Dual Optical Measurement Sets for Self-Calibrated Deep Tissue Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical measurement systems struggle with unreliable measurements from deep tissue layers due to high attenuation and signal contamination, particularly in applications like noninvasive in vivo optical absorption spectroscopy, where accurate and reliable detection of physiological parameters is crucial.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs two self-calibrated optical measurement sets (OMS1 and OMS2) with specific source-detector-separations (SDS) to provide separate self-calibrated low penetration depth (scLPDC) and deep penetration depth (scDPDC) channels, using a self-calibration scheme to eliminate variables like light intensity and detector sensitivity, allowing for accurate measurements from both superficial and deep tissue layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single optical measurement set is used for both direct and reflected light measurements, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to cross-contamination between measurement channels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of optical measurement setsVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the optical measurement system into two separate measurement sets: a first optical measurement set for direct light measurements and a second optical measurement set for reflected light measurements. This segmentation eliminates cross-contamination between measurement channels while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If multiple optical measurement sets are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidnumber of optical measurement sets

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each optical measurement set is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple measurement tasks. The measurement sets can be configured for different measurement modes (direct, reflected, combined) and can work independently or in combination, reducing the need for even more specialized measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functionality of multiple specialized measurement devices into two versatile measurement sets that can operate independently or together. The controller integrates data from both measurement sets to achieve high-precision measurements that would require multiple separate devices otherwise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If separate measurement sets are used for direct and reflected light, then measurement precision is improved, but the measurement process becomes more time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller coordinates the two measurement sets to operate continuously and simultaneously where possible. During measurement, both direct and reflected light measurements can be performed in parallel or in rapid succession, eliminating idle time and ensuring continuous data acquisition for comprehensive leaf analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 design enables robust and reliable measurement of deep tissue layers by correcting superficial layer contamination, providing early warning indicators for critical conditions and ensuring accurate, real-time monitoring of physiological parameters.

Implementation Method 1

measuring one or more optical properties of the leaf sample across a range of wavelengths... absorptance spectra

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

reflected light measurements... reflectance spectra

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

photosynthesis-active radiation in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 700 nm... gross primary productivity (GPP)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotosynthesis: Photosynthesis

Data Source

PatentEP3975843B1Optical apparatus comprising two self-calibrated optical measurement sets

Publication Date: 2026.04.29 UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH

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Figure 5~6

AI summary

For improving the accuracy and precision of measurements of optical or physiological parameters in a scattering medium (6) such as human tissue, an apparatus (5) is proposed featuring two optical measurements sets, OMS1 (13) and OMS2 (14), each comprising several light sources (7) and detectors (8) defining two pairs of substantially equal source-detector- separations (1a/1b, 2a/2b, and 3a/3b, 4a/4b, respectively), wherein OMS2 (14) offers larger source-detector-separations as OMS1 (13), and wherein an electronic unit (11) of the apparatus (5) is configured to compute self-calibrated measurement signals from detector signals provided by OMS1 (13) and OMS2 (14), respectively, which are representative of measurements of said optical parameter at different depth in the medium (6) and which each require no calibration prior to the measurement.