Miniature Optical Readhead Using Ambient Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable diagnostic devices for clinical chemistry are bulky, complex, and require controlled lighting, making them inefficient for quick and accurate color measurements in medical diagnostics, and they often necessitate samples to be sent to remote testing centers, leading to errors and increased processing time.
Innovation Solution
A miniature readhead using ambient light with an array of light detectors configured to detect light of multiple wavelengths, housed in a compact, hand-held form factor, which eliminates the need for on-board lighting and reduces mechanical and electronic complexity, allowing for accurate analyte detection without shadows and enabling portable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional reflectance photometry instruments are used for accurate color measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of light detection from complex photometry instruments and implements it using a simplified array of photodetectors that directly sense reflected light from test pads. This extraction of the core measurement function eliminates unnecessary mechanical and electronic complexity while maintaining color measurement accuracy through multi-wavelength detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transport systems and automated test pad handling with a static array of photodetectors that simultaneously measure multiple test pads. This substitution of mechanical systems with a fixed optical detection array dramatically reduces device complexity and size while preserving measurement precision.
2Productivity
If automated test pad transport systems are implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single static detector array that simultaneously reads multiple test pads without mechanical movement. This consolidation of measurement capabilities into a fixed array eliminates the need for automated transport mechanisms while maintaining high productivity through parallel detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential measurement along a single dimension (requiring mechanical transport) to simultaneous multi-dimensional measurement using an array of detectors positioned at different spatial locations. This dimensional expansion allows multiple test pads to be measured concurrently without mechanical complexity.
3Ease of operation
If portable diagnostic devices are created, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to ambient light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific wavelength sensitivity to individual photodetectors in the array, with each detector optimized for detecting specific color wavelengths from test pads. This localized spectral specialization allows accurate color measurement in ambient light conditions by selectively detecting reflected light characteristics at different wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from intensity-only measurement to multi-wavelength spectral detection. By measuring light reflection at multiple wavelengths simultaneously, the system can distinguish between actual test pad color changes and variations in ambient lighting conditions, maintaining precision in portable applications.
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
This solution provides a portable, inexpensive, and rugged diagnostic device capable of quick and accurate test results for various analytes, reducing the need for remote testing and simplifying manufacturability while minimizing power consumption and preventing errors due to improved accuracy and reduced complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The plate is optically transmissive, so that ambient light is transmissible therethrough to the sample media indexed within the tray
Implementation Method 2
An array of light detectors is disposed in spaced relation along the plate, the array including sets of light detectors configured to respectively detect light of at least three mutually distinct wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
Light shields are superposed with each of the light detectors to selectively permit ambient light to pass to the tray, while substantially preventing ambient light from reaching the light detectors prior to reflecting from the test areas
Implementation Method 4
Each of the test areas is configured to react with a sample when disposed in contact with the sample and to change color according to an amount of an analyte in the sample
Data Source
AI summary
A miniature readhead is provided for photometric color detection using ambient light. The readhead is hand-held, including a superposed plate and tray. The tray receives sample media configured to react and to change color according to an amount of analyte in a sample. The plate is optically transmissive, so that ambient light is transmissible therethrough to the sample media indexed within the tray. An array of light detectors is disposed along the plate, including sets of detectors configured to detect light of at least three mutually distinct wavelengths reflected from the test areas. Light shields superposed with each of the light detectors selectively permit ambient light to pass to the tray, while substantially preventing ambient light from reaching the light detectors prior to reflecting from the test areas. The readhead may be incorporated into a photometric diagnostic instrument configured to analyze the reflections and derive a diagnosis value.