NIRS Sensor Pad Deflection Elements for Curved Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-invasive medical devices, such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensor assemblies, face challenges in effectively attaching to curved biological tissue surfaces, leading to discomfort and inefficient light transmission due to the need for bending, which increases compression and tension forces within the sensor assembly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of deflection elements within the sensor assembly's pad, such as slots or channels, that extend between the bottom and top surfaces without breaking through the side surfaces, allowing for open passages and reducing compression and tension forces, facilitating attachment to curved surfaces while maintaining light signal integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor assembly is attached to curved biological tissue surfaces, then the sensor can measure tissue characteristics, but the bending increases compression and tension forces within the sensor assembly leading to discomfort and inefficient light transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is segmented into multiple sections by introducing deflection elements (slots or channels) that divide the continuous structure into manageable segments. These segments can independently deflect and accommodate curved surfaces without generating excessive compression or tension forces across the entire pad structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad incorporates deflection elements that create a flexible structure capable of bending and conforming to curved biological tissue surfaces. The slots or channels allow the pad material to flex and adapt to the underlying curvature while maintaining structural integrity and reducing mechanical stress concentration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor assembly is attached to curved biological tissue surfaces, then the sensor can measure tissue characteristics, but the bending increases compression and tension forces leading to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pad structure through deflection elements, the bending stresses are distributed across multiple smaller sections rather than concentrated in a single continuous structure. This segmentation reduces the magnitude of compression and tension forces experienced by any single point, thereby minimizing discomfort during attachment to curved surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pad structure with integrated deflection elements allows the sensor assembly to conform smoothly to curved biological tissue surfaces without creating sharp bends or stress concentration points that would cause discomfort. The flexibility enables adaptive positioning while maintaining patient comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor assembly is attached to curved biological tissue surfaces, then the sensor can measure tissue characteristics, but the bending increases compression and tension forces within the sensor assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection elements segment the pad into multiple sections that can independently deflect to match the underlying curved surface geometry. This segmentation allows each section to achieve optimal contact and light transmission alignment without the entire pad being forced into a suboptimal bent configuration, thereby maintaining light signal transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pad structure with deflection elements enables the sensor assembly to conform to curved surfaces while maintaining the relative positioning of light sources and detectors. This flexibility ensures that light paths remain efficient and uninterrupted despite the curvature of the underlying tissue, preserving measurement reliability.
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 deflection elements enable smoother attachment to curved tissue surfaces, reducing discomfort and enhancing the sensor's ability to accurately measure tissue characteristics by minimizing mechanical stress and maintaining light signal transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light source operable to emit light at one or more predetermined wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
at least one light detector having an active area for detecting light emitted by the light source and passed through the biological tissue
Implementation Method 3
The deflection element is configured as a slot... extending between the bottom and top surfaces without breaking through the side surfaces, allowing for open passages and reducing compression and tension forces
Data Source
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AI summary
A near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensor assembly for measuring a characteristic of a biological tissue is provided. The NIRS sensor assembly includes a light source (22), at least one light detector (24,26), and a layer (32) disposed within the sensor assembly. The light source (22) is operable to emit light at one or more predetermined wavelengths. The at least one light detector (24,26) has an active area for detecting light emitted by the light source (22) and passed through the biological tissue. The light detector (24,26) is operable to produce signals representative of the detected light. The layer (32) disposed within the sensor assembly has at least one deflection element (98).