Translucent Detector for Incident Light Intensity Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulse oximetry systems face inaccuracies in measuring the intensity of incident light (I0) due to real-time fluctuations and power degradation, leading to miscalculations of physiological parameters like glucose levels, and existing methods for determining I0 are either inaccurate or require complex light mixing techniques that are difficult to miniaturize.
Innovation Solution
An optical measurement device with a translucent first detector positioned proximal to the light source and a second detector distal to the measurement site, allowing for accurate real-time detection of incident light intensity with low quantum efficacy, ensuring that most of the light reaches the measurement site without significant absorption, thereby maintaining accurate intensity measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional photodetection device is used to detect incident light intensity, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision of incident light intensity is inaccurate due to real-time fluctuations and power degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The photodetection device is divided into two separate detectors: a first detector positioned proximal to the light source for detecting incident light intensity, and a second detector positioned distal to the measurement site for detecting transmitted light intensity. This segmentation allows each detector to perform its specific function independently, improving measurement accuracy without requiring complex light mixing techniques
Solution Approach 2:
A translucent portion is introduced as an intermediary element in the optical path. This translucent portion allows incident light to pass through to the measurement site while enabling the first detector to measure the incident light intensity. The translucent mediator resolves the contradiction by facilitating both measurement and light transmission without significant absorption
2Measurement precision
If a translucent detector is used to detect incident light, then the measurement precision improves, but the quantum efficacy decreases as some light is absorbed by the detector
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is designed with a translucent portion having specific optical properties that allow it to detect light intensity while minimizing absorption. The translucent portion is positioned and configured to detect the intensity of incident light without significantly absorbing the light that needs to reach the measurement site, thus maintaining both measurement capability and light transmission
3Measurement precision
If complex light mixing techniques are used to determine incident light intensity, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases and miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the incident light detection function from the traditional light mixing approach and implements it through a separate first detector positioned proximal to the light source. This extraction eliminates the need for complex light mixing techniques while maintaining the ability to accurately determine incident light intensity, thereby enabling sensor miniaturization
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 approach enables precise estimation of analyte concentrations and physiological parameters by accurately determining the intensity of incident and attenuated light, reducing errors and allowing for miniaturization of the sensor while maintaining high accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a first detector can be configured to receive incident light from the light source. At least a portion of the first detector can be translucent and the incident light can pass through the translucent portion prior to reaching the measurement site
Implementation Method 2
After attenuation by tissue and fluids of the measurement site, a photodetection device(s) detects the attenuated light
Implementation Method 3
After attenuation by tissue and fluids of the measurement site
Data Source
AI summary
An optical measurement device includes a light source, a first detector, and a second detector. The light source emits light to a measurement site of a patient and one or more detectors detect the light from the light source. At least a portion of a detector is translucent and the light passes through the translucent portion prior to reaching the measurement site. A detector receives the light after attenuation and/or reflection or refraction by the measurement site. A processor determines a light intensity of the light source, a light intensity through a tissue site, or a light intensity of reflected or refracted light based on light detected by the one or more detectors. The processor can estimate a concentration of an analyte at the measurement site or an absorption or reflection at the measurement site.