Sensor Contact Detection via Aberrant Tissue Spectra
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical sensors, such as pulse oximeters, face challenges in maintaining accurate contact with tissue, leading to inaccurate readings due to poor contact or light shunting, which affects the quality of physiological characteristic measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that emit light at three or more wavelengths, including one not used for physiological characteristic determination, to assess sensor contact and correct for light shunting by comparing intensity to thresholds, ensuring reliable data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is used to measure physiological characteristics by transmitting light through tissue, then physiological information can be obtained, but accurate sensor contact with tissue cannot be ensured leading to poor signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of tissue contact quality before physiological measurement by analyzing the spectral characteristics of reflected light. The processor detects whether the sensor is in proper contact with the patient's tissue by examining specific spectral features, and only proceeds with physiological measurement when contact is confirmed, thereby ensuring measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism using reflected light at specific wavelengths to assess sensor-tissue contact quality. This intermediary step provides information about contact reliability without interfering with the primary physiological measurement function, allowing the system to gate whether measurements should be taken based on contact quality.
2Measurement precision
If light is transmitted through tissue for physiological measurement, then physiological characteristics can be determined, but light shunting occurs reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and analyzes the spectral information contained in reflected light at specific wavelengths to detect the presence of aberrant tissue spectra that indicate light shunting. By separating the detection of shunting conditions from the physiological measurement process, the system can identify and exclude measurements taken under conditions of light shunting, thereby preserving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the spectral characteristics of reflected light and using this information to determine whether physiological measurements should be performed. The processor analyzes the reflected light spectrum and provides feedback on whether the measurement conditions are acceptable, preventing inaccurate measurements when light shunting is detected.
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 approach enhances the reliability of sensor contact assessment and corrects for light shunting, providing accurate physiological measurements and notifications for clinician intervention to improve data quality.
Implementation Method 1
a non-invasive sensor may be utilized that transmits electromagnetic radiation, such as light, through a patient's tissue and then photo-electrically detects the absorption and scattering of the transmitted or reflected light in such tissue
Implementation Method 2
photo-electrically detects the absorption and scattering of the transmitted or reflected light
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for determining contact of a sensor with a patient's tissue. The method comprises comparing the intensity of detected light at a first wavelength to a threshold, wherein the first wavelength is not used to determine a physiological characteristic of the patient, and determining if the sensor is in contact with the patient's tissue based on the comparison. In addition, a method is provided for determining the amount of light shunting during operation of the sensor. The method comprises comparing the intensity of detected light at a first wavelength to a threshold, wherein the first wavelength is not used to determine a physiological characteristic of the patient, and determining the amount of light shunting based on the comparison.