NIRS Optical Device for Non-Invasive Hemoglobin Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring biological indicators, such as total hemoglobin levels, are invasive and require blood draws, limiting their practicality for continuous monitoring during exercise or physical activities.

Innovation Solution

A non-invasive optical-electronic device using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to determine biological indicators like total hemoglobin levels in tissues or blood vessels, employing a processor to calculate relative matches between spectral data and predetermined chromophore data, and transmitting alerts or data in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If blood draws are performed to measure total hemoglobin levels, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal hemoglobin level measurementVSAvoidmonitoring procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical invasive procedure of blood drawing with an optical measurement system using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). The NIRS device measures total hemoglobin levels through light absorption spectroscopy, eliminating the need for needle insertion and blood collection while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to measure hemoglobin levels. By shining near-infrared light through the tissue and measuring absorption characteristics, the system indirectly determines total hemoglobin concentration without direct blood contact, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If blood draws are performed for monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to inability for continuous monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiological indicator measurementVSAvoidcontinuous monitoring capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous monitoring by maintaining constant or repeated optical measurements through the NIRS device. Unlike discrete blood draws, the optical system can continuously track hemoglobin levels, oxygen saturation, and other biological indicators throughout exercise sessions, thereby improving productivity and monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The replacement of intermittent mechanical blood sampling with continuous optical measurement allows for uninterrupted data collection, transforming the monitoring process from discrete events to a continuous stream of physiological information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If invasive procedures are used for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to tissue penetration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiological indicator measurementVSAvoidtissue intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical tissue penetration with non-invasive optical measurement. Near-infrared light penetrates tissue without causing physical damage, eliminating the harmful effects of needle insertion while preserving measurement precision through spectroscopic analysis of light absorption by hemoglobin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

By using light as an intermediary, the system measures biological indicators through tissue without direct contact or intrusion. The optical photons interact with chromophores in the tissue to provide measurement data, avoiding the harmful mechanical effects of invasive procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 continuous, non-invasive monitoring of biological indicators, providing real-time data on physiological parameters during exercise and other physical conditions, reducing the need for invasive procedures.

Implementation Method 1

A non-invasive optical-electronic device using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to determine biological indicators like total hemoglobin levels in tissues or blood vessels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear Infrared Spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

employing a processor to calculate relative matches between spectral data and predetermined chromophore data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption by chromophores: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12053278B2Device and method for determining biological indicator levels in tissue

Publication Date: 2024.08.06 HAPPY HEALTH INC

AI summary

A device configured to determine a biological indicator level in tissue. The device includes at least one emitter configured to emit light, a detector configured to receive light and transmit data representative of the received light and a processor coupled to the at least one emitter and the detector. The device further includes a non-transitory storage medium coupled to the processor and configured to store instruction to cause the device to determine a level of a biological indicator.