Reflectance Oximeter Probe for Non-Pulsing Tissue Oxygen Saturation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oximeters face challenges in improving measurement accuracy, reducing measurement time, lowering cost, and reducing size and power consumption, particularly in non-ideal conditions such as during surgery where rapid and accurate oxygen saturation measurements are critical for assessing tissue viability.
Innovation Solution
An oximeter probe utilizes a large number of simulated reflectance curves to determine tissue oxygen saturation without requiring a pulse, using a handheld device with multiple light sources and detectors to measure optical properties, allowing for quick and accurate oxygen saturation measurements, including relative changes over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If existing oximeters are used for rapid tissue oxygen saturation measurements during surgery, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates under non-ideal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores a comprehensive database of simulated reflectance curves representing various tissue optical properties and oxygen saturation levels. During measurement, the system quickly compares actual tissue reflectance data against this pre-prepared database to determine oxygen saturation, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations while maintaining accuracy under non-ideal surgical conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of tissue optical properties by measuring reflectance and matching it against simulated reflectance curves from a database. This copying approach allows rapid comparison and identification of oxygen saturation levels without requiring complex physical measurements or prolonged observation periods, thus achieving both speed and accuracy
2Measurement precision
If a large number of simulated reflectance curves are used to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the computationally intensive task of generating and storing simulated reflectance curves from the real-time measurement process and places it in a pre-computed database. The actual measurement device only needs to perform simple comparisons against this database, significantly reducing the computational complexity and hardware requirements of the oximeter while maintaining high measurement accuracy through the use of multiple simulated curves
3Measurement precision
If pulse oximetry is used to measure oxygen saturation, then measurement accuracy is improved for vascular tissue, but the device cannot measure oxygen saturation in non-pulsing tissue such as flaps
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses reflectance-based oximetry that works on all tissue types regardless of pulsation, making the device universal for both pulsing and non-pulsing tissue. By measuring the absolute oxygen saturation through reflectance comparison with simulated curves rather than relying on pulse detection, the system can accurately measure oxygen saturation in flaps, skin grafts, and other non-pulsing tissue while maintaining compatibility with traditional pulse oximetry applications
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 oximeter probe provides rapid, accurate, and cost-effective oxygen saturation measurements, enabling effective monitoring of tissue health and response to administered medications, suitable for both pulse and non-pulse conditions.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting first light at a first time from a source structure of the oximeter probe into the target tissue; detecting first reflected light that is reflected from the target tissue by a plurality of detector structures of the oximeter probe
Implementation Method 2
Light absorption differs significantly for oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobins at certain wavelengths of light. Tissue oximeters can measure oxygen levels in human tissue by exploiting these light-absorption differences
Data Source
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AI summary
An oximeter probe is user configurable for being in an absolute reporting mode and a relative reporting mode for measured values. The measured values for the absolute and relative modes include absolute oxygen saturation, relative oxygen saturation, absolute hemoglobin content, relative hemoglobin content, absolute blood volume, relative blood volume. The relative modes and absolute modes for determining and reporting relative or absolute hemoglobin content or relative or absolute blood volume for individual patients are beneficial when determining the efficacy of administered medications, such as epinephrine, that effect blood flow, but not oxygen saturation, in tissue, such as skin. The oximeter probe in these relative modes displays the efficacy of the administered medication as reported values for relative hemoglobin content or relative blood volume fall or rise.