Optical Current Transducer for Laser Doppler Blood Flowmeter Signal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light detecting apparatuses for laser Doppler blood flowmeters face challenges in accurately detecting signal light components due to their lower intensity compared to fixed light components, leading to difficulties in signal extraction and noise interference.

Innovation Solution

A light detecting apparatus is designed with an optical current transducer unit comprising first and second photoelectric conversion elements that output a differential current, and a current/voltage converting unit that amplifies and standardizes this current to enhance signal detection, reducing noise and saturation issues by canceling DC components and amplifying AC components corresponding to the signal light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single photoelectric conversion element is used to detect light from a living body, then the device structure is simple, but the signal light component cannot be accurately detected due to its lower intensity compared to the fixed light component

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of signal light componentVSAvoidstructure complexity of light detecting apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light detecting apparatus is segmented into multiple functional units: a photoelectric conversion element for converting light to electrical signals, a signal separation unit for separating the fixed light component from the signal light component, and a detection unit for detecting the separated signal light component. This segmentation allows accurate detection of the weak signal light component while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The signal separation unit extracts the fixed light component from the total light signal received by the photoelectric conversion element. By taking out and removing the dominant fixed light component, the weaker signal light component becomes detectable without being overwhelmed by the stronger fixed light component, thereby improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If the fixed light component is not removed, then the detection circuit is simple, but the signal light component is obscured by the stronger fixed light component

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal light component detection accuracyVSAvoidcircuit complexity for signal separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal separation unit extracts and removes the fixed light component from the composite light signal. This extraction process isolates the signal light component, enabling accurate detection without the obscuring effect of the stronger fixed light component, thus improving measurement precision despite increased circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The signal separation unit acts as an intermediary between the photoelectric conversion element and the detection unit. It processes the electrical signals by separating the fixed light component from the signal light component, allowing the detection unit to focus on detecting only the signal light component with improved accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If ambient light background is not compensated, then the detection system is simpler, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to ambient light interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidcomplexity of background compensation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal separation unit removes not only the fixed light component from the laser source but also compensates for ambient light background. By extracting and eliminating these unwanted components, the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, enabling more precise detection of the signal light component despite the added complexity of the compensation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 improves the signal-to-noise ratio and enables accurate detection of signal light components, avoiding saturation and enhancing the gain of the amplification process, thus providing a more reliable measurement of fluid information in the test object.

Implementation Method 1

first and second photoelectric conversion element units each converting the input light to an electric current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

current/voltage converting units configured to amplify the detected current, convert it to a voltage signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCurrent/voltage conversion and amplification: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2862510B1Light detecting apparatus and fluid measuring apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 PIONEER IP
  • EP2862510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2862510B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2862510B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A light detecting apparatus includes: a first photoelectric conversion element unit (110) and a second photoelectric conversion element unit(120) each of which converts input light to an electric current and output it; an optical current transducer unit (100) for outputting, as a detected current, a differential current between an electric current outputted by the first photoelectric conversion element unit and an electric current outputted by the second photoelectric conversion element unit; and a first current/voltage converting unit (200) for amplifying the detected current outputted from the optical current transducer unit, converting it to a voltage signal, and outputting the voltage signal.