Optical Measurement Probe Contact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical measurement systems for living tissue face challenges in accurately determining contact state between the measurement probe and the tissue, leading to unreliable measurement results due to variations in contact quality.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a measurement probe with a detection portion featuring a contact part on its side portion, which includes conductive elements that detect changes in electrical current values to determine whether the probe is ideally or non-ideally contacted with the tissue, using multiple light receiving fibers and a rod lens to maintain consistent distance and detect scattered light, and optional thermocouples for temperature-based detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the measurement probe is inserted into the subject without contact state detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to unreliable contact state determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact state detection methods with electrical conductivity detection. The detection portion uses electrical current flow through the measuring object to determine contact state, substituting complex mechanical sensors with simpler electrical measurement that provides more reliable measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement probe integrates multiple functions: illumination fiber for light delivery, light receiving fibers for scattered light detection, rod lens for optical focusing, and detection portion for contact state monitoring. This multi-functional integration achieves precise measurement while managing device complexity through unified probe design.
2Measurement precision
If the side portion of the measurement probe is covered with measuring object, then the contact quality improves for accurate measurement, but the loss of light increases due to obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the detection portion on the side portion of the probe rather than at the distal end. This spatial arrangement allows the detection portion to monitor contact state through the subject's wall while the optical fibers maintain their measurement function, effectively using a different spatial dimension to resolve the conflict between contact quality and light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection portion acts as an intermediary that detects contact state through electrical conductivity changes when the side portion contacts the subject. This intermediary detection method allows the system to determine contact quality without the measuring object covering or obstructing the optical measurement path.
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 approach allows for reliable detection of contact states, ensuring accurate measurement results by distinguishing between ideal and non-ideal contact conditions, thereby enhancing the reliability of tissue characterization measurements.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination fiber configured to propagate light to irradiate a measuring object
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving fiber configured to receive scattered light returned from the measuring object
Implementation Method 3
the detection portion having a contact part provided on a part of a side portion of the measurement probe... configured to be in contact with measuring object
Implementation Method 4
using multiple light receiving fibers and a rod lens to maintain consistent distance and detect scattered light
Implementation Method 5
optional thermocouples for temperature-based detection
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement probe includes: a plurality of optical fibers including an illumination fiber configured to propagate light to irradiate a measuring object and including a light receiving fiber configured to receive scattered light retuned from the measuring object; and a detection portion configured to detect contact with the measuring object, the detection portion having a contact part provided on a part of a side portion of the measurement probe, the side portion forming a surface along a longitudinal direction of the measurement probe, the contact part being configured to be in contact with measuring object.