Interferometric NIR Spectroscopy for Blood Flow and Phase Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) systems for brain imaging require additional devices for blood flow monitoring, are bulky and slow due to heavy averaging, and disregard optical phase information, leading to incomplete data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
An interferometric near infrared spectroscopy (iNIRS) system with multiple optical channels of different lengths to separate beat frequencies, enabling simultaneous data acquisition and processing without additional circuitry, utilizing wavelength swept emission and interferometric detection to obtain separate time of flight distributions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple devices are used for blood flow monitoring in NIRS systems, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines NIRS and DCS into a single integrated system that measures both optical properties and blood flow dynamics using one instrument. The system uses a single light source and detector arrangement to simultaneously acquire data for both spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to perform multiple functions with a single device - it can conduct both NIRS measurements (for optical properties) and DCS measurements (for blood flow and intracranial pressure) using the same hardware infrastructure. This multi-functional approach allows one instrument to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized devices.
2Measurement precision
If heavy averaging is used in DCS approaches, then measurement accuracy is improved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary signal processing during the data acquisition phase by simultaneously capturing both NIRS and DCS data streams. The interferometric detection enables real-time extraction of both optical and dynamical information from the same light signals, preparing processed data for subsequent analysis without requiring heavy post-acquisition averaging, thus maintaining speed while ensuring accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If phase information is disregarded in NIRS and DCS, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but information completeness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces interferometric detection as an intermediary mechanism that preserves and utilizes phase information. By using interferometry, the system can extract both amplitude and phase data from the light signals, enabling complete characterization of the optical field. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain measurement simplicity while recovering the previously discarded phase information for enhanced analysis.
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 iNIRS system provides enhanced data acquisition and processing efficiency, allowing for more detailed brain imaging and analysis with improved optical and dynamical property measurements, including blood flow and intracranial pressure monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to provide wavelength swept emission of light
Implementation Method 2
The detector is arranged to combine: the reference light with the first sample light to provide light signals at a plurality of first beat frequencies between the first sample light and the reference light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 3d~3e
AI summary
An interferometric near infrared spectroscopy, iNIRS, system comprising: a light emitting arrangement comprising a light source configured to provide wavelength swept emission of light; and a light detecting arrangement comprising an interferometric optical detector; the iNIRS system comprising a plurality of optical channels arranged to define: a first optical channel path arranged to extend: (i) between the light source and the object for delivering first sample light from the light source to the object, and (ii) between the object and the detector for delivering first sample light received from the object to the detector; a second optical channel path arranged to extend: (i) between the light source and the object for delivering second sample light from the light source to the object, and (ii) between the object and the detector for delivering second sample light received from the object to the detector; and a reference optical channel path arranged to extend between the light source and the detector for delivering reference light from the light source to the detector along a reference channel.