Wearable Biosignal Spectrometer Using Flexible Strap Waveguide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices with integrated spectrometers face performance decline due to size constraints, making it challenging to non-invasively measure biosignals like blood sugar and cholesterol levels without compromising functionality.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device design incorporating a flexible strap with a built-in light source, optical waveguide, and detector, allowing for near-infrared light emission and dispersion, which is transmitted through a spectrum portion to measure biosignals without thermal noise interference, enabling efficient biosignal measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a spectrometer is installed in a wearable device to enable non-invasive biosignal measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but device size increases causing performance decline
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrometer is divided into separate functional modules: light source, optical waveguide, spectrum portion, and detector are distributed across the strap and main body rather than being integrated in one location. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the concentration of size-critical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide extends the optical path from the strap onto the main body, utilizing the spatial dimension to separate components that would otherwise need to be closely integrated. This dimensional extension allows the optical system to function with distributed components, reducing overall device volume while maintaining measurement capability.
2Volume of moving object
If the spectrometer is miniaturized to fit in a wearable device, then device portability is improved, but thermal noise increases affecting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted and placed in the strap away from the main body housing the detector and spectrum portion. This spatial separation removes the thermal noise source from proximity to the sensitive detection components, allowing miniaturization without compromising thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide acts as an intermediary that transmits light signals from the strap to the main body while isolating the thermal environments of the light source and detector. This intermediary component enables physical separation that reduces thermal coupling and noise transmission.
3Measurement precision
If the optical path is extended to improve light collection, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide serves multiple functions: it extends the optical path for improved light collection, acts as a physical separator to reduce thermal noise, and provides a compact routing mechanism for the optical beam. This multi-functionality achieves extended light collection without proportional increases in system complexity.
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 device effectively measures biosignals like blood sugar and cholesterol levels non-invasively without performance decline, minimizing thermal noise and maintaining compact size, thus enhancing mobile healthcare capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a light source disposed in the strap, the light source being configured to emit light onto a surface of a user
Implementation Method 2
an optical waveguide disposed in the strap, the optical waveguide being configured to receive the emitted light traveling into and out from the surface, and transmit the received light to the spectrum portion
Implementation Method 3
a diffraction grating disposed on the outer surface of the light-transmissive member, the diffraction grating being configured to disperse the reflected light, and transmit the dispersed light to the detector
Implementation Method 4
a detector disposed in the main body, the detector being configured to detect the transmitted light dispersing through the spectrum portion
Implementation Method 5
a reflective mirror disposed on an outer surface of the light-transmissive member, the reflective mirror being configured to reflect the passed-through light
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device includes a main body, and a strap connected to the main body, the strap being configured to be flexible. The wearable device further includes a light source disposed in the strap, the light source being configured to emit light onto a surface of a user. The wearable device further includes a spectrum portion disposed in the main body, and an optical waveguide disposed in the strap, the optical waveguide being configured to receive the emitted light traveling into and out from the surface, and transmit the received light to the spectrum portion. The wearable device further includes a detector disposed in the main body, the detector being configured to detect the transmitted light dispersing through the spectrum portion.