Wearable fNIRS Probe with Telescopic Rod for Adjustable Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wearable fNIRS brain imaging systems have fixed probe positions, limiting the adjustment of the light source and photoelectric detector distance and angle, which restricts the detection region and increases measurement errors due to varying brain shapes and tissue thickness.
Innovation Solution
A wearable fNIRS brain imaging system with a light source-photoelectric detector module connected via a telescopic pull rod, allowing horizontal and vertical rotation and adjustable distance, combined with a control and wireless transmission module using ARM, DSP, or FPGA, and a power source module, enabling flexible adjustment of the probe position and automatic distance measurement using a linear potentiometer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the probe position is fixed in traditional wearable fNIRS systems, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the detection region is limited and measurement accuracy decreases due to varying brain shapes and tissue thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed probe structure into a movable and adjustable one. The light source probe and photoelectric detector are equipped with adjustable mechanisms that allow changing their positions and distances according to different detection needs, enabling the system to adapt to varying brain shapes and tissue thickness while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the probe assembly into independent adjustable components. The light source probe and photoelectric detector can be independently positioned and adjusted along the optical path, allowing flexible configuration of detection regions without affecting the overall device structure, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between light source probe and photoelectric detector is fixed, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the detection region cannot be enlarged and adjustment ability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability in the distance between the light source probe and photoelectric detector through mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This allows the system to adapt to different detection requirements and brain geometries, significantly improving versatility while the modular design keeps manufacturing complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable distance mechanism provides multi-functionality by enabling the same device to detect different cerebral regions and accommodate various user head sizes and shapes, making the system universally applicable to different detection scenarios without requiring multiple fixed-distance devices.
3Area of stationary object
If the relative position of light source probe and photoelectric detector cannot be freely adjusted, then the device structure is simplified, but the detection region is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the adjustment capability from simple linear movement to multi-dimensional positioning. The light source probe and photoelectric detector can be adjusted not only in distance but also in angular orientation and spatial position, effectively expanding the detection region coverage by utilizing multiple spatial dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
By making the probe positions dynamic and adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom, the system can cover a larger detection region on the brain surface. The adjustable mechanisms allow reconfiguration of the optical path geometry to target different cerebral areas, resolving the limitation of fixed detection regions.
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 flexible adjustment of the detection region, reduces measurement errors, and supports EEG-fNIRS multi-modal brain imaging by synchronously changing the distance and angle between the light source probe and photoelectric detector, improving the accuracy of cerebral blood oxygen concentration calculation.
Implementation Method 1
The light source emits near-infrared light to the brain through the head skin, which is scattered by tissues, received by a photoelectric detector and then converted into electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
The near-infrared light of 600-900 nm is mainly absorbed by the oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and reduced hemoglobin (Hb) in the blood
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable fNIRS brain imaging system, including a light source-photoelectric detector module, a control and wireless transmission module, a power source module, and an upper computer; the system is able to solve the problems in a wearable fNIRS brain imaging system or an EEG-fNIRS multi-modal brain imaging system where the relative position of a probe cannot be freely adjusted and a detection region is limited; in the present system, the relative positions of a light source probe and a photoelectric detector can be freely adjusted according to actual circumstances, and the distance between the two is automatically measured; a brain electricity sensor may be installed at the periphery of the light source probe and a bottom face of a cylindrical casing of the photoelectric detector, and distance therebetween synchronously changes with the probe, implementing EEG-fNIRS multi-modal brain imaging, and also able to capture brain electrical signals of differing densities.