Optical Skin Diagnostics Using Multispectral Signatures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current clinical techniques lack the ability to accurately determine the presence, abundance, and location of infecting microbes and resulting host inflammatory responses in wounds, leading to challenges in wound healing and infection management.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical signatures based on multispectral analysis with a broad-spectrum imaging sensor and low-cost optical filtering techniques to scan a wound sample with various optical excitation light wavelength bands, capturing excitation response wavelengths and generating an output signature indicative of the wound's composition, which can include markers for infection, inflammation, and healing progress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sophisticated laboratory equipment such as SEM, TEM, or XRD is used to characterize and identify materials, then measurement precision and material characterization capability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and laboratory-based material characterization systems (SEM, TEM, XRD) with an optical-based system that uses light interaction to identify materials. The optical system measures reflectance, absorption, and fluorescence properties to generate spectral signatures, substituting mechanical/electronic complex equipment with optical measurement techniques that are simpler and more portable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from complex structural and compositional analysis to optical property measurement. By measuring how materials interact with light across different wavelengths (reflectance, absorption, fluorescence), the system identifies materials through their optical spectral signatures rather than through complex laboratory analysis.
2Measurement precision
If complex laboratory equipment is used for material analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces stationary laboratory equipment with a portable optical system that can be operated outside the laboratory. The device uses light sources and sensors to measure optical properties of materials in field conditions, making material identification accessible without requiring laboratory infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical spectral signatures that serve as unique identifiers for materials, similar to how fingerprints identify individuals. These optical copies or representations of material properties can be stored and compared, enabling identification without needing the original complex laboratory equipment.
3Measurement precision
If broad-spectrum imaging sensors and optical filtering techniques are used for skin diagnostics, then measurement precision for detecting optical spectral characteristics is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broad spectrum of light into multiple wavelength bands using optical filters. By dividing the spectral range into discrete bands (e.g., blue, green, red, infrared), the system measures optical properties at specific wavelengths separately, improving precision while managing complexity through modular filter design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single broad-spectrum imaging sensor that can detect multiple wavelength bands, making the device multi-functional. The same sensor processes information across different parts of the spectrum by combining it with optical filters, reducing the need for multiple specialized sensors and thereby managing device complexity.
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, portable, and cost-effective skin diagnostics for wound care, providing real-time data for wound healing trajectory and treatment planning, including infection detection and management.
Implementation Method 1
A light source excites electrons in molecules of a compound and causes the electrons to emit light, or fluoresce
Implementation Method 2
Materials reflect and absorb light differently at different wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
Materials reflect and absorb light differently at different wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed techniques include skin diagnostics using optical signatures. A plurality of optical excitation light wavelength bands is scanned on a material sample, wherein the material sample exhibits optical spectral characteristics along the light wavelength spectrum. Excitation response wavelengths emitted by the material sample are captured in response to the plurality of optical excitation light wavelength bands, wherein the capturing is accomplished using an imaging sensor. Output values of a plurality of pixels of an image from the imaging sensor are measured, wherein the image represents excitation response wavelengths captured by the imaging sensor, wherein the measuring detects optical spectral characteristics of the material sample, and wherein the optical spectral characteristics are in response to the plurality of optical excitation light wavelength bands. An output signature indicative of composition of the material sample is generated, wherein the output signature is based on interpreting the output values that were measured.