Noninvasive tHb Index Sensor Using Segmented LED Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for detecting occult bleeding in medical settings, such as surgery and intensive care, are delayed and invasive, increasing the risk of serious injury or death and significantly increasing treatment costs.

Innovation Solution

A noninvasive total hemoglobin (tHb) index system using a disposable optical sensor with a reduced number of LEDs, which measures tHb levels and provides a dimensionless tHb index for timely patient assessment, reducing the need for lab results and minimizing invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional lab measurements are used to detect occult bleeding, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to invasive procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetHb measurement accuracyVSAvoiddetection delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical blood sampling with a noninvasive optical sensing system that uses light-emitting diodes and photodetectors to measure hemoglobin levels through tissue, eliminating needle sticks and lab processing delays while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system performs autonomous continuous monitoring of total hemoglobin levels without requiring external laboratory intervention, providing real-time measurements that automatically update patient status without manual blood draws

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If traditional invasive lab measurements are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to needle sticks and invasive procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetHb measurement accuracyVSAvoidneedle stick risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical invasive blood sampling process with a noninvasive optical measurement system that detects hemoglobin through light absorption properties of tissue, completely eliminating needles and injection-related hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses disposable adhesive sensors that are applied to the patient's skin and discarded after use, eliminating the need for repeated invasive procedures and reducing cumulative exposure to needle-related risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If high-resolution sensors are used for initial screenings, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetHb measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sensing system into two segments: a simple adhesive sensor for continuous noninvasive monitoring and a high-resolution sensor reserved for confirmatory measurements only, optimizing the balance between simplicity and precision across different operational stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by using the simplified adhesive sensor for routine continuous monitoring and reserving the more complex high-resolution sensor for specific confirmatory cases, avoiding excessive use of complex technology when simpler solutions suffice

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

The tHb index system facilitates real-time monitoring of total hemoglobin levels, enabling early detection of bleeding, reducing the risk of needle sticks, and lowering treatment costs by minimizing the use of expensive high-resolution sensors for initial screenings.

Implementation Method 1

The detector generates a signal responsive to the emitted light after attenuation by pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption/attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250107730A1Total hemoglobin screening sensor

Publication Date: 2025.04.03 MASIMO CORP

AI summary

A total hemoglobin index system derives total hemoglobin (tHb) index value utilizing a depopulated emitter with an index set of LEDs. A patient fails a tHb index test if tHb measurements are trending down and/or tHb values fall below a predefined index threshold. If a patient fails the tHb index test, a high resolution sensor derives a specific tHb measurement utilizing a high resolution set of LEDs. The number of high resolution set LEDs is greater than the number of index set LEDs.