Interferometric Parallel Detection Using Digital Rectification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical detection systems for measuring neural activity in the brain face challenges such as limited spatial resolution and depth penetration due to light scattering in tissues, requiring expensive and bulky cameras for high-speed data processing, which hinders portable and wearable applications for brain-computer interfacing.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive optical detection system that employs an interferometer with a sweeping optical source, multiple optical detectors, and compression circuitry to process high-bandwidth signals, reducing data throughput requirements and eliminating the need for high-speed cameras by converting high-bandwidth signals into lower-bandwidth digital signals for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional optical detectors are used for non-invasive brain measurements, then the system can be portable and wearable, but spatial resolution is limited to centimeters and penetration depth is limited to a few millimeters due to light scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/optical detection systems with a radio frequency (RF) detection system. Instead of using optical detectors that directly measure scattered light, the system uses RF signals to probe tissue properties, thereby achieving both portability and improved spatial resolution without the limitations of optical scattering
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical frequency to radio frequency. By measuring tissue properties at RF frequencies rather than optical frequencies, the system avoids the scattering limitations that constrain spatial resolution in optical systems while maintaining portability
2Productivity
If high-speed cameras are used to process high-bandwidth optical signals, then data throughput increases, but the system becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-speed optical cameras with RF detection and processing systems. RF signals can be processed using standard electronic circuitry and digital signal processing techniques, achieving high data throughput without requiring bulky and expensive high-speed camera systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses RF signals as a substitute or copy of the optical measurement approach. Instead of directly detecting and processing high-bandwidth optical signals with cameras, the system captures equivalent tissue property information through RF measurements, achieving the same productivity with simpler, smaller equipment
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 higher data throughput and signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for deeper tissue penetration and improved spatial resolution, making it suitable for portable and wearable applications in brain-computer interfacing.
Implementation Method 1
combining the signal light and the reference light into an interference light pattern
Implementation Method 2
an optical source configured for generating source light having a range of optical wavelengths during each of at least one measurement period
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of optical detectors configured for respectively detecting different subsets of the plurality of optical modes of the interference light pattern
Data Source
AI summary
The source light having a range of optical wavelengths is split into sample light and reference light. The sample light is delivered into a sample, such that the sample light is scattered by the sample, resulting in signal light that exits the sample. The signal light and the reference light are combined into an interference light pattern having optical modes having oscillation frequency components respectively corresponding to optical pathlengths extending through the sample. Different sets of the optical modes of the interference light pattern are respectively detected, and high-bandwidth analog signals representative of the optical modes of the interference light pattern are output. The high-bandwidth analog signals are parallel processed, and mid-bandwidth digital signals are output. The mid-bandwidth digital signals are processed over an i number of iterations, and a plurality of low-bandwidth digital signals are output on the ith iteration. The sample is analyzed based on the low-bandwidth digital signals.