Optical Body Temperature Sensor Using Multi-Path Spectral Slope Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body temperature measurement technologies face challenges in accurately estimating deep body temperature due to variations from external environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, and air flow, especially with portable wearable devices.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using a sensor to obtain spectra through multiple light paths, including one that penetrates deep into the dermis, and a processor to calculate a temperature slope based on these spectra and a reference spectrum, estimating body temperature by normalizing and analyzing the differences, thereby minimizing environmental factor impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a contact type sensor (RTD, thermistor, thermocouple) is used to measure body temperature, then the measurement can be obtained through direct contact, but the measurement is affected by external environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-type mechanical/thermal sensors (RTD, thermistor, thermocouple) with an optical measurement system that uses light sources and detectors to measure body temperature through optical absorption spectra, eliminating direct thermal contact and thus reducing environmental thermal interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light (electromagnetic radiation) as an intermediary medium to transfer thermal information from the body to the detector without direct thermal contact, using the absorption characteristics of water in tissue at different wavelengths to infer temperature
2Ease of operation
If a non-contact type sensor (thermopile, micro-bolometer) is used to measure body temperature, then direct contact is avoided, but the measurement is still significantly affected by changes in environmental factors such as ambient temperature, humidity, and air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal radiation-based non-contact sensors (thermopile, micro-bolometer) with an optical absorption-based system that measures light absorption spectra through tissue, fundamentally changing the measurement mechanism from thermal radiation detection to optical property analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from thermal radiation intensity to optical absorption spectrum characteristics, specifically utilizing the temperature-dependent absorption coefficients of water in the infrared wavelength range to determine body temperature
3Temperature
If skin temperature is measured to estimate deep body temperature, then a portable device can be used, but the skin temperature varies depending on external temperature making accurate deep body temperature measurement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from measuring temperature directly at the skin surface to analyzing optical absorption spectra that contain information about deeper tissue temperatures, using the light-tissue interaction dimension to access thermal information from deeper body layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses light absorption spectra as an intermediary to indirectly access deep body temperature information, where the absorption characteristics of water in tissue at different wavelengths serve as a proxy for measuring temperatures at depths not directly accessible to surface sensors
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
This approach allows for accurate estimation of body temperature by reducing the influence of external environmental factors, providing a reliable method for deep body temperature measurement even with portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
a detector configured to detect the light scattered or reflected from the object after the light is emitted by the light source
Implementation Method 2
a detector configured to detect the light scattered or reflected from the object after the light is emitted by the light source
Implementation Method 3
obtain spectra through a plurality of light paths of an object... obtain a temperature slope between temperatures corresponding to the plurality of light paths based on the spectra of the plurality of light paths and a reference spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for estimating body temperature of an object is provided. The apparatus for estimating body temperature includes: a sensor configured to obtain spectra through a plurality of light paths of an object; and a processor configured to obtain a temperature slope between temperatures corresponding to the plurality of light paths based on the spectra of the plurality of light paths and a reference spectrum measured at a reference temperature, and estimate the body temperature of the object based on the temperature slope.