Flexible Dielectric Membrane Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive medical examination techniques using electric fields face challenges with temperature variations affecting electrode performance and measurement accuracy, as conventional methods for determining temperature are unreliable.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with insulated electrodes mounted on a flexible dielectric membrane, featuring a dielectric spacer with an infrared sensor to accurately measure the temperature of the membrane, allowing for temperature compensation of output signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrodes are mounted on a flexible dielectric membrane for non-invasive medical examination, then the ability to examine body tissue using electric fields is improved, but temperature variations affect measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by measuring the temperature of the dielectric membrane using an infrared sensor and using this temperature information to compensate for measurement errors. The system continuously monitors temperature and adjusts the electrical measurements accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accuracy despite temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by introducing temperature as an additional measured parameter that is used to correct the primary electrical measurements. By measuring temperature and using it to adjust the interpretation of electrical signals, the system compensates for temperature-induced errors in the original measurements.
2Ease of operation
If conventional temperature measuring devices are used to determine temperature, then temperature measurement is simplified, but the measurements are unreliable as they do not record the actual temperature of the components affected by temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by measuring the temperature of the dielectric membrane itself (the component directly affected by temperature variations) rather than using conventional methods that measure ambient temperature or air temperature. The infrared sensor acts as an intermediary that can non-contactly measure the membrane temperature, providing reliable data about the actual thermal state of the measurement 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
This solution ensures reliable and accurate non-invasive medical examinations by accounting for temperature variations, improving the precision of chemical concentration measurements in blood and tissue analysis.
Implementation Method 1
an infra-red sensor located on said second surface and configured to receive infra-red radiation from said flexible dielectric membrane via said window to determine the temperature of said flexible dielectric membrane
Implementation Method 2
examine body tissue using electric fields... the procedure involves bodily tissue coming into contact with capacitively coupled electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Non-invasive medical examinations are performable in response to generated electric fields. Human tissue is located in contact with an apparatus having insulated electrodes mounted on a flexible dielectric membrane. A transmitting electrode is selected and a monitoring electrode is selected, such that electric fields penetrate the human tissue. The apparatus has a dielectric spacer with a first surface in contact with the dielectric membrane, a second surface, and a window between the first surface and the second surface. An infra-red sensor is located on the second surface and is configured to receive infra-red radiation from the flexible dielectric membrane, via the window, to determine the temperature of the flexible dielectric membrane. A processor is configured to produce output signals derived from the monitoring electrode that are compensated with reference to the determined temperature.