Integrated Optical Sensor for Simultaneous Blood Flow and Oxygen Saturation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulse oximeters and blood flow measuring apparatuses are limited in their ability to simultaneously measure oxygen saturation and blood flow, which hampers accurate assessment of altitude sickness likelihood.
Innovation Solution
A measuring apparatus comprising a first light source emitting red light, a second light source emitting near-infrared laser light, and multiple optical detectors to receive scattered and transmitted light, allowing for simultaneous measurement of oxygen saturation and blood flow based on the ratio of oxyhemoglobin to reduced hemoglobin, and utilizing Doppler shift for blood flow calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate pulse oximeter and blood flow measuring apparatuses are used, then measurement precision for oxygen saturation and blood flow is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a pulse oximeter and blood flow measuring apparatus into a single integrated device. The pulse oximeter unit measures oxygen saturation using red and infrared light, while the blood flow measuring unit uses laser light to detect blood flow velocity through Doppler shift. By merging these functions into one apparatus with a unified housing and coordinated optical detection system, the invention achieves simultaneous measurement of both parameters without requiring separate devices, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated measuring apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: oxygen saturation measurement, blood flow measurement, and altitude sickness assessment. The apparatus uses multiple light sources (red LED, infrared LED, laser) and optical detectors to simultaneously acquire data for different measurement types. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require separate specialized apparatuses, reducing device complexity while preserving the measurement precision needed for comprehensive health monitoring.
2Productivity
If multiple light sources and optical detectors are used for simultaneous measurement, then productivity of measurement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous simultaneous measurement of oxygen saturation and blood flow using multiple light sources that operate concurrently. The red LED, infrared LED, and laser light sources emit light continuously through the sensor unit, and the optical detectors continuously capture the reflected and transmitted light signals. This continuous multi-parameter acquisition enables simultaneous measurement without interruption, significantly improving measurement productivity and allowing real-time monitoring for altitude sickness assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection system is segmented into multiple independent detection channels: a first optical detector for red light, a second optical detector for infrared light, and a third optical detector for laser light. Each detector independently processes its specific wavelength signal, allowing parallel measurement of different physiological parameters. This segmentation enables the system to handle multiple measurement tasks simultaneously without signal interference, improving productivity while keeping the complexity of individual detection channels manageable.
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 more accurate estimation of altitude sickness likelihood by concurrently measuring oxygen saturation and blood flow, improving usability and reducing the apparatus's size compared to separate devices.
Implementation Method 1
The first optical detector receives scattered light of laser light of the second wavelength from a measured part
Implementation Method 2
The second optical detector receives transmitted light of the first wavelength from the measured part
Implementation Method 3
The third optical detector receives transmitted laser light of the second wavelength from the measured part
Implementation Method 4
utilizing Doppler shift for blood flow calculation
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring apparatus includes a first light source for emitting light of a first wavelength, a second light source for emitting laser light of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, a first optical detector for receiving scattered laser light of the second wavelength from a measured part, a second optical detector for receiving transmitted light of the first wavelength from the measured part, a third optical detector for receiving transmitted laser light of the second wavelength from the measured part, and a controller configured to measure a blood flow amount based on an output of the first optical detector and an oxygen saturation based on outputs of the second optical detector and the third optical detector.