Wearable Module Assemblies for Optical Measurement Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting neural activity in the brain face challenges in accurately measuring and decoding signals due to ambient light interference and the need for consistent spatial resolution across varying head sizes and shapes.

Innovation Solution

The development of a wearable optical measurement system with a conformable module assembly that maintains uniform light source and detector spacing, preventing ambient light contamination and allowing for precise spatial resolution, using time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) and other time domain-based techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wearable optical measurement system is designed to accommodate various head sizes and shapes, then adaptability is improved, but maintaining uniform light source and detector spacing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of various head sizes and shapesVSAvoiduniform light source and detector spacing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable module assembly incorporates flexible connectors that allow dynamic adjustment of module positions and orientations. This enables the assembly to adapt to different head geometries while maintaining the required uniform spacing between light sources and detectors through flexible positioning rather than rigid fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows for adjustable spacing parameters between modules and within modules. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system can accommodate various head sizes and shapes while preserving the critical uniform spacing relationship between light sources and detectors for consistent spatial resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wearable module assembly uses flexible connectors to conform to body surfaces, then adaptability is improved, but structural stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to body surfacesVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs flexible connectors designed as thin, adaptable structures that can conform to body surfaces. These flexible connectors maintain structural integrity and stable electrical/optical connections while providing the necessary flexibility to adapt to different anatomical geometries, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If time-correlated single-photon counting is used to detect neural activity, then measurement precision is improved, but susceptibility to ambient light interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of neural activityVSAvoidambient light interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes periodic light pulsing in conjunction with time-correlated single-photon counting. By emitting light in periodic pulses and measuring photon arrival times relative to these pulses, the system can distinguish between signal photons and ambient light photons, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while rejecting ambient light interference through temporal gating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic 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

This system effectively minimizes ambient light interference, provides consistent spatial resolution, and accommodates various head sizes and shapes, enabling accurate detection and decoding of neural activity.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of detectors configured to receive photons included in the light pulse after the photons are scattered by the target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

Time-correlated single-photon counting detects single photons and measures a time of arrival of the photons with respect to a reference signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime-correlated single-photon counting:

Data Source

PatentUS11813066B2Wearable module assemblies for an optical measurement system

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 HI LLC

AI summary

A wearable module assembly for an optical measurement system includes a first wearable module, a second wearable module, and a connector. The first and second wearable modules each include a light source configured to emit a light pulse toward a target within a body of a user, a housing that houses the light source and the plurality of detectors and includes a substantially hexagonal surface that faces a surface of the body of the user when the wearable module assembly is worn by the user, and a plurality of detectors each positioned at a fixed distance from the first light source and each configured to detect a set of photons included in the light pulse after the set of photons are scattered by the target. The connector directly connects the first wearable module and the second wearable module at mutually-facing side surfaces of the respective housings.