Optical Measurement Circuit for Phase-Based Scattered-Light Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical measurement technologies fail to effectively remove noise components caused by irradiation light itself, such as scattered light, which interferes with the detection of fluorescence signals.
Innovation Solution
An optical measurement device and method that utilizes a light detection unit to detect fluorescence and scattered light with equivalent phases, and a signal processing unit to remove the scattered light component based on their phase difference, employing phase modulation and lock-in techniques to isolate and enhance the fluorescence signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescence measurement is performed on a sample irradiated with excitation light, then fluorescence signal can be detected, but noise components caused by irradiation light itself (such as scattered light) cannot be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase modulation to the excitation light, changing its temporal parameter from continuous to periodic. This allows the fluorescence signal and scattered light to be distinguished based on their phase relationship, enabling removal of the scattered light noise component while preserving the fluorescence signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent continuously modulates the excitation light phase and continuously processes the detection signal to remove scattered light components. This continuous action ensures that fluorescence measurement can proceed without interruption while systematically eliminating noise throughout the measurement process.
2Loss of information
If all light components from the sample are detected, then complete detection signal is obtained, but noise components from irradiation light are included
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the scattered light noise component from the detection signal by identifying and eliminating signal components with phase equivalent to the excitation light. This extraction process separates the harmful scattered light from the useful fluorescence signal while maintaining completeness of the detection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful scattered light noise into a useful reference by utilizing its phase relationship with the excitation light. By phase-modulating the excitation light, the scattered light becomes a predictable signal that can be systematically identified and removed, transforming it from a nuisance into a basis for noise elimination.
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
Effectively removes noise components from detection signals, enhancing the sensitivity and accuracy of fluorescence measurements by minimizing interference from scattered light, allowing for improved signal-to-noise ratios and reduced device complexity.
Implementation Method 1
detection light including second light generated from a sample irradiated with first light
Implementation Method 2
third light caused by the first light
Implementation Method 3
The signal processing unit removes a signal component corresponding to the third light from the detection signal on the basis of a phase difference between the second light and the third light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical measurement device includes a light detection element for detecting detection light including fluorescence generated from an immuno-chromatography test piece irradiated with excitation light and scattered light caused by the excitation light and having a phase equivalent to that of the excitation light, and a cancel circuit for processing a detection signal corresponding to the detection light. The cancel circuit removes a signal component corresponding to the scattered light from the detection signal on the basis of a phase difference between the fluorescence and the scattered light.