Probe Holder for Stable fNIRS Measurement on Curved Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing probe holders for fNIRS measurements require numerous fasteners and lack precise positional adjustment between light-receiving portions, especially on curved surfaces, leading to instability and inaccurate attachment.
Innovation Solution
A probe holder design featuring basic units that hold three probes each, linked by couplers to form a stable three-point support structure, allowing for adjustable and rigid attachment to curved surfaces using equidistant and angled connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a probe holder uses a structure with as many fasteners as there are probes, then each probe can be securely fixed, but the device complexity and number of components increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fasteners are merged into a single fastener that secures the entire probe holder to the headband. The probe holder integrates multiple probe mounting positions into one unified structure, allowing all probes to be fixed simultaneously with one fastening operation rather than requiring individual fasteners for each probe.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe holder is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple probes of different types (light-emitting and light-receiving probes) at various positions. A single fastener system serves the function of securing the entire array of probes, making the fastening mechanism multi-functional rather than requiring separate fasteners for each probe type or position.
2Adaptability or versatility
If measuring sub-units are connected by freely curving flexible substrates, then adaptability to curved surfaces is improved, but manufacturing precision and positional accuracy between components deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The probe holder incorporates a curved surface design that matches the contour of the head, allowing it to conform to the head's shape while maintaining structural rigidity. The curvature is pre-formed in the probe holder structure itself rather than relying on flexible substrates to achieve the curved shape, thus preserving manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe holder is divided into multiple basic units, each holding three probes. This segmentation allows the structure to adapt to curved surfaces through modular arrangement while maintaining precise positional relationships within each unit. The segmented design enables the overall structure to flexibly conform to the head shape without compromising the positional accuracy of individual probes.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple basic units are used to hold probes, then the structure can cover a wider area and accommodate more probes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple basic units and couplers are merged into an integrated probe holder structure. The couplers serve dual functions of connecting basic units together and providing fastening points, reducing the need for separate components. The entire assembly acts as a unified structure rather than a collection of independent parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The couplers are designed as multi-functional components that perform both structural connection (linking basic units) and fastening (providing attachment points for the single fastener). This universal design reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining the ability to cover a wide area with multiple probes.
Data Source
AI summary
The problem is to provide a probe holder for fixing, using a simple configuration, a plurality of probes in a state in which the positional relationships of the probes are defined. To solve the problem, provided is a probe holder for holding probes for emitting or detecting light and attaching the probes to the head of a subject, the probe holder including: a plurality of basic units each holding three of the probes with a single plate; and a plurality of couplers each linking a respective one of the three of the probes and adjacent probes to form a plurality of adjacent probes that are linked at a point equidistant from the plurality of adjacent probes, each probe in the plurality of adjacent probes being included in a different one of the plurality of basic units.