Wearable Optical Path Multiplexing via Angular Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable devices are limited in their ability to perform measurements with certain wavelengths of light at different penetration depths due to fixed locations of light-emitting and photodetector components, leading to reduced accuracy and increased power consumption and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The wearable device adjusts optical paths by selectively changing transmission and reception angles using angular filters, allowing for varying penetration depths without the need for multiple optical packages, thereby improving signal quality and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical packages are used to achieve different penetration depths, then measurement versatility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different optical paths using a single optical package. The system can dynamically select between a first optical path (through the finger) and a second optical path (along the side of the finger) based on measurement requirements, achieving multiple penetration depths without needing multiple fixed optical packages. This dynamic configuration reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single optical package universal by enabling it to perform multiple measurement functions at different penetration depths. The optical package can be configured to collect physiological data from different tissue depths by switching between optical paths, allowing one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical packages are used to achieve different penetration depths, then measurement versatility is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single optical package universal by enabling it to perform multiple measurement functions at different penetration depths. The optical package can be configured to collect physiological data from different tissue depths by switching between optical paths, allowing one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light travels through blood vessels to measure blood oxygen saturation, then measurement capability is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to light reflection from moving blood
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between different optical paths based on the measurement being performed. When measuring blood oxygen saturation, the system can switch to an optical path that avoids major blood vessels to reduce motion artifacts, while still maintaining the capability to measure other physiological parameters that benefit from blood vessel interaction.
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 enhances the accuracy of physiological data collection by directing light to avoid or interact with specific tissue structures, such as bones and blood vessels, while minimizing power usage and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the wearable device may analyze characteristics of light that is transmitted through the tissue of the user using optical components of the wearable device
Implementation Method 2
the wearable device may utilize different wavelengths of light when collecting different physiological data because different wavelengths of light may penetrate the tissue at different depths
Implementation Method 3
the wearable device may analyze characteristics of light that is transmitted through the tissue of the user using optical components of the wearable device (e.g., optical transmitters and optical receivers)
Implementation Method 4
the angular filter component may be deposited on a surface of the optical transmitter or the optical receiver... the wearable device may selectively adjust a transmission angle of the light
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for measurement multiplexing for a wearable device are described. The method may include transmitting light using a light-emitting component of a wearable device via a set of transmission angles and receiving the light using a photodetector of the wearable device via a set of reception angles. Further, the method may include selecting a transmission angle from the set of transmission angles and a reception angle from the set of reception angles based on a comparison of a set of signal quality metrics associated with the set of transmission angles and the set of reception angles. The method may further include acquiring physiological data associated with the user using the transmission angle and the reception angle.