Multiple Wavelength Sensor Emitters for Physiological Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pulse oximetry technologies are limited in their ability to noninvasively measure multiple physiological parameters beyond oxygen saturation and pulse rate, such as carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, fractional oxygen saturation, total hemoglobin, bilirubin, and blood glucose, which are important for clinical monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A physiological sensor system utilizing light emitting sources capable of transmitting multiple wavelengths of light, with a detector responsive to the attenuated light after tissue absorption, allowing for the measurement of various blood parameters by addressing an electrical grid to emit and detect light indicative of physiological characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional pulse oximetry uses single-wavelength light sources, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is limited to only oxygen saturation and pulse rate
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented into multiple independent LED emitters, each emitting at different wavelengths (red, infrared, and other wavelengths). This allows the system to measure multiple physiological parameters simultaneously by selectively activating specific wavelength combinations, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple wavelength LEDs that can be selectively activated to measure various physiological parameters including oxygen saturation, pulse rate, carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, fractional oxygen saturation, total hemoglobin, bilirubin, and blood glucose. This universal sensor design eliminates the need for separate devices for each measurement
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wavelength light sources are used to measure multiple physiological parameters, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is divided into multiple independently controllable LED segments, each emitting at specific wavelengths. This segmentation allows flexible combination of wavelengths for different measurement applications, enabling the system to adapt to various physiological parameters without requiring a completely different sensor architecture for each measurement type
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system dynamically selects and activates different wavelength combinations based on the required measurement. The controller can dynamically adjust which LEDs are active, allowing the same physical sensor to adapt its measurement capabilities for different physiological parameters, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing hardware complexity
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 the accurate and robust measurement of multiple physiological parameters beyond traditional pulse oximetry, providing enhanced clinical information with increased accuracy and comfort through the use of a multiple wavelength sensor system.
Implementation Method 1
The theoretical basis of this technique is the Beer-Lambert law, which states that the concentration ci of an absorbent in solution can be determined by the intensity of light transmitted through the solution
Implementation Method 2
a detector that responds to the intensity of the optical radiation after absorption (e.g., by transmission or transreflectance) by pulsatile arterial blood flowing within the tissue site
Data Source
AI summary
A physiological sensor has light emitting sources, each activated by addressing at least one row and at least one column of an electrical grid. The light emitting sources are capable of transmitting light of multiple wavelengths and a detector is responsive to the transmitted light after attenuation by body tissue.