METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SPECTRALLY DETECTING HEMOGLOBIN

• US 20100231893A1
• Filed: 03/10/2010
• Published: 09/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spectra Tracker LLC
• Original Assignee: Spectra Tracker LLC
• Inventors: Miller, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,319,953 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/51
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0208 using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or mirrors; performing aberration correction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0216 using light concentrators or collectors or condensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0264 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0272 Handheld
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/427 Dual wavelengths spectrometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/3148 using three or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/3185 typically monochromatic or band-limited
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3151 using two sources of radiation of different wavelengths G01N21/33 - G01N21/39 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0221 Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting the presence of blood. Specific applications may include hunting, during which it may be necessary to track a wounded, bleeding animal. According to one embodiment, a device transmits light at one or more wavelengths to irradiate a region potentially containing blood. Hemoglobin in the blood absorbs or reflects more of the transmitted light than other matter in the region. A detector detects the light reflected from the region and determines if blood is present in the region using spectral analysis.

Claims

1. A method of detecting blood in a region, comprising:

receiving light reflected from an irradiated region, including reflected light at a first wavelength and reflected light at a second wavelength;

comparing the intensity of the received reflected light at the first wavelength to the intensity of the received reflected light at the second wavelength; and

determining that blood is present in the region based on the relative intensities of the received reflected light at the first wavelength and the received reflected light at the second wavelength.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating the first wavelength using a first light source;

generating the second wavelength using a second light source; and

irradiating the irradiated region using the first light source and the second light source.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

irradiating the region with a third light source configured to emit light at a third wavelength corresponding to a control wavelength known to be generally reflected by matter other than blood in the region;

receiving light reflected from the irradiated region at the third wavelength; and

wherein determining that blood is present in the region is further based on the relative intensity of the received reflected light at the third wavelength.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wavelength is between about 350 nanometers and about 600 nanometers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second wavelength is between about 350 nanometers and about 600 nanometers.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second wavelength is between about 600 nanometers and about 825 nanometers.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second wavelength corresponds to a control wavelength known to be generally reflected by matter other than blood in the region.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wavelength is between about 600 nanometers and about 825 nanometers and the second wavelength corresponds to a control wavelength known to be generally reflected by matter other than blood in the region.

9. A device for detecting the presence of blood in a region comprising:

a light receiver configured to receive light reflected from an irradiated region, including reflected light at a first wavelength and reflected light at a second wavelength;

the light receiver further configured to determine an intensity of the reflected light at the first wavelength and an intensity of reflected light at the second wavelength; and

an analyzer configured to determine that blood is present in the region based on the relative intensities of the reflected light at the first wavelength and the reflected light at the second wavelength received by the light receiver.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising:

a first light source configured to generate light at the first wavelength;

a second light source configured to generate light at the second wavelength; and

wherein the first light source and the second light source are used to irradiate the region.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising:

a third light source configured to emit light at a third wavelength corresponding to a control wavelength generally reflected by matter other than blood in the region;

wherein the receiver is further configured to receive light reflected from the irradiated region at the third wavelength; and

wherein the analyzer is further configured to determine that blood is present in the region based on the relative intensity of the received reflected light at the third wavelength.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the light at the first wavelength is between about 350 nanometers and about 600 nanometers.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the second wavelength of light is between about 600 nanometers and about 825 nanometers.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the second wavelength of light is a control wavelength known to be generally reflected by matter other than blood in the region.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the first light source and the second light source and the light receiver are positioned at the end of a handle.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein the beam width of the first light source and the beam width of the second light source are adjustable.

17. The device of claim 9, wherein the light receiver is configured with an adjustable focus configured to adjust the area of the region from which reflected light is received by the light receiver.

18. The device of claim 9, wherein the device is configured to be coupled to a global positioning system (GPS) device such that the coordinates of locations where blood has been detected are recorded.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the coordinates corresponding to locations where blood has been detected are plotted on a map to establish a blood trail.

20. A portable device for detecting the presence of blood in a region comprising:

a handle comprising a first end and a second end;

a light transmitter attached to the second end of the handle configured to irradiate a region with light at a first wavelength and light at a second wavelength;

a light receiver attached to the second end of the handle configured to receive light reflected from the irradiated region and determine an intensity of reflected light at the first wavelength and an intensity of reflected light at the second wavelength;

an analyzer configured to determine the presence of blood based, at least in part, on the relative intensities of the received reflected light at the first wavelength and the received reflected light at the second wavelength; and

a power source configured to provide power to at least the light transmitter, the light receiver, and the analyzer.

21. The portable device of claim 20, wherein the handle comprises a telescoping handle, such that the second end of the handle is configured to extend away from the first end of the handle.

22. The portable device of claim 20, wherein the light transmitter comprises a focusing member configured to adjust the beam width of radiated light.

23. The portable device of claim 20, wherein the light receiver comprises a focusing member configured to adjust the area of the region from which reflected light is received by the light receiver.

24. The portable device of claim 20, wherein the first wavelength is between about 350 nanometers and 600 nanometers.

25. The portable device of claim 20, wherein the second wavelength is between about 600 nanometers and 825 nanometers.