Tissue Spectroscopy Signal Processing for Noise and Heat Limits

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Spectroscopic devices face challenges in generating high optical power for extended periods or fast repetition rates, leading to overheating and difficulties in removing confounding noise from detected light signals without introducing distortion.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a light source, detector, and processor that emits high optical power light for short durations, uses a detection circuit with components like differentiating amplifiers and peak detectors to remove noise and account for distortion, determining an adjusted peak-to-peak amplitude value representative of the signal amplitude adjusted for noise and distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If spectroscopic devices output high optical power light for extended periods or at fast repetition rates, then the optical power is maximized, but the device becomes undesirably hot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical powerVSAvoiddevice temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by operating the light source in pulsed mode rather than continuous operation. The light source emits high optical power light in short bursts at controlled repetition rates, allowing the device to accumulate sufficient optical energy for effective spectroscopic measurement while providing intervals for thermal management. This periodic operation resolves the contradiction by maximizing optical power during active periods while preventing continuous overheating through duty cycle control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Temperature

If spectroscopic devices output high optical power light for short durations, then the device remains cool, but it becomes difficult to remove confounding noise using aggressive filtering techniques

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice temperatureVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The periodic pulsed operation creates time-dependent signal characteristics that enable effective noise filtering. By operating in periodic pulses, the detection system can synchronize filtering operations with the expected signal arrival times, allowing aggressive filtering to remove confounding noise while preserving the short-duration signal. The periodic nature provides temporal structure that distinguishes signal from noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the detection system monitors the received light signals and uses this information to adjust filtering parameters and processing operations. The feedback loop enables adaptive noise rejection that accounts for the specific characteristics of short-duration high-power pulses, improving signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining the benefits of short operating durations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If aggressive filtering techniques are used to remove confounding noise from detected light signals, then noise is reduced, but distortion is added to the detected light signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidsignal distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional analog filtering mechanisms with digital signal processing techniques. By converting the detected light signals to digital form and applying computational filtering algorithms, the system achieves effective noise removal while maintaining signal integrity. Digital processing allows for sophisticated filtering approaches that can distinguish noise from signal based on temporal, spectral, or statistical characteristics without introducing the distortion typical of aggressive analog filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 accurate spectroscopic measurements of biological tissue characteristics by effectively removing noise and minimizing distortion, preventing overheating while maintaining signal integrity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light source operable to emit light that penetrates the biological tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight penetration: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

at least one light detector operable to detect light emitted by the at least one light source and passed through the biological tissue, and operable to convert the detected light into a detection signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9714969B2Systems and methods for spectroscopic measurement of a characteristic of biological tissue

Publication Date: 2017.07.25 BD SWITZERLAND SARL

AI summary

A method and system for spectroscopic measurement of a characteristic of a biological tissue is provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) using at least one light source to emit light that penetrates the biological tissue; (2) using at least one light detector to detect light emitted by the at least one light source and passed through the biological tissue, and to convert the detected light into a detection signal, the detection signal including an unwanted noise component; and (3) using a processor to process the detection signal and to determine an adjusted peak-to-peak amplitude value that is representative of an amplitude of the detection signal adjusted for the unwanted noise component.