Optical Measuring Apparatus with Dual Light Source Body Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical measuring apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring biological characteristics such as blood flow rate and percutaneous oxygen saturation, particularly in distinguishing between light reflections from blood vessels and other tissues, and in efficiently detecting the presence of a body for measurement.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a combination of a laser emitting element and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to emit and receive light, using Doppler shift and speckle patterns to analyze light intensity changes over time, with a controller managing light emission patterns to differentiate between standby and measuring modes, and calculate blood flow rate and oxygen saturation based on spectral distribution and light absorption variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If light is emitted continuously for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases and body detection efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiological characteristic measurement accuracyVSAvoidlight-emitting element energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic light emission by switching between a first light-emitting element (for body detection) and a second light-emitting element (for biological characteristic measurement). The controller alternates between these modes, emitting light only when needed for specific functions rather than continuously, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision when the second element is active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If light emission amount is increased for accurate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but distinction between blood vessel reflection and other tissue reflection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow rate and oxygen saturation measurement accuracyVSAvoidlight reflection interference from non-blood-vessel tissues

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light emission function into two distinct light-emitting elements with different characteristics. The first element emits light at a wavelength and intensity optimized for body detection, while the second element emits light specifically tuned for penetrating blood vessels and measuring biological characteristics. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specialized function without interference from other tissue reflections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using different light wavelengths and emission patterns for different measurement purposes. The second light-emitting element uses specific wavelengths that are preferentially absorbed by blood vessels, creating localized measurement conditions that enhance blood vessel signal while suppressing signals from surrounding tissues with different optical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If body detection is performed before measurement, then measurement reliability is improved, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracy when body is presentVSAvoidtime for body detection and measurement setup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary body detection using the first light-emitting element before initiating the actual biological characteristic measurement with the second light-emitting element. This preliminary action ensures that measurement only proceeds when a body is detected, improving reliability by preventing erroneous measurements on surfaces or objects. The controller is configured to switch to the second element only after confirming body presence, thereby ensuring measurement validity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables precise measurement of blood flow rate and percutaneous oxygen saturation by effectively distinguishing between light reflections from moving blood cells and stationary tissues, and automatically detects the presence of a body for accurate biological data collection.

Implementation Method 1

Upon detection of the presence of a body by light emitted from the first light-emitting element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

calculate blood flow rate and oxygen saturation based on spectral distribution and light absorption variations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

using Doppler shift and speckle patterns to analyze light intensity changes over time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler shift: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11534088B2Optical measuring apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An optical measuring apparatus includes first and second light-emitting elements that emit light and a controller. Upon detection of the presence of a body by light emitted from the first light-emitting element, the controller performs control so that the second light-emitting element will emit light with an amount for measuring the body.