Sclera Illumination Optical Sensor for Noninvasive Bilirubin Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current noninvasive methods for jaundice diagnosis, such as transcutaneous jaundice meters, are inaccurate due to skin pigmentation and adipose tissue, which affect the measurement of bilirubin levels in the blood.
Innovation Solution
A noninvasive optical sensor device that illuminates the sclera to analyze bilirubin levels using a light source, detector, and processor, which computes a ratio of received light intensity to a reference value, providing more accurate measurements unaffected by skin pigmentation and adipose tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If transcutaneous jaundice meters are used to measure bilirubin levels noninvasively, then the need for invasive blood tests is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to skin pigmentation and adipose tissue interference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement site from the skin to the sclera (eye white). By selecting the sclera as the measurement location instead of the skin, the device eliminates interference from skin pigmentation and adipose tissue while maintaining noninvasive measurement capabilities. The sclera provides a clear optical window to the choroid layer where blood vessels are visible, enabling accurate bilirubin level detection without the confounding factors present in skin measurements.
2Reliability
If skin color analysis is used for jaundice detection, then noninvasive measurement is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to varying skin pigmentation among subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by selecting a specific anatomical location (sclera) with unique optical properties that are independent of skin pigmentation. The sclera's translucent nature allows light to penetrate and interact with the underlying choroid layer and blood vessels, creating a measurement signal that reflects bilirubin levels without being influenced by the overlying skin's melanin content. This localized measurement approach ensures consistent reliability across subjects with varying skin types.
3Measurement precision
If reflection photometry on the forehead is used for bilirubin measurement, then noninvasive assessment is possible, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to adipose tissue under the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the sclera as an intermediary medium that provides optimal optical properties for bilirubin detection. The sclera acts as a natural optical window that allows light to reach the choroid layer and blood vessels without the interfering adipose tissue present in skin measurements. This intermediary structure enables direct optical access to the blood-containing tissues, improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device requirements.
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
Enables accurate and early detection of jaundice in both adults and animals by minimizing the impact of skin pigmentation and adipose tissue, offering a more reliable method for assessing bilirubin levels without the need for invasive blood tests.
Implementation Method 1
The received light may include reflected light, or scattered light, or fluorescent light, or a mixture thereof from the sclera or from inside the eye proximal to the illuminated region of the sclera
Implementation Method 2
The received light may include reflected light, or scattered light, or fluorescent light, or a mixture thereof from the sclera or from inside the eye proximal to the illuminated region of the sclera
Implementation Method 3
The received light may include light emitted by fluorescence from tissue or fluorescent chemical entities excited by the incident light from the sclera or from inside the eye proximal to the illuminated region of the sclera
Data Source
AI summary
A noninvasive optical sensor for analyzing a level of a substance in a subject by illuminating a sclera may include at least one light source, at least one detector, and a processor. The at least one light source may direct incident light to illuminate a region of the sclera of an eye of the subject. The at least one detector may receive light, in response to the incident light, from the sclera or from inside the eye proximal to the illuminated region of the sclera. The processor may be configured to compute a ratio of an intensity of the received light from the at least one detector to a reference value and to estimate a level of a substance in the subject from the computed ratio.