Fluorescence Concentrator for Optical Absorption Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical absorption spectroscopy in living tissue, such as skin, is hindered by strong light scattering, making it difficult to quantify weakly absorbing analytes like glucose due to the indeterminacy of light paths and resulting in unreliable results.
Innovation Solution
A subcutaneously implanted fluorescence concentrator is used, which converts incident light into fluorescent light of longer wavelengths, concentrating and directing it towards the skin surface for detection, allowing for reliable quantification of analytes independent of their absorption strength and minimizing the impact of light scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light is propagated through tissue for absorption spectroscopy, then analyte quantification is possible, but light scattering causes indeterminacy of light paths and unreliable results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluorescent layer as an intermediary substance applied to the skin surface. This fluorescent layer absorbs incident light and re-emits it as fluorescent light, serving as a mediator between the external light source and the tissue. The fluorescent light then interacts with the tissue and analytes, allowing absorption spectroscopy to be performed on the fluorescent light that has passed through the tissue, thereby enabling reliable analyte quantification despite light scattering effects.
2Measurement precision
If weakly absorbing particles are measured in small concentrations, then analyte detection is required, but strong light scattering makes quantification difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The fluorescent layer acts as an intermediary that converts incident light into fluorescent light with specific wavelengths. This fluorescent light then serves as the probing light for absorption spectroscopy, allowing weakly absorbing analytes to be detected against the background of tissue scattering. The fluorescent emission provides a controlled light source at the tissue interface, improving the signal-to-noise ratio for detecting weakly absorbing substances.
3Ease of operation
If light source is placed subcutaneously for direct tissue illumination, then absorption spectroscopy can be performed, but no power supply is available for the implant
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service by employing the incident light from the external light source as the energy source. The fluorescent layer on the skin surface automatically converts this incident light into fluorescent light without requiring any power supply. This eliminates the need for batteries or other power sources in the subcutaneous device, as the system harvests its own operating energy from the external light that would otherwise be wasted.
4Productivity
If fluorescent dye is applied to transparent plate for light concentration, then diffuse light can be concentrated, but light trapping via total reflection must be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a transparent plate with specific geometric dimensions and optical properties to concentrate fluorescent light. The plate structure utilizes total internal reflection at its interfaces to trap and guide the fluorescent light, converting diffuse emission into a concentrated beam. The plate's geometry and refractive index are optimized to maximize light concentration while minimizing losses through controlled coupling of light into and out of the plate structure.
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 approach enables precise and reliable absorption spectroscopy by collecting and concentrating diffuse light, distinguishing between fluorescent light and tissue-emitted light, and allows for repeated measurements without a power supply, improving the accuracy and reliability of analyte quantification.
Implementation Method 1
has a fluorescent layer 112, wherein the fluorescent layer 112 is designed to absorb a light 13 emitted onto the skin surface 10 and to convert the absorbed light into a fluorescent light
Implementation Method 2
Since the radiation takes place within the material, a large part of the light remains trapped in the sheet via total reflection, like in a light guide
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (11) has a fluorescent layer (112) which is arranged to absorb light (13) radiated from a skin surface (10), and to convert the absorbed light into a fluorescent light (14). A fluorescent light radiating portion (113) is provided to receive the fluorescence light, and radiate received light in a direction of the skin surface. The fluorescent layer is formed on a substrate (111) formed of high-refractive index material. An independent claim is included for the light detecting device.