Non-invasive Optical Monitoring via Dynamic Speckle Pattern Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for non-invasive monitoring of biological and biochemical parameters, such as blood glucose, blood alcohol, and intraocular pressure, face limitations in accuracy and practicality, particularly for continuous monitoring and detecting peaks in intraocular pressure variations.
Innovation Solution
A novel optical technique that analyzes image data from defocused speckle pattern responses over time to determine biological or biochemical conditions by correlating motion effects with spatial correlation functions, using coherent illumination and a system with a control unit to process image data and apply predetermined models for parameter determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive procedures are used to obtain accurate measurements of biological parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive measurement systems with an optical system that uses coherent light to generate and analyze speckle patterns. The system illuminates the target area with coherent light and captures the scattered speckle patterns using an imaging device, eliminating the need for invasive procedures while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces speckle patterns as an intermediary medium between the light source and the biological tissue. The speckle patterns serve as a mediator that carries information about the biological parameters (such as glucose concentration, blood flow, or tissue properties) without requiring direct contact or invasion of the tissue
2Ease of operation
If non-invasive optical techniques are used for monitoring, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to limitations in detecting subtle biological changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the dynamic nature of speckle patterns that change over time due to physiological movements and tissue properties. By analyzing the temporal variations and spatial correlations of these speckle patterns, the system can detect subtle biological changes with high precision while maintaining non-invasive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing of the speckle pattern data by calculating spatial correlation functions before final parameter extraction. This preliminary analysis enhances the signal-to-noise ratio and improves the precision of subsequent measurements by pre-processing the raw optical data
3Ease of operation
If contactless optical monitoring is implemented, then ease of operation and patient comfort are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in detecting subtle physiological changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates optical copies (speckle patterns) of the biological tissue properties through coherent light scattering. These speckle pattern copies contain encoded information about the underlying tissue characteristics and can be analyzed without direct contact, preserving both ease of operation and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary spatial correlation analysis on the captured speckle patterns to enhance the detectability of subtle physiological changes. By pre-processing the optical data to extract correlation information, the system maintains high measurement precision while operating in a completely contactless manner
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 non-invasive, contactless monitoring of various parameters, including blood glucose, blood alcohol, and intraocular pressure, with high accuracy and the ability to detect changes and peaks over time, improving upon existing methods by providing continuous and reliable data without the need for invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
analyzing image data corresponding to defocused images of secondary speckle pattern responses of the subject varying over time in response to coherent illumination
Implementation Method 2
using coherent illumination and a system with a control unit to process image data
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method monitoring conditions of a subject's body including a control unit receiving image data and data indicative of an external stimulation applied to the body during collection of the image data therefrom, a memory utility, and a processor utility. The image data is indicative of a sequence of speckle patterns generated by the body according to a certain sampling time pattern. The processor utility performs processing the image data utilizing the data indicative of the applied external field(s), including determining a spatial correlation function between successive speckle patterns in the sequence, and determining a time varying spatial correlation function in the form of a time-varying function of a feature of the correlation function indicative of a change of the speckle pattern over time; selecting a parameter of the time-varying spatial correlation function, and applying a model to the parameter to determine a corresponding body condition; and generating output data indicative of the corresponding body condition.