Opto-electronic Biopotential Controller for Phantom Signal Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bio-phantoms face interference issues due to electrode wiring, leading to signal quality degradation and crosstalk, which affects accurate signal evaluation and simulation of brain bio-signals, particularly in magnetoencephalography (MEG).
Innovation Solution
A biopotential control system utilizing optical fibers and photoreceivers within a biological phantom to simulate brain bio-signals, where optical signal generators and modulators emit light to excite optodes, generating electrical signals that can be detected by EEG, ECG, EMG, or MEG sensors, with a controller managing parameters to mimic specific brain activities and calibrate for channel variability and defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical electrodes and wiring are used to simulate biopotentials in the phantom, then the system can generate electrical signals, but crosstalk and interference occur that degrade signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical wiring system with an optical fiber system. Optical fibers transmit light signals instead of electrical signals, eliminating electrical crosstalk and interference between channels. The photoreceivers convert optical signals to electrical signals at the phantom, achieving the same biopotential simulation function without the harmful electrical interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium between the external control system and the phantom electrodes. This intermediary converts electrical control signals to optical signals for transmission, then back to electrical signals at the phantom, isolating the phantom from external electrical interference and preventing crosstalk.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are placed in the phantom with wiring, then various biopotentials can be simulated, but the complexity of wiring increases and signal evaluation accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical wiring with optical fiber connections. Optical fibers are thinner, more flexible, and easier to route than electrical wires, reducing the complexity of connecting multiple electrodes while maintaining the ability to simulate various biopotentials independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber system serves multiple functions: it transmits control signals to multiple photoreceivers, enables independent control of each electrode, and eliminates the need for separate electrical wiring for each channel, providing a universal solution for multi-electrode configurations.
3Measurement precision
If traditional electrical wiring is used in the phantom, then signal detection is possible, but interference prevents accurate signal evaluation particularly in MEG
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission through fibers. Since optical signals are not affected by electrical interference, the measurement precision for sensitive applications like MEG is dramatically improved while eliminating the harmful electrical interference that plagued traditional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber acts as an intermediary that isolates the sensitive MEG measurements from electrical interference sources. By converting signals to optical form for transmission and only converting back at the phantom, the system protects the measurement process from electrical noise and interference.
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 system minimizes crosstalk and interference, enabling repeatable and robust simulation of brain bio-signals with high fidelity, suitable for medical and non-medical applications, including brain control interfaces and diagnostics, while avoiding signal degradation and allowing for precise calibration and defect identification.
Implementation Method 1
The end of each fiber is coupled to a photoreceiver. Each photoreceiver can be operated in a photovoltaic mode to produce a photoelectric effect, with the resulting electrical signals capable of being detected by, e.g., an electroencephalograph (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG) or MEG sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology provides a system and method for simulating and detecting bio signals such as brain bio-signals. Optical fibers provide modulated signals received from an optical signal modulator. The modulated signals are received by a set of emission elements disposed within the phantom body, which output corresponding electrical signals. The electrical signals are detected by a set of sensors and evaluated by a receiver device, such as for an electroencephalograph (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG) or magnetoencephalography (MEG) diagnostic system. A controller manages the modulation of light signals so that specific electrical signals can be generated as desired. Because tens, hundreds or thousands of emission elements may be arranged in the phantom body, the controller can manage operation of the optical signal modulator so that the precise physical location of each emission element can be mapped quickly and efficiently. The controller may also detect defective components in a similar manner.