Optical Sensor Body Fluid Volume Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring body fluid volume are either invasive and costly or inconvenient, such as isotope dilution, or non-invasive but cumbersome, like bioelectrical impedance, lacking a practical solution for easy, non-invasive monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor system that emits light at different wavelengths, measures the intensity of returning light, and calculates the body fluid volume based on the ratio of these intensities, integrated with a processor to estimate fluid volume and predict potential health issues like edema or hydration levels, generating alerts or recommendations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If isotope dilution method is used to measure body fluid volume, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the method becomes invasive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical isotope dilution method with an optical measurement system. The optical sensor uses light absorption characteristics at different wavelengths to non-invasively determine body fluid volume, eliminating the need for isotope injection while maintaining measurement capability through optical property analysis of tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from chemical concentration (isotope dilution) to optical properties (light absorption at different wavelengths). By measuring how tissue absorbs light at specific wavelengths related to water content, the system derives body fluid volume without invasive procedures
2Ease of operation
If bioelectrical impedance method is used to measure body fluid volume, then non-invasive measurement is achieved, but users are required to attach electrodes which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical impedance measurement system with an optical measurement system. Instead of using electrodes to pass electrical current through the body, the system uses light sources and optical sensors to measure tissue optical properties, eliminating the need for electrode attachment while maintaining non-invasive measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to transfer information about body fluid volume. Light beams pass through or reflect off tissue, and the optical sensor detects changes in light properties that correlate with water content, providing a contactless or minimal-contact measurement approach
3Ease of operation
If optical sensor with multiple wavelengths is used to measure body fluid, then non-invasive and cost-effective measurement is achieved, but measurement precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple wavelengths as different measurement parameters to extract information about body fluid volume. By measuring light absorption at several wavelengths and analyzing the spectral characteristics, the system can distinguish water content from other tissue components, maintaining precision through multi-parameter analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a processing system that analyzes the optical measurement data and provides feedback to refine the body fluid volume estimation. The processor compares measured optical properties with reference data or expected ranges, adjusting the calculation to improve accuracy and provide reliable health monitoring information
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 non-invasive, cost-effective, and user-friendly measurement of body fluid volume, allowing for real-time monitoring of hydration and potential health risks, with alerts for fluid intake or skin moisturizing needs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor configured to emit light onto an object, receive the light returning from the object, and measure a first intensity of a first wavelength and a second intensity of a second wavelength from the received light
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for measuring a body fluid includes: an optical sensor configured to emit light onto an object, receive the light returning from the object, and measure a first intensity of a first wavelength and a second intensity of a second wavelength from the received light; and a processor configured to estimate a body fluid volume of the object based on the first intensity and the second intensity.