Dual-Constituent Concentration Module Stray Light Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for simultaneously measuring the concentrations of two constituents in fluid, such as urea-like solutes and albumin in spent dialysate, suffer from inaccuracies due to stray light and diffused reflection from the light source, limiting the precision of concentration monitoring in dialysis treatments.
Innovation Solution
A concentration measuring module with a housing, a light source, and first and second light receiving units, where the light source and first light receiving unit are positioned to minimize stray light, and the second light receiving unit is sensitive to longer wavelengths, allowing for the simultaneous measurement of two constituents based on absorption and fluorescence signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light source is used to measure concentrations of two constituents in spent dialysate, then concentration measurement capability is provided, but stray light from diffused reflection reduces measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension solution by positioning the second light receiving unit at a specific angle (90 degrees or orthogonal) relative to the light source and first light receiving unit. This dimensional arrangement allows the second detector to capture fluorescence emission while minimizing reception of stray reflected light from the light source, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving concentration measurement capability and eliminating stray light interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the fluorescence emission from the second constituent as an intermediary signal that can be detected at a different wavelength and spatial direction. By detecting fluorescence rather than directly measuring absorption at the same wavelength, the system can distinguish between the target analyte signal and stray light interference, improving measurement accuracy.
2Productivity
If simultaneous measurement of two constituents is performed using multiple light receiving units, then concentration monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single light source serve multiple functions by using it for both absorption measurement (first constituent) and fluorescence excitation (second constituent). The first light receiving unit detects transmitted light for absorption-based concentration measurement, while the second light receiving unit detects fluorescence emission for the other constituent, allowing simultaneous dual-constituent monitoring with a unified optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits parameter changes in the optical domain by measuring two different physical phenomena (absorption and fluorescence) that occur at different wavelengths. The first light receiving unit measures at the absorption wavelength, while the second light receiving unit measures at the longer fluorescence emission wavelength, enabling simultaneous measurement without requiring identical detection parameters.
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 configuration enables more accurate and precise simultaneous measurement of concentrations, reducing the impact of stray light and improving the accuracy of monitoring two constituents in fluid, particularly in dialysis applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first light receiving unit configured to have sensitivity to a wavelength of output light of the light source and receive light radiated from inside the housing
Implementation Method 2
a second light receiving unit configured to have sensitivity to a longer wavelength than the first light receiving unit and receive light radiated from inside the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a concentration calculating module configured to measure the concentrations of two constituents simultaneously with higher accuracy. The concentration measuring module includes a light source configured to emit light into a housing; a first light receiving unit configured to have sensitivity to a wavelength of output light of the light source and receive light radiated from inside the housing; and a second light receiving unit configured to have sensitivity to a longer wavelength than the first light receiving unit and receive light radiated from inside the housing. The light source, the first light receiving unit, and the second light receiving unit are arranged to have a positional relationship in which a light emitting surface of the light source faces a light receiving surface of the first light receiving unit, and a normal to a light receiving surface of the second light receiving unit is orthogonal to, of a line through the light source and the first light receiving unit, a line segment corresponding to the inside of the housing, and a length X of, of the line through the light source and the first light receiving unit, the line segment corresponding to the inside of the housing and then a length Y of, of a line including the normal to the light receiving surface of the second light receiving unit, a line segment corresponding to the inside of the housing satisfy Y/X > 1. The concentration measuring module calculates the concentrations of two constituents simultaneously on the basis of first and second signals output from the first and second light receiving units.