Patient Photosensor Light Diffuser and Baffle for Interference Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patient monitoring sensors using light are susceptible to external factors such as interfering light sources and improper positioning, which reduces their reliability in determining physiological parameters.
Innovation Solution
A patient sensor design featuring a sensor baffle with a diffuser platform and canisters that diffuse light to enhance light distribution and reduce interference, including a light diffuser with a diffuser body and arm to receive and disperse light from a light source, and photoelectric detectors positioned within the light pathways to receive reflected light from the patient's body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patient photosensor is used to monitor physiological parameters, then non-invasive monitoring is achieved, but the sensor becomes susceptible to external light sources and improper positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a light source, a diffuser, a baffle with light pathway, and a photodetector. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the diffuser for light distribution, the baffle for interference blocking, and the photodetector for signal detection - thereby improving overall reliability while addressing external light interference.
Solution Approach 2:
A baffle structure with a defined light pathway is introduced as an intermediary element between the light source and the patient's body. This baffle acts as a mediator that controls and directs light transmission while blocking external light sources from reaching the photodetector, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable measurements and preventing external light interference.
2Device complexity
If light is directed directly at the patient's body without diffusion, then the sensor structure is simpler, but light distribution is poor and positioning is sensitive
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the patient's body. This diffuser mediates the light transmission by scattering and distributing light evenly across the measurement area, which improves measurement precision and reduces sensitivity to positioning errors while adding only moderate structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser provides locally optimized light distribution properties - it scatters light in specific patterns to ensure uniform illumination across different areas of the patient's body. This local quality enhancement allows the sensor to maintain high measurement precision regardless of slight positioning variations, effectively resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and measurement accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If the sensor uses a focused light beam, then the optical path is more direct, but the sensor is more sensitive to positioning errors on the patient's body
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser acts as a mediator that transforms the focused light beam into a distributed light pattern. This intermediary component allows the optical path to remain relatively direct while simultaneously making the sensor less sensitive to positioning errors, as the scattered light reaches the photodetector through multiple paths rather than a single focused beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser introduces a dimensional transformation by scattering light in multiple directions and planes. This converts the one-dimensional focused beam into a multi-dimensional light distribution, thereby improving ease of positioning while maintaining measurement precision through the increased redundancy of light paths reaching the photodetector.
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
The solution improves the accuracy and reliability of physiological parameter detection by minimizing external light interference and ensuring proper light engagement with the patient's body, enhancing the efficiency of wearable sensors like pulse oximeters.
Implementation Method 1
a light diffuser configured for mounting to the sensor baffle. The light diffuser may include a diffuser body and a diffuser arm extending from the body for extension through the at least one light opening to receive light from a light source for diffusion through the diffuser body
Implementation Method 2
The at least one canister may extend through the diffuser receptacle to receive light reflected from a patient's body through the light pathway
Implementation Method 3
at least one photodetector arranged to receive light through the light pathway of the at least one canister
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for patient sensing include a patient sensor having a light diffuser arranged to provide a light field in which photoelectric sensors can be positioned to provide enhanced detection of physiological parameters of the patient. The light diffuser is connected with a sensor baffle to assist in avoiding interference.