Optical Sensor Path Selection for Cerebral Oximetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technology for determining cerebral oximetry is inadequate for accurately diagnosing medical conditions or monitoring patient health due to inefficiencies in measuring blood oxygenation in the brain.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optical sensor system with specific emitter and detector configurations, including a long path dimension and a short path dimension, to effectively traverse tissue layers and provide accurate measurements of blood oxygen saturation in the brain, utilizing a processor to analyze data and provide a visible display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single optical path is used for cerebral oximetry measurement, then the measurement process is simple, but the accuracy is insufficient due to inability to distinguish between surface tissue layers and cerebral cortex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical measurement into two distinct paths: a first optical path that traverses through the cerebral cortex (region of interest) and a second optical path that traverses through surface tissue layers (exclusion region). By segmenting the measurement into these two separate paths with different detector placements, the system can distinguish between signals originating from the brain versus surface tissues, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring invasive procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step where optical signals from both paths are combined and processed to isolate the cerebral cortex signal. The processor uses the differential information from the two paths to eliminate surface tissue interference, acting as an intermediary that transforms the raw optical data into accurate cerebral oximetry measurements
2Measurement precision
If the optical path traverses deep into the tissue to reach the cerebral cortex, then the region of interest is measured, but surface tissue layers interfere with the measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement is segmented into two distinct optical paths: one that captures signals from both the cerebral cortex and surface tissues, and another that captures only surface tissue signals. By separating these measurements spatially through different detector placements, the system can later subtract the surface interference component from the total signal to isolate the cerebral cortex contribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful surface tissue interference into a useful measurement component. By placing detectors to capture both the desired cerebral signal and the unwanted surface signal separately, the system transforms the interference into additional information that, when processed differentially, enhances the accuracy of cerebral oximetry by enabling explicit subtraction of the surface contribution
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 solution enables non-invasive, precise monitoring of cerebral oximetry by distinguishing between surface tissue layers and the cerebral cortex, providing reliable measurements of blood oxygen saturation and improving diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The first emitter and the first detector are coupled by a short path that traverses a surface layer of the tissue as well as an exclusion region within the tissue
Implementation Method 2
The first emitter is also coupled to a second detector by a long path that traverses the surface layers of the tissue as well as a region of interest at a particular depth within the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a sensor for measuring a parameter for tissue. The sensor includes a plurality of optical elements including a plurality of detectors and at least one emitter. Separation distances between the various optical elements are selected based on a depth corresponding to a region of interest in the tissue and based on a depth corresponding to an exclusion region in the tissue.