Miniaturized Near-Infrared Spectroscope for Tissue Phase Delay Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional near-infrared spectroscopy systems for measuring phase delay and amplitude in animal tissue are bulky and power-intensive, limiting their portability and practicality for continuous monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized system that includes a modulatable optical source, local and reference oscillators, synchronization system, optical detector, signal processing unit, and digital converters, which modulates and processes near-infrared signals to measure phase delay and amplitude, optionally integrated into a compact integrated circuit consuming less than 50 milliwatts of power and occupying a small volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional near-infrared spectroscopy systems are used to measure phase delay and amplitude in animal tissue, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal processing functions (modulation, detection, phase delay measurement, amplitude detection, and digital conversion) into a single integrated circuit. This merging of previously separate components resolves the technical contradiction by maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing device complexity and bulkiness, enabling portable near-infrared spectroscopy systems
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it modulates the optical source, detects the returned signal, measures phase delay, measures amplitude, and converts signals to digital format. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain comprehensive measurement capabilities while reducing the number of separate components, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
2Measurement precision
If conventional near-infrared spectroscopy systems are used to measure phase delay and amplitude in animal tissue, then measurement precision is maintained, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal processing functions (modulation, detection, phase delay measurement, amplitude detection, and digital conversion) into a single integrated circuit. This merging of previously separate components resolves the technical contradiction by maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing device complexity and bulkiness, enabling portable near-infrared spectroscopy systems
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit is designed to be self-contained, with all necessary signal processing functions implemented within the single chip. This self-service architecture eliminates the need for external processing components, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining measurement precision, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and energy usage
3Measurement precision
If conventional near-infrared spectroscopy systems are used, then adequate signal processing capability is achieved, but the system occupies significant volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal processing functions (modulation, detection, phase delay measurement, amplitude detection, and digital conversion) into a single integrated circuit. This merging of previously separate components resolves the technical contradiction by maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing device complexity and bulkiness, enabling portable near-infrared spectroscopy systems
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit implements a nested architecture where multiple functional blocks (modulator, detector, phase delay measurer, amplitude detector, and ADC) are contained within a single chip. This nesting of functions at the circuit level dramatically reduces the physical volume of the system while preserving all necessary measurement capabilities
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 a portable, low-power near-infrared spectroscope for precise tissue analysis, facilitating point-of-care diagnosis and prolonged monitoring without the bulkiness and high power consumption of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a modulatable optical source providing an optical output in the near infrared frequency range, configured to be mounted to radiate into the tissue
Implementation Method 2
an optical detector, configured to be mounted to receive an optical signal emanating from the tissue and providing an electrical signal output as a result of receiving the optical signal
Implementation Method 3
a signal derived from the signal output of the optical detector is heterodyned with the local oscillator to produce a first intermediate frequency signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method, for measuring phase delay and amplitude of a near infrared signal emanating from tissue of an animal subject in response a near infrared signal input to such tissue, operate by processing a signal from an optical detector and a corresponding signal from an optical detector emulation circuit. In some aspects, the processed signals are fed into a phase delay detection system that provides an output thereof a digital measure of the phase delay of the received optical signal.