Pulse Photometry Probe Air Layer Heat Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulse oximetry probes often concentrate heat generated by emitting elements on living tissue, causing discomfort and potentially leading to burns due to the need for high-power light emission for accurate vital sign measurement.
Innovation Solution
A pulse photometry probe design featuring a holding member with a spacer creating an air layer between the emitting element and the contact face, along with a heat radiation layer and transparent member, disperses heat efficiently and prevents concentration on the tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an emitting element that can emit high power light is mounted in the probe to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but heat generated from the emitting element is concentrated in the living tissue causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the emitting element and the living tissue. This reflective layer has a specific refractive index that is higher than that of the emitting element, creating an optical interface that reflects light back into the tissue while managing heat distribution. The reflective layer acts as a mediator that separates the light emission function from direct thermal contact with the tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive index parameter of the reflective layer is specifically selected to be higher than that of the emitting element. This parameter change creates optimal optical conditions for light reflection and transmission while simultaneously affecting thermal management. By controlling the refractive index parameter, the system achieves both improved light interaction with tissue and reduced heat concentration.
2Measurement precision
If high power light emission is used to obtain accurate vital sign information from thick living tissue, then measurement precision is improved, but the patient feels discomfort due to heat concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective layer serves as a mediator between the high-power emitting element and the patient's skin. It manages the interaction between light and tissue by reflecting appropriate wavelengths back into the tissue for measurement while controlling thermal energy transfer, thereby maintaining patient comfort during high-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective layer converts potentially harmful concentrated heat into a beneficial distributed thermal pattern. By manipulating light reflection and transmission, it disperses thermal energy across a broader area of tissue, transforming the harmful concentration effect into a beneficial distributed heating pattern that maintains comfort while preserving measurement accuracy.
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 design effectively prevents heat from being concentrated on the patient's tissue, reducing discomfort and improving the accuracy of vital sign measurements by dispersing heat and ensuring only parallel light enters the detector.
Implementation Method 1
an air layer defined by the opening is disposed between an emitting face of the emitter and the contact face
Data Source
AI summary
A pulse photometry probe includes a holding member that includes a contact face which is to be in contact with living tissue of a patient, an emitter that is placed in the holding member, a detector that is placed in the holding member and detects light emitted from the emitter, and, a spacer that is disposed between the contact face and the emitter and has an opening, wherein an air layer defined by the opening is disposed between an emitting face of the emitter and the contact face.