Diffuse Reflector Catheter for Oxygen Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices, such as catheters, face challenges in accurately monitoring oxygenation parameters of fluids, particularly in urine, due to variations in light alignment and ambient light interference, which can lead to inaccurate kidney function monitoring and delayed detection of acute kidney injury.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a diffuse reflector and fluorescent material within the catheter lumen to diffuse excitation light and fluoresced light, reducing noise from ambient light and alignment variations, and using an integrating sphere to further stabilize light distribution, allowing for precise measurement of oxygen levels in urine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fluorescent material is used to detect oxygenation parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but the system becomes sensitive to ambient light interference and alignment variations
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuse reflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the excitation light source and the fluorescent material, and between the fluorescent material and the detector. This reflector mediates the light paths by diffusing both excitation and emitted fluorescent light, thereby reducing sensitivity to alignment variations and ambient light interference while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ambient light interference into a beneficial measurement approach by using the diffuse reflector to create a controlled optical environment. The reflector diffuses both excitation and emitted light, allowing the system to measure fluorescence intensity ratios that are inherently resistant to ambient light variations, turning the previously harmful factor into a robust measurement feature
2Measurement precision
If light alignment between excitation source and fluorescent material is critical for accurate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuse reflector serves as a mediator that decouples the alignment between the excitation source and fluorescent material. By diffusing the excitation light across a broader area, the system becomes tolerant to misalignment, reducing the complexity of precise optical coupling while maintaining measurement accuracy through the reflected and diffused light paths
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuse reflector introduces a spatial diffusion dimension to the optical interaction. Instead of requiring precise point-to-point alignment in one dimension, the system uses two-dimensional diffusion of light across the reflector surface, converting the alignment problem from a critical one-dimensional precision requirement to a more tolerant two-dimensional distribution problem
3Reliability
If an integrating sphere is used to diffuse light, then noise from ambient light is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing a complete integrating sphere, the patent segments the function into a simpler diffuse reflector component that can be integrated into the catheter assembly. This segmented approach maintains the essential light diffusion and noise reduction functions while dramatically simplifying manufacturing, allowing the reflector to be formed as part of the catheter structure rather than requiring complex spherical fabrication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter from a complete sphere to a partial reflective structure within the catheter lumen. By adjusting the shape and positioning of the diffuse reflector to fit within the catheter constraints, the system achieves equivalent noise reduction and signal stability without requiring the complex manufacturing of a full integrating sphere
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 solution enables accurate and reliable monitoring of oxygen levels in urine, enhancing early detection of kidney function issues and preventing acute kidney injury by minimizing interference from environmental factors and light alignment variations.
Implementation Method 1
The diffuse reflector is configured to diffuse excitation light received from an excitation light source and direct the diffused excitation light toward the fluorescent material
Implementation Method 2
The fluorescent material is configured to fluoresce light toward a second diffuse reflector when exposed to the emitted excitation light
Implementation Method 3
an integrating sphere to reduce noise from ambient light and reduce variation due to changes in alignment between the excitation light source, the fluorescent material, and the fluorescent light detector
Data Source
AI summary
An example system includes an elongated body, a fluorescent material, and a diffuse reflector. The elongated body defines a lumen and includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The fluorescent material is configured to be in fluid communication with a fluid in the lumen. The diffuse reflector is configured to diffuse excitation light received from an excitation light source and direct the diffused excitation light toward the fluorescent material and diffuse the fluoresced light received from the fluorescence material and direct the fluoresced light toward a fluorescent light detector.