Flexible Pulse Oximeter Reflectance Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulse oximeters are bulky, rigid, and limited to specific tissue areas for measurement due to their inflexibility and sensitivity to motion, restricting their application in monitoring blood oxygen saturation.
Innovation Solution
The development of flexible pulse oximeters using solution-processed organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photodetectors, allowing for reflectance measurements on various body parts and enabling disposable, cost-effective devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional transmission-based pulse oximeters are used, then oxygen saturation measurement is achieved, but the device is bulky and rigid with limited application areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible substrates with integrated light-emitting elements and photodetectors arranged in reflective geometry, replacing rigid transmission-based structures. This enables the device to conform to various body surfaces including curved areas like the forehead and chest, significantly expanding applicable measurement locations beyond traditional finger and earlobe sites.
2Reliability
If traditional pulse oximeters are used, then oxygen saturation is measured, but the device is sensitive to motion
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate design allows the sensor to dynamically conform to body movements and maintain optimal contact with the measurement site. This dynamic adaptability reduces motion artifacts by ensuring consistent optical coupling during patient movement, thereby improving measurement reliability in mobile or critical care settings.
3Ease of manufacture
If solution processed OLEDs and photodetectors are used, then flexible and disposable devices are enabled, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes and photodetectors that can be fabricated using low-cost printing and coating techniques on flexible substrates. This approach replaces expensive vacuum deposition processes with solution-based methods, enabling scalable manufacturing of flexible, disposable oximeter sensors while maintaining 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
Enables accurate and versatile monitoring of blood oxygen saturation on a wide range of body locations, reducing sensitivity to motion and improving patient care through flexible, inexpensive, and disposable medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first light emitting element that emits red light, a second light emitting element that emits green light
Implementation Method 2
use solution processed Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs)
Implementation Method 3
a sensor element that detects red and green light and that outputs signals representing detected red and green light
Implementation Method 4
measuring blood oxygen saturation by comparing the amount of light absorbed by the blood at two different wavelengths
Implementation Method 5
reflected light is recorded by the organic photodetector
Data Source
AI summary
Pulse oximeter devices include a first light emitting element that emits red light, a second light emitting element that emits green light or IR light; and a sensor element that detects red and green (or IR) light and that outputs signals representing detected red and green (or IR) light. The pulse oximeter device further includes a flexible substrate, wherein the first light emitting element, the second light emitting element and the sensor element are formed on the flexible substrate. The sensor element is configured to detect the emitted red and green light transmitted through tissue containing blood, and in certain aspects, the sensor element is configured to detect the emitted red and green (or IR) light reflected by tissue containing blood. A signal processing element (e.g., a processor) receives and processes the signals representing detected red and green (or IR) light output by the sensor element to produce signals representing blood oxygenation content.