Photonic Waveguide Resonator for Acoustical Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustical pressure sensors face challenges in medical applications, particularly in catheter-based and imaging procedures, due to complexity in parallel readout of multiple opto-mechanical sensors, requiring improved sensitivity and simplified signal processing for effective detection of ultrasonic pressure waves.
Innovation Solution
A sensor structure comprising an optical waveguide closed-loop resonator and multiple sensor elements, where the resonator's resonance frequency is shifted by acoustical pressure waves, allowing for photonic summing of signals from multiple elements with a single optical waveguide, reducing the need for individual waveguides and enhancing sensitivity and mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple individual opto-mechanical sensors are used for detecting acoustical pressure waves, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for parallel readout of multiple sensors
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor elements are integrated onto a single membrane and share a common optical waveguide closed-loop resonator. The resonator is arranged to be associated with all sensor elements simultaneously, allowing parallel detection of acoustical pressure waves across multiple sensing points while using a unified optical readout path, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide closed-loop resonator serves multiple functions: it acts as the sensing element for each individual sensor element on the membrane, provides the optical resonance mechanism for detection, and enables wavelength division multiplexing for parallel readout of multiple sensors through a single optical channel, thereby eliminating the need for separate readout circuits for each sensor
2Device complexity
If a single optical waveguide is shared among multiple sensor elements, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to signal summation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide closed-loop resonator acts as an intermediary that couples the mechanical deformation of multiple sensor elements to optical signals. Each sensor element's deformation modulates the resonator's resonance frequency, and the resonator translates these mechanical inputs into distinct optical wavelength shifts that can be resolved individually through wavelength division multiplexing, preserving measurement precision while enabling shared waveguide configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes changes in the resonance frequency parameter of the optical waveguide closed-loop resonator in response to mechanical strain from acoustical pressure waves. By monitoring shifts in resonance wavelength rather than amplitude, the system can distinguish signals from different sensor elements even when they share a common waveguide, maintaining measurement precision through parameter-based signal differentiation
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 configuration enables high sensitivity and improved acoustical characteristics, allowing for efficient detection of ultrasonic pressure waves over larger areas with reduced complexity, facilitating applications in photo-acoustic imaging and other medical imaging techniques.
Implementation Method 1
the optical waveguide closed-loop resonator is arranged at said plurality of sensor elements and associated with each of the individual sensor elements of the plurality of sensor elements such that a resonance frequency of the optical waveguide closed-loop resonator is shifted due to the affected physical properties of all individual sensor elements of the plurality of sensor elements
Implementation Method 2
Photo-acoustic imaging (also called opto-acoustic imaging) is the youngest and the most rapidly advancing modality. This hybrid technology combines rich optical contrast with ultrasonic resolution deep in brain tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a sensor structure for an acoustical pressure sensor and an opto-mechanical sensor and system that may be used for detecting acoustical pressure waves. Embodiments of a sensor structure for an acoustical pressure sensor include an optical waveguide closed-loop resonator and a plurality of sensor elements. The individual sensor elements of the plurality of sensor elements are configured to be affected by an acoustical pressure wave such that a physical property of the individual sensor element is changed. The optical waveguide closed-loop resonator is arranged at the plurality of sensor elements and associated with each of the individual sensor elements such that a resonance frequency of the optical waveguide closed-loop resonator is shifted due to the affected physical properties of all individual sensor elements. The sensor structure provides a high sensitivity from each sensor element, which is advantageous in e.g. ultrasonic imaging, such as photo-acoustic imaging where the signals typically are low.