering an end of said hollow tube light guide can be internally reflected by the interior of said hollow tube light guide into an end of the other light guide that is facing said end of said hollow tube light guide, and (ii) light exiting said end of the other light guide can be internally reflected by the interior of said hollow tube light guide towards said end of said hollow tube light guide
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide module (140) for use with apparatus for measuring an optical property of a medium in an animal body has a support member (140, 180), a first light guide (142) supported in the support member (140, 180); and a second light guide (150) supported in the support member (140, 180). One of the first light guide (142) and the second light guide (150) is a fixed light guide and the other of the first light guide (142) and the second light guide (150) is a movable light guide. The second light guide (150) is arranged coaxially with the first light guide (142) so that light can pass between the first light guide (142) and the second light guide (150). At least one of the fixed light guide and the movable light guide is a hollow tube light guide having a hollow interior which receives the other light guide. The interior of the hollow tube light guide is reflective.