Fiber Optic Illuminator Sensing for Cap Color and Cable Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for fiber optic illumination suffer from light leakage and side scattering, leading to difficulties in distinguishing between multiple fiber optic lines, particularly in high-stress environments like medical infusion settings, where accurate identification is crucial to prevent medication errors.
Innovation Solution
An electronic illuminator system incorporating a sensory system with an ambient light sensor, fiber detection assembly, and cap color detection assembly, utilizing a Rigid-Flex PCB, hall effect sensor, and magnetic flux density to detect and authenticate fiber optic cables, reducing cognitive load and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional fiber optic illumination systems are used, then light transmission through fiber optics is achieved, but light leakage and side scattering occur making it difficult to distinguish between multiple fiber optic lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using different colored caps on fiber optic cables to encode different light wavelengths. The sensory system detects these colors and the illuminator emits corresponding colored light through the fibers, creating distinct visual signatures that prevent confusion between multiple lines while maintaining effective illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of light to solve the identification problem. By associating specific wavelengths with specific fiber lines through colored caps, the system enables clear differentiation between multiple fibers while maintaining adequate illumination intensity for medical procedures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fiber optic lines are used in medical infusion settings, then comprehensive patient care is enabled, but accurate identification becomes crucial to prevent medication errors
Solution Approach 1:
The sensory system provides continuous feedback by detecting the color of caps on connected fiber optic cables. This feedback is processed to identify which fibers are connected and their intended purposes, enabling the system to reliably distinguish between multiple lines and prevent medication errors through accurate real-time identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and human memory with an automated optical sensing system. The sensory system uses photodetectors to automatically detect cap colors and identify fiber lines, eliminating human error in identification while enabling comprehensive multi-line patient care.
3Measurement precision
If sensory systems with ambient light sensors are implemented, then accurate detection and authentication of fiber optic cables is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ambient light sensor serves multiple functions: it detects cap colors for fiber identification, measures ambient light levels for illumination control, and authenticates fiber connections. By making this single component multi-functional, the system achieves high detection precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the authentication function with the ambient light sensing capability. The same sensor that measures light levels for illumination control also detects the spectral signature of colored caps, enabling authentication without adding separate dedicated hardware components.
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 detection and authentication of fiber optic cables, reducing the risk of medication errors by intuitively illuminating based on cap color and ensuring authentic fiber line usage, thus improving operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an ambient light sensor, configured within the housing of the electronic illuminator, wherein the ambient light sensor converts light intensity to a digital signal
Implementation Method 2
a light emitting diode (LED)... emitting light from a transmitter on the cap color detection assembly
Implementation Method 3
fiber detection assembly, having a three dimensional magnetic flux density
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of electronic illuminator systems and methods are disclosed herein, including subsystems and methods of use. In one aspect, a sensory system for an electronic illuminator to detect the presence and color of a fiber optic cable is disclosed. The system comprises a fiber optic cable having a proximal end with a fiber funnel cap and a terminal end with a protective cover. An electronic illuminator that further comprises a housing, a printed circuit board (‘PCB’), a light emitting diode (‘LED’), and a power source. The system further comprises an ambient light sensor, configured within the housing of the electronic illuminator, wherein the ambient light sensor converts light intensity to a digital signal. The system further comprises a fiber detection assembly, having a three dimensional magnetic flux density. Lastly, the system comprises a cap color detection assembly, wherein the cap color detection assembly detects the color of the fiber funnel cap on the proximal end of the fiber optic cable.