Smart Fiber Optic Sensor for Tissue Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber optic sensors for tissue optical spectroscopy face challenges such as uncontrolled probe-to-tissue interface pressure, leading to measurement errors, and lack of real-time calibration, making them unsuitable for resource-poor settings and expensive to use, which hinders effective cancer screening in developing countries.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a smart fiber optic sensor system with a specimen sensing channel, a self-calibration channel, and an interferometric pressure sensor to provide real-time pressure readings and concurrent calibration, using LEDs and miniature spectrometers for low power consumption and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional fiber optic sensors are used for tissue optical spectroscopy, then the basic measurement function is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to uncontrolled probe-to-tissue interface pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (spectral sensing, pressure sensing, and calibration) into a single integrated fiber optic probe. The probe integrates a specimen sensing channel for spectral measurements, a pressure sensing channel with interferometric sensor, and a calibration channel, all within one device structure. This merging approach improves measurement precision by ensuring coordinated operation of all channels while maintaining a manageable device complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time pressure feedback through the interferometric pressure sensor that continuously monitors probe-to-tissue interface pressure. The system uses this feedback to maintain optimal pressure conditions during spectral measurements, thereby improving measurement precision. The calibration channel also provides feedback for real-time correction of spectral data, further enhancing accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If real-time calibration is implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration channel is integrated into the same fiber optic probe structure as the sensing channels, sharing common optical components and housing. This merging reduces the overall device complexity while enabling real-time calibration functionality that improves measurement precision through continuous reference measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration using the integrated calibration channel that contains reference materials. The calibration channel automatically corrects spectral measurements without requiring external calibration equipment or manual intervention, thereby improving precision while maintaining simple operation. The probe self-calibrates by comparing specimen spectra against reference spectra from the calibration channel.
3Measurement precision
If interferometric pressure sensor is integrated, then measurement precision improves through pressure control, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interferometric pressure sensor is integrated within the fiber optic probe structure, sharing the same housing and optical pathway as the spectral sensing channels. This merging approach enables precise pressure measurement and control while maintaining a compact, unified device structure that does not significantly increase overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure gauges or external pressure sensing systems with an interferometric optical sensor. This substitution uses optical interference patterns to measure pressure, eliminating the need for mechanical components and integrating pressure sensing directly into the optical fiber structure, thereby improving precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensing channels are integrated, then measurement precision improves through error reduction, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the specimen sensing channel, calibration channel, and pressure sensing channel into a single integrated fiber optic probe with unified housing and optical components. This merging enables multiple measurements to be taken simultaneously under identical conditions, improving precision through error reduction while maintaining manageable complexity through shared structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic probe is designed as a multi-functional device that performs spectral sensing, calibration, and pressure measurement simultaneously. This universal design allows all three functions to operate together in a coordinated manner, improving measurement precision through the complementary information from multiple channels while avoiding the complexity of separate devices through integrated architecture.
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 solution enables accurate, reproducible, and rapid tissue optical spectroscopy measurements, reducing errors and eliminating the need for extensive calibration and expensive equipment, making it suitable for low-resource settings and improving cancer screening efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an interferometric pressure sensor to provide real-time pressure readings
Implementation Method 2
a calibration channel for obtaining calibration spectral reflections usable for correcting the specimen spectral data
Implementation Method 3
a sensing channel for illuminating a specimen and for collecting spectral reflections from the specimen
Data Source
AI summary
Smart fiber optic sensors, systems, and methods for performing quantitative optical spectroscopy are disclosed. In one embodiment, smart fiber optic sensor can include a sensing channel, a calibration channel, and a pressure sensing channel. External force or pressure can be calculated at pressure sensing channel for monitoring and controlling pressure at a sensor-specimen interface thereby ensuring more accurate specimen spectral data is collected. Contact pressure can be adjusted to remain within a specified range. A calibration light of the calibration channel and an illumination light of the sensing channel can be generated simultaneously from a shared light source. Pressure sensing channel can transmit light from a second light source and collect pressure spectral data.