Near-Infrared Driver Tissue Sensing for Accurate Alcohol Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring alcohol levels in drivers, such as blood and breath testing, are invasive, prone to errors, and lack accuracy due to physiological and environmental variability, necessitating a non-invasive and more reliable technique for alcohol detection.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing solid-state light sources, optical detectors, and a controller to non-invasively measure analytes like alcohol in drivers, employing near-infrared spectroscopy with multivariate analysis to calculate alcohol concentrations and control vehicle operation based on these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If blood measurement is used to determine alcohol intoxication levels, then measurement accuracy is improved, but invasiveness and sample handling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive blood sampling system with an optical spectroscopy system that measures alcohol through tissue absorption. The system uses light sources and detectors to non-invasively determine alcohol concentration, eliminating needles, blood draws, and laboratory processing while maintaining measurement accuracy through spectral analysis of tissue samples.
2Ease of operation
If breath testing is used for alcohol measurement, then invasiveness is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to partition coefficient variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses tissue as an intermediary medium between breath and blood for alcohol measurement. By measuring alcohol concentration directly in tissue through spectroscopy, the system eliminates the need for breath-blood partition coefficient conversions and their associated variability issues, achieving both non-invasiveness and accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If non-invasive spectroscopy is used for alcohol measurement, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to tissue complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex tissue spectrum into distinct wavelength regions, each sensitive to specific analytes including alcohol. By analyzing multiple spectral segments and using multivariate analysis, the system isolates alcohol signals from interfering tissue components, achieving accurate non-invasive measurement despite tissue complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple analytes are measured simultaneously, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal spectroscopy platform that can simultaneously measure multiple analytes (alcohol, drugs, metabolic markers) through a single tissue sample analysis. The system uses broad-spectrum light sources and comprehensive spectral analysis to perform multiple diagnostic functions, reducing the need for separate testing devices while maintaining measurement 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 system provides accurate, non-invasive, and reliable alcohol level detection, reducing errors associated with invasive methods and offering real-time monitoring capabilities for vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
employing near-infrared spectroscopy with multivariate analysis to calculate alcohol concentrations
Implementation Method 2
The one or more optical detectors are configured to detect a portion of the light that is not absorbed by the tissue of the vehicle driver
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system and a method for non-invasively measuring an analyte in a vehicle driver and controlling a vehicle based on a measurement of the analyte, the system comprising: a laser bar comprising: a first plurality and a second plurality of solid-state light sources; a first light-transmissive fiber and a second light-transmissive fiber; an optical cable; a sample device; one or more optical detectors; and a controller configured to calculate a measurement of the analyte in the tissue of the vehicle driver based on the light detected by the one or more optical detectors, determine whether the measurement of the analyte in the tissue of the vehicle driver exceeds a pre-determined value, and provide a signal to a device configured to control the vehicle.