Probe Device with Segmented Electronic Boards for Blood Dynamic Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biological light measuring devices face challenges with heat generation from control boards, weight balance, and installation properties, which affect precision and user comfort due to obstructed freedom of movement and insecurity for test subjects.

Innovation Solution

A probe device with a sheet-like probe holding body, alternately arranged light emitting and detection probes, a board holding portion for electronic boards, and a flexible sheet holding portion that provides good weight balance, easy installation, and minimizes heat impact, while allowing for rotational adjustment of probes to accommodate different head shapes and reduce hair obstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If electronic control boards are integrated into the probe device, then measurement control capability is improved, but heat generation affects measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement control capabilityVSAvoidheat generation affecting measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: electronic control boards are separated from the probe head and integrated into the main body housing. This segmentation allows the probe head to remain lightweight and cool while the electronic components are isolated in a separate compartment, eliminating heat interference with measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible cable system acts as an intermediary connection between the probe head and the electronic control boards in the main body. This allows electrical signals to be transmitted while physically separating the heat-generating electronic components from the sensitive measurement area, serving as a thermal barrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple fibers are attached around the head portion, then light transmission and detection are improved, but freedom of behavior is obstructed and sense of insecurity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmission and detection capabilityVSAvoidfreedom of behavior and user comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple optical fibers are bundled together into a single integrated cable that connects the probe head to the main body. This merging reduces the number of separate fiber attachments around the user's head, minimizing obstruction of movement and reducing the sense of insecurity while maintaining full light transmission and detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If probe device is firmly pressed to head portion using fixing belt, then installation stability is improved, but weight balance and installing property are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation stabilityVSAvoidweight balance and installing property
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The probe head is designed with a curved, ergonomic shape that conforms to the natural curvature of the human head. This curved design allows the device to fit comfortably against the head surface without requiring strong compression from fixing belts, improving both stability and weight balance while maintaining ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 enables high-precision measurements without heat interference, improved weight balance, and enhanced user comfort by allowing flexible adjustment and secure fitting to the head, reducing the sense of insecurity and freedom of movement constraints for test subjects.

Implementation Method 1

irradiate the near infrared ray transmitted via each of optical fibers toward a subcutaneous of the head portion via a light emitting probe main body, receive a reflected light by a light receiving probe main body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear infrared light transmission and reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2106745B1Probe device for measuring a local blood dynamic change
Publication Date: 2014.01.15 HITACHI LTD
  • EP2106745B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2106745B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2106745B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a probe for measuring the local dynamics of blood which improves a test precision and is easily installed to a test subject. In a probe device including a light irradiating portion, and a light detecting portion, the probe device is provided with a sheet-like probe holding body (200), light emitting probes (300) and detection probes (400) which are attached to the probe holding body (200) at a predetermined interval. The device further comprises a board holding portion (241) attached to the probe holding body (200), an electronic board (1000) attached to the board holding portion (241), a sheet holding portion (500) holding the probe holding body (200) at the head of the test subject, and a fixing band (600). The electronic board (1000) is provided with probe control boards (243) controlling respective motions of the light emitting probes (300) and the detection probes (400), and a main control board (242) controlling the probe control boards (243) and communicating with the other devices.