Flexible Organic Reflectance Oximeter Array for 2D Oxygenation Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulse oximeters are limited by their bulkiness and rigidity, restricting sensing locations to areas where sufficient light transmission can occur, and they can only perform single-point measurements due to their transmission-mode operation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible reflectance oximeter array (ROA) using interleaved arrays of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photodiodes (OPDs) on a flexible substrate, enabling 2D oxygenation mapping and operation in various locations through reflectance spectroscopy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transmission-mode pulse oximeters are used, then oxygen saturation measurement is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and rigid, limiting sensing locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible thin-film structures for both the light source array and sensor array, allowing the device to conform to various body surfaces and sensing locations. This flexibility enables the oximeter to be placed on irregular body contours and different anatomical sites, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and location adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-point transmission measurement to a two-dimensional reflectance measurement array. By arranging multiple light sources and sensors in interleaved arrays on flexible substrates, the system achieves spatial mapping capability across body surfaces, adding a dimensional aspect that enhances both measurement versatility and location flexibility.
2Measurement precision
If transmission-mode operation is used, then oxygen saturation measurement is possible, but the device can only perform single-point measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple segmented light source arrays and sensor arrays arranged in interleaved configurations. Each array element can independently measure oxygen saturation at its location, and the collective array provides multi-point simultaneous measurement coverage, transforming single-point measurement into distributed spatial measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional single-point measurement to two-dimensional spatial mapping by arranging sensors and light sources in grid-like interleaved arrays. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous measurement across multiple locations and creates spatial maps of oxygen saturation distribution, significantly enhancing measurement coverage and productivity.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional sensing locations are used, then sufficient light transmission is achieved, but the device cannot be placed in various locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional transmission-mode approach by using reflectance mode, where both light sources and sensors are placed on the same side of the tissue. This inversion eliminates the need for light transmission through tissue, allowing the device to be placed on any body surface location regardless of tissue thickness or opacity, thereby achieving both adequate optical signal and location versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible thin-film construction of the arrays allows the device to adapt to various body contours and locations, enabling placement on irregular surfaces and areas that were previously inaccessible to rigid transmission-mode oximeters, thus achieving location versatility without compromising optical performance.
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 ROA allows for comfortable, high-fidelity oxygen saturation monitoring beyond conventional sensing locations, providing 2D mapping capabilities and effective measurement in the absence of pulsatile arterial blood signals, enhancing sensing locations and reducing ambient noise.
Implementation Method 1
a first array of first light emitting elements that emit red light, a second array of second light emitting elements, wherein each second light emitting element emits green light or near-infrared (NIR) light
Implementation Method 2
an array of sensor elements arranged on the at least one flexible substrate, wherein each sensor element is configured to detect red and green light or red and NIR light
Implementation Method 3
The flexible reflectance oximeter array (ROA) embodiments disclosed herein may be used beyond the conventional sensing locations because of the novel sensor configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible oximeter device for measuring pulse and blood oxygen saturation in tissue includes a first array of first light emitting elements that emit red light, a second array of second light emitting elements that emit green light or near-infrared (NIR) light and an array of sensor elements arranged on at least one flexible substrate. Each sensor element is configured to detect red and green or NIR light, and to output a signal representing an amount of red or green or NIR light detected. The first and second arrays and the array of sensor elements form a plurality of interleaved measurement pixels, each pixel comprising one of the first light emitting elements and a corresponding sensor element, and one of the second light emitting elements and a different corresponding sensor element.