Handheld NIRS Scanner Optical Fiber Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) tissue scanning systems face challenges in achieving high resolution and precision due to the scattering of light in biological tissues, leading to low resolution and increased complexity and cost with the need for multiple transmitter-receiver pairs.
Innovation Solution
A handheld near-infrared spectroscopy based tissue oxygenation scanner utilizing a single transmitter-receiver pair and a plurality of optical fibers connected via an optical switch, allowing for efficient transmission and reception of near-infrared light and enabling higher density tissue interrogation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple transmitter-receiver pairs are used to improve measurement precision, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tissue interrogation area into multiple spatial locations by using a single transmitter-receiver pair that moves across the tissue surface. The optical fiber bundle segments the measurement function across multiple spatial positions rather than using multiple simultaneous transmitter-receiver pairs, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through spatial sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs dynamic movement of the optical fiber bundle across the tissue surface to interrogate different regions. Instead of static multiple transmitter-receiver pairs, the system dynamically repositions the single transmitter-receiver pair to scan across the tissue, achieving comprehensive coverage through temporal-spatial dynamics rather than parallel hardware.
2Loss of information
If multiple transmitter-receiver pairs are used to increase information density, then information density is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber bundle segments the information collection function across multiple spatial locations. By distributing the measurement function across many fiber elements that can be independently positioned or bundled, the system achieves high information density without requiring multiple complete transmitter-receiver pairs, thus reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single transmitter-receiver pair performs multiple functions by moving across different tissue locations. The same optical components serve multiple measurement positions, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware at each position and reducing system complexity while maintaining high information density through multi-position capability.
3Measurement precision
If light scattering in tissue is accounted for to improve resolution, then resolution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical arrangements of multiple fixed transmitter-receiver pairs with a movable optical fiber bundle system. This substitution achieves high spatial resolution through the controlled movement and positioning of the fiber bundle rather than through complex static optical pathways, simplifying the overall system architecture.
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
The innovative scanner design provides faster operation, higher resolution, and more information in a given time period, while maintaining a compact and portable form factor, thus overcoming the limitations of existing NIRS systems.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of optical fibers that transmit light into tissue under examination and receive light after interacting with that tissue
Implementation Method 2
an optical switch, and a plurality of optical fibers that transmit light into tissue under examination
Implementation Method 3
near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a technology to measure the changes in the oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin in both arterial and venous blood
Implementation Method 4
send near infrared and infrared (red) light into the tissue and detect any backscattered light
Data Source
AI summary
An improved near-infrared spectroscopy based handheld tissue oxygenation scanner and method in which the handheld tissue oxygenation scanner is a small device-like an optical mouse-employing a single transmitter-receiver pair, an optical switch, and a plurality of optical fibers that transmit light into tissue under examination and receive light after interacting with that tissue. The integration of a plurality of optical fibers wherein each individual one provides emission/reception of infrared radiation advantageously provides a higher density of tissue interrogation by the infrared radiation thereby providing faster operation and more information in a given time period. Additional features and advantages of our inventive system and method include computer control and the ability to connect to a variety of computing devices via BlueTooth and other communications techniques.