Optical Analysis Housing With Precision Mounting for Reproducible Validation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical analysis systems face challenges in ensuring high measurement accuracy and reproducibility when integrated into process environments due to complex validation procedures requiring removal and reinstallation, and lack of a universal housing that supports various measuring arrangements and environments.

Innovation Solution

A universal housing with a mechanical interface for precise, detachable mounting of optical analysis devices, allowing easy transfer between process and laboratory environments, and featuring a component carrier for interchangeable components to adapt to different measurement tasks, along with a cooling/heating system for temperature stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a probe is inserted into the patient's body for optical measurement, then measurement precision can be improved, but patient comfort deteriorates and health risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical measurement precisionVSAvoidpatient discomfort and health risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the optical measurement function from the patient's body by using an external probe positioned on the skin surface. The probe captures optical signals (reflected, transmitted, or emitted light) from the tissue without requiring insertion, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating the harmful effects of invasive procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The probe acts as an intermediary device between the external measurement system and the patient's tissue. It facilitates optical signal interaction with the tissue (through reflection, transmission, or fluorescence) without direct insertion, serving as a non-invasive mediator that preserves both measurement accuracy and patient comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple optical fibers are bundled together in a rigid structure, then manufacturing precision is improved, but flexibility deteriorates making patient adaptation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber bundle alignmentVSAvoidpatient adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The probe incorporates flexible fiber optic bundles that can dynamically adapt to the contours of the patient's body surface. The flexibility allows the probe to conform to various anatomical shapes while maintaining the manufacturing precision of fiber alignment through controlled flexibility and proper bundle construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The probe uses flexible fiber optic cables and thin-film structures that can bend and conform to the patient's body surface. This flexibility enables the probe to adapt to different patient anatomies while maintaining optical signal integrity through proper fiber bundle design and protection layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If optical signals are transmitted through tissue, then measurement capability is improved, but signal attenuation and scattering increase reducing measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidsignal accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The probe employs local quality optimization by using specific fiber types (single-mode or multi-mode) optimized for particular wavelength ranges and tissue depths. Different fibers within the bundle can have different properties tailored to specific measurement requirements, improving signal accuracy while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes parameter changes by operating at multiple wavelengths and adjusting optical parameters (intensity, pulse duration, wavelength) to optimize signal penetration and reduce attenuation effects. This allows compensation for tissue scattering and absorption while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reliable, reproducible measurements across various environments by ensuring stable component alignment, easy validation, and quick reconfiguration for different tasks, while protecting against environmental influences.

Implementation Method 1

an optical fiber or a bundle of optical fibers (3) arranged to form a probe head (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical signal transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

interacting an optical signal with a medium (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical interaction with medium: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4327072B1Housing for a measuring arrangement for the optical determination of a parameter of a medium
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 NOVA INDUSTRIAL ANALYTICS GMBH
  • EP4327072B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4327072B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4327072B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical analysis device (10) for determining at least one parameter of a medium in a process situation (5) or a laboratory environment. The optical analysis device (10) comprises an optical measuring assembly (80) having a plurality of components (81, 82, 83, 84) which are arranged in an interior space (21) of a housing (20). The housing (20) has at least one inlet/outlet region (40) for the entry and/or exit of optical radiation and also a mechanical interface (50) for precisely positioned releasable fastening of the optical analysis device (10) at a location where it is to be used, in particular in a process situation (5). The mechanical interface (50) advantageously spatially overlaps the inlet/outlet region (40) for optical radiation. This enables fast installation and removal of the optical analysis device (10) in different locations where it is to be used.