Standoff Optical Sensing for Contamination-Free Pathogen Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying harmful bacteria and pathogens require close contact with samples, which can lead to contamination and are resource-intensive, and lack efficient standoff sensing capabilities for diverse environmental monitoring applications.
Innovation Solution
An optical system utilizing a telescope, detector, and controller to analyze optical signatures of molecular species at a distance, employing a pulsed laser, high-speed ADC, and machine learning for rapid identification without contamination, enabling high-resolution imaging and classification of pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If close contact sampling methods are used to identify bacteria and pathogens, then identification accuracy is improved, but contamination risk and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical signals as an intermediary medium to study bacteria and pathogens remotely. The system uses laser illumination to generate optical signals from samples, which are then detected and analyzed without direct contact. This intermediary optical field enables identification while maintaining physical separation, thus eliminating contamination risk while preserving identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sampling and analysis methods with an optical field-based system. Instead of physically handling samples with microscopes or lab equipment, the system uses laser illumination, optical detection, and digital signal processing to identify pathogens. This substitution eliminates the need for close contact while maintaining diagnostic capability.
2Measurement precision
If close contact sampling methods are used to identify bacteria and pathogens, then identification accuracy is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces resource-intensive mechanical and chemical analysis methods with optical field-based detection. The system uses laser illumination and optical signal detection to identify pathogens, eliminating the need for consumable reagents, physical sample handling, and complex laboratory equipment. This substitution maintains identification accuracy while dramatically reducing resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables samples to self-reveal their characteristics through optical interactions. When illuminated by the laser, samples naturally generate optical signals (scattering, absorption, fluorescence) that contain identification information. The system merely needs to detect and analyze these self-generated signals, eliminating the need for external reagents or complex processing resources.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If standoff sensing capabilities are implemented for environmental monitoring, then contamination-free detection is achieved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pulsed laser illumination at specific repetition rates to generate periodic optical signals from the sample. By synchronizing the detection system with these periodic pulses and using techniques like time-correlated single photon counting, the system achieves high signal-to-noise ratios even at standoff distances. This periodic action enables precise measurement while maintaining physical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from spatial proximity-based detection to temporal signal analysis. Instead of relying on close physical distance, the system uses time-resolved detection of optical signals, analyzing the temporal characteristics of light scattering and fluorescence. This dimensional shift from space to time enables precise standoff measurement.
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 rapid, contamination-free identification of molecular species and pathogens at standoff distances, supporting health crisis response and diverse environmental monitoring applications with high-resolution imaging and precise localization.
Implementation Method 1
instructing a laser to generate laser pulses
Implementation Method 2
an optical subsystem having a telescope configured to receive a signal corresponding to a sample
Implementation Method 3
acquiring pulses on an analog to digital converter until a total pulse or per pixel amount is reached
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system for sensing molecular species may include an optical subsystem having a telescope configured to receive a signal corresponding to a sample, an electronics subsystem configured to sample and filter the signal, and a controller configured to analyze the signal for characteristics corresponding to a molecular species.