Integrated Prism Optics for Compact Biological Fluid Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological information acquisition apparatuses that measure blood flow volume, velocity, and pulse rate using scattered light are bulky due to the use of multiple independent elements, making them unsuitable for wearable applications.
Innovation Solution
A biological fluid information acquisition apparatus with a prism that branches a laser beam into two luminous fluxes, utilizing a prism with specific boundary face configurations to reduce size and thickness, allowing for accurate biological fluid information acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple independent elements are used to achieve optical branching, return light prevention, and oblique irradiation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and apparatus size becomes too large for wearable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent functional elements (optical branching element, return light prevention element, oblique irradiation element) into a single integrated prism structure. The prism simultaneously performs beam splitting into first and second luminous fluxes, prevents return light through its geometric configuration, and provides oblique irradiation at the examination site, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The prism is designed as a multi-functional optical element that performs several functions at once: it branches the laser beam into two separate luminous fluxes for differential measurement, prevents return light from interfering with the detection, and directs the second luminous flux at an oblique angle to the examination site. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple separate components.
2Measurement precision
If multiple independent elements are used to achieve optical branching, return light prevention, and oblique irradiation, then measurement precision is improved, but the apparatus size increases making it unsuitable for wearable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single compact prism structure. Instead of using separate elements for optical branching, return light prevention, and oblique irradiation, the prism integrates all these functions into one unified component, significantly reducing the overall apparatus volume and making it suitable for wearable applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The prism structure is designed with a nested configuration where the optical paths and functional elements are arranged concentrically or in nested fashion. The first and second luminous fluxes are directed through nested optical paths within the prism, and the return light prevention mechanism is integrated within the same structure, maximizing space efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If a conventional prism configuration is used, then optical functions are achieved, but the apparatus thickness becomes too large for wearable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the prism by changing the dimensional arrangement of its boundary faces. Specifically, the interval between the second boundary face and third boundary face in the thickness direction (Y direction) is made shorter than the interval between the first and fourth boundary faces in the width direction (X direction). This dimensional optimization reduces the apparatus thickness while maintaining all necessary optical functions for accurate biological fluid measurement.
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 apparatus is compact, reducing burden on the wearer while accurately acquiring biological fluid information such as blood flow volume, velocity, and pulse rate.
Implementation Method 1
a prism (4) that branches the laser beam (L) emitted from the light source (3) into a first luminous flux (L1) and a second luminous flux (L2)
Implementation Method 2
a second boundary face (42) that totally reflects the second luminous flux (L2)
Implementation Method 3
a third boundary face (43) that totally reflects the second luminous flux (L2) reflected by the second boundary face (42)
Implementation Method 4
a fourth boundary face (44) that emits the second luminous flux (L2) reflected by the third boundary face (43)
Implementation Method 5
a first light receiving element (5) that receives the first luminous flux (L1)
Implementation Method 6
a second light receiving element (6) that receives a scattered light (L3) obtained from a living body (100) when the second luminous flux (L2) enters a site to be examined of the living body (100)
Data Source
AI summary
A biological fluid information acquisition apparatus includes a light source, a prism, a first light receiving element, a second light receiving element, a differential circuit, and a signal processing unit. The prism has a first boundary face that branches a laser beam emitted from the light source into a first luminous flux and a second luminous flux, a second boundary face that totally reflects the second luminous flux, a third boundary face that totally reflects the second luminous flux reflected by the second boundary face, and a fourth boundary face emitting the second luminous flux reflected by the third boundary face, and, when a width direction of the biological fluid information acquisition apparatus is an X direction and a thickness direction of the biological fluid information acquisition apparatus orthogonal to the X direction is a Y direction, an interval between the second boundary face and the third boundary face in the Y direction is shorter than an interval between the first boundary face and the fourth boundary face in the X direction.