Milk Composition Analysis with Reflectance and Unscattered Transmittance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing breast milk primarily focus on fat content, neglecting other constituents like carbohydrates and proteins, leading to inaccuracies in determining milk composition.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing combined transmittance, reflectance, and unscattered transmittance measurements, processed through an inverse adding doubling algorithm and Mie scattering formulas, to determine parameters such as fat, protein, and carbohydrate content in milk, using LEDs or laser diodes of varying wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only transmittance measurement is used to determine fat content, then the measurement process is simple, but the accuracy and precision of milk composition analysis is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three different optical measurement methods (transmittance, reflectance, and unscattered transmittance) into a single integrated system. By merging these measurements and processing them together through the inverse adding doubling algorithm, the system achieves comprehensive analysis of multiple milk constituents (fat, protein, carbohydrates) with high accuracy, resolving the contradiction between measurement simplicity and analysis precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it can analyze fat content, protein content, and carbohydrate content in milk using the same hardware setup. The multi-functional approach allows a single device to provide comprehensive milk composition analysis, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If homogenization is performed to improve measurement accuracy, then the analysis precision improves, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical homogenization process with an optical measurement approach. By using the inverse adding doubling algorithm to process optical signals from unscattered transmittance, reflectance, and transmittance measurements, the system can accurately determine constituent sizes and concentrations without mechanical processing, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by introducing unscattered transmittance measurements at specific wavelengths and combining them with reflectance and transmittance data. This parameter change allows the system to directly analyze heterogeneous milk samples without homogenization, achieving high precision analysis while reducing processing time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple measurement methods are combined to analyze multiple constituents, then the comprehensiveness of analysis improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical measurement process into three distinct measurement components (unscattered transmittance, reflectance, and transmittance), each targeting specific milk constituents. By segmenting the measurement approach and processing each component through the inverse adding doubling algorithm separately before integration, the system achieves comprehensive analysis of fat, protein, and carbohydrates while managing device complexity through structured measurement segmentation.
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
Enhances the accuracy and precision of milk analysis by considering light scattering from multiple constituents, reducing the need for homogenization and providing detailed composition information.
Implementation Method 1
the scattering of light caused by at least one other constituent than fat
Implementation Method 2
the amount of light that is absorbed or scattered by fat globules in the expressed milk
Implementation Method 3
a reflectance (R) measurement corresponds to a measurement of measuring light emitted from a light source located at one side of a milk sample and detected by a detector located at the same side of the milk sample
Data Source
AI summary
A method for analyzing milk is disclosed in which method light is introduced into milk and signals resulting from a reflectance measurement, from a transmittance measurement, and from an unscattered transmittance measurement are obtained. The signals may be electronically processed to output information indicative of at least one parameter of the milk. In embodiments, a method for analyzing content of carbohydrates in milk includes introducing light into the milk and analyzing light signals from the milk, wherein the wavelength of the light is not more than 2500 nm, and a device for analyzing milk, which has a first measuring length for measuring transmittance of light through the milk and reflectance of light by the milk, and a second measuring length for measuring unscattered transmittance of light through the milk, wherein the second measuring length is thinner than the first measuring length by a factor of at least 10.