Variable Depth Interrogation Sensor for Tissue Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rS02 sensors with fixed light penetration depth and power levels fail to effectively interrogate tissues due to curvature variations in subjects, leading to either shallow or excessive tissue interrogation depending on the subject's anatomy.
Innovation Solution
A sensor with a flexible spine and adjustable light source and detector configuration, allowing for variable displacement and power control to optimize light penetration depth based on the subject's curvature, enabling deeper or shallower interrogation as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed distance between emitters and detectors is used, then the sensor structure is simple, but the light penetration depth cannot be adjusted for different tissue curvatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable detector along the optical fiber that can be positioned at different distances from the emitter. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the light penetration depth to be varied to match different tissue curvatures, transforming a static fixed-distance structure into a dynamic adjustable one that adapts to different measurement requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the key parameter of detector-emitter distance to control light penetration depth. By allowing this parameter to vary rather than remaining fixed, the system can optimize interrogation depth for different tissue types and curvatures, directly addressing the adaptability issue while maintaining a relatively simple optical fiber-based structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed power level is supplied to emitters, then the energy consumption is predictable, but the light penetration depth cannot be optimized for different tissue types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the power level parameter supplied to the emitters to optimize light penetration for different tissue types. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to various tissue characteristics while maintaining predictable energy consumption patterns through controlled adjustment rather than uncontrolled variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow adjustment of emitter power based on detected light levels and tissue characteristics. This feedback loop enables optimization of penetration depth while maintaining energy efficiency, as the system can reduce power when sufficient signal is achieved or increase it when deeper penetration is required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the emitter-detector angle is fixed for deep penetration, then deep tissue interrogation is achieved, but shallow tissue interrogation becomes excessive in power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes both the emitter-detector angle and power level dynamic parameters that can be adjusted based on the required interrogation depth. For shallow tissue interrogation, the system uses larger angles and reduced power, while for deep penetration it employs smaller angles and higher power, optimizing energy efficiency across different operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously - the angular orientation of the detector relative to the emitter and the power level - to achieve the desired interrogation depth with optimal energy efficiency. This multi-parameter adjustment allows the system to avoid excessive power consumption for shallow interrogations while maintaining capability for deep tissue measurement.
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensors with varying displacements are used to accommodate different body types, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal sensor design that can function for multiple body types and tissue depths through adjustable parameters. Rather than requiring multiple specialized sensors with fixed displacements, this single sensor type can be configured for different applications by adjusting detector position and emitter power, achieving the same measurement precision across diverse subjects without increasing device variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow it to adapt to different body types during operation. The movable detector and adjustable power levels enable the same physical sensor to optimize its configuration for each measurement, replacing the need for multiple static sensor variants with a single dynamic instrument.
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 sensor achieves improved performance by adjusting the angle and intensity of light penetration, accommodating different body curvatures and eliminating the need for multiple sensors with varying displacements, thus providing effective non-invasive monitoring across various body types.
Implementation Method 1
Present day rS02 sensors typically utilize near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which is a spectroscopic method that uses the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum
Implementation Method 2
The light from the emitters penetrates the tissue to be interrogated and then reflects back toward detectors
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor for evaluating tissue of a subject is provided. The sensor includes a flexible spine disposable on the subject, a flexible member that includes first and second flexible member portions accommodated within the flexible spine, a light source, a detector and a rigid member. The light source is attached to the first flexible member portion and is configured to emit light toward the tissue. The detector is attached to the second flexible member portion and is configured to receive the light having reflected off the tissue. The rigid member is coupled with the first and second flexible member portions. In response to a curvature of the flexible spine, the rigid member moves the first and second flexible member portions along the flexible spine to adjust a distance between the light source and the detector.