Modular Optical Measuring System for Cerebral Activity Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional near-infrared spectroscopic analyzers for measuring brain function are large and impractical for use in home or rehabilitation settings due to size and cost constraints, and existing portable systems are cumbersome during rehabilitation exercises.
Innovation Solution
A modular optical measuring system comprising a main device for hospital use and a portable device for home use, with a detachable tablet controller allowing for flexible placement and observation modes to accommodate both patient and physician needs during rehabilitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional near-infrared spectroscopic analyzer is used for measuring brain function, then measurement precision is maintained, but device size becomes large and impractical for home or rehabilitation settings
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional spectroscopic analyzer is divided into two separate devices: a main device that remains in the hospital and a portable device that can be used at home or during rehabilitation. The portable device contains only the essential components (light source, optical fibers, and simple detector) needed for data collection, while the complex processing components remain in the main device.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex processing components (spectroscopic analyzer, data processing unit) are extracted from the portable device and kept only in the main hospital device. The portable device is left with only the minimal components necessary for light emission and detection, dramatically reducing its size and making it suitable for home use.
2Ease of operation
If a portable optical measuring device is used during rehabilitation exercises, then ease of operation is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome and interferes with patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The complex processing and control components are extracted from the portable device and kept only in the main hospital device. The portable device contains only simple light-emitting components and optical fibers, making it lightweight and non-interfering during patient exercises while still enabling precise measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device serves as a simplified copy or replica of the full spectroscopic analyzer, containing only the essential light emission and detection components needed for measurement, while the complex processing functions are performed by the main device through data transmission.
3Measurement precision
If a large spectroscopic analyzer is installed in home settings, then measurement precision is maintained, but installation space and cost become prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into a main hospital-based device and a portable home device. The portable device occupies minimal space and can be easily stored, while the main device handles all complex processing functions, maintaining measurement precision without requiring large installation space at home.
Solution Approach 2:
The space-consuming complex processing components are extracted from the home device and kept only in the hospital main device. The home device contains only minimal components for light emission and detection, reducing installation space requirements to a fraction of the original system.
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 convenient and unobtrusive measurement data collection during rehabilitation, allowing patients to perform exercises with minimal interference from the measurement device and allowing physicians to monitor progress effectively.
Implementation Method 1
near infrared beams of three different wavelengths λ1, λ2, and λ3 (for example, 780 nm, 805 nm, and 830 nm) are directed into the brain through light transmitting probes
Implementation Method 2
the strengths of the near infrared lights of the respective wavelengths λ1, λ2, and λ3 emitted from the brain (received brightness information) A(λ1), A(λ2), and A(λ3) are detected through light receiving probes
Data Source
AI summary
An optical measuring system comprises a control device and an optical meter. The optical meter comprises a first case, a first controller for controlling light emitters for irradiating a patient with light and light receivers for receiving light from the patient to obtain measurement data regarding a cerebral activity, and a first transmitter and receiver for transmitting the measurement data to the control device. The control device comprises a second case removably attached to the first case, a display and input device on a surface of the second case, a second transmitter and receiver for receiving the measurement data from the optical meter, and a second controller for controlling the display and input device to display the measurement data from the optical meter. The second case can be attached on a top face of the first case when the first case is placed on a table.