Diffuse Optical Imaging System for Turbid Media Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the optical properties of turbid compositions, such as milk and biological tissues, are inefficient and require complex hardware, limiting their scalability and portability for applications like process control and medical diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
Diffuse Optical Imaging techniques using spatially broadband projections, specifically speckle patterns generated by coherent light sources and diffusive reflective surfaces, to measure bulk optical properties by analyzing the spatial frequency response of the medium, allowing for faster, more reliable, and cost-effective measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional Diffuse Optical Imaging techniques are used to measure optical properties of turbid media, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial frequency parameters of the illumination pattern from narrowband to broadband, allowing a single projection to contain multiple spatial frequencies. This enables measurement of multiple optical properties simultaneously without requiring multiple discrete frequency projections, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The broadband spatial projection pattern serves multiple functions: it provides illumination at multiple spatial frequencies simultaneously, enables measurement of multiple bulk optical properties in a single measurement, and eliminates the need for complex hardware that would be required to generate and switch between multiple discrete frequency patterns
2Measurement precision
If multiple discrete spatial frequencies are projected to measure bulk optical properties, then comprehensive optical property estimation is achieved, but measurement time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete spatial frequency projections into a single broadband spatial projection pattern. This consolidation allows all necessary spatial frequency information to be captured in one measurement, eliminating the sequential measurement process and significantly improving measurement speed while maintaining comprehensive optical property estimation
Solution Approach 2:
The broadband spatial projection pattern is pre-designed to contain a wide range of spatial frequencies simultaneously. This preliminary preparation of the illumination pattern ensures that all necessary frequency components are present from the start, eliminating the need for sequential projections and enabling rapid single-shot measurement
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
Enables rapid and accurate estimation of bulk optical properties in turbid media, including milk and biological tissues, with scalable and portable devices, improving measurement fidelity and reducing hardware complexity.
Implementation Method 1
speckle patterns are generated using a coherent light source and a diffusive reflective surface
Implementation Method 2
the diffuse backscattered pattern is imaged
Implementation Method 3
The original projected pattern is observed as blurred due to diffusion inside the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A method for measuring one or more quantities characterizing a composition of a medium includes causing a first non-uniform spatially varying optical signal to impinge on a portion of the medium, processing a second optical signal emitted from the medium in response to the first optical signal including determining characteristics of a spatial variation of the second optical signal, and determining the one or more quantities characterizing the composition of the medium based on the characteristics of the spatial variation of the second optical signal.