Smart fiber optic sensors systems and methods for quantitative optical spectroscopy
First Claim
1. A smart fiber optic sensor comprising:
- a sensing channel for illuminating a specimen and for collecting spectral reflections from the specimen from which specimen spectral data can be determined;
a pressure sensing channel for collecting pressure sensor spectral reflections from which a contact pressure can be determined;
a calibration channel for obtaining calibration spectral reflections usable for correcting the specimen spectral data; and
a first light source for transmitting light having a first emission spectra to the sensing channel and calibration channel and a second light source for transmitting light having a second emission spectra to the pressure sensing channel, wherein the first and second emission spectra are non-overlapping.
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Abstract
Smart fiber optic sensors, systems, and methods for performing quantitative optical spectroscopy are disclosed. In one embodiment, smart fiber optic sensor can include a sensing channel, a calibration channel, and a pressure sensing channel. External force or pressure can be calculated at pressure sensing channel for monitoring and controlling pressure at a sensor-specimen interface thereby ensuring more accurate specimen spectral data is collected. Contact pressure can be adjusted to remain within a specified range. A calibration light of the calibration channel and an illumination light of the sensing channel can be generated simultaneously from a shared light source. Pressure sensing channel can transmit light from a second light source and collect pressure spectral data.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A smart fiber optic sensor comprising:
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a sensing channel for illuminating a specimen and for collecting spectral reflections from the specimen from which specimen spectral data can be determined; a pressure sensing channel for collecting pressure sensor spectral reflections from which a contact pressure can be determined; a calibration channel for obtaining calibration spectral reflections usable for correcting the specimen spectral data; and a first light source for transmitting light having a first emission spectra to the sensing channel and calibration channel and a second light source for transmitting light having a second emission spectra to the pressure sensing channel, wherein the first and second emission spectra are non-overlapping. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A smart fiber optic sensor system comprising:
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a smart fiber optic sensor comprising; a sensing channel for illuminating a specimen and for collecting spectral reflections from the specimen from which specimen spectral data can be determined; a pressure sensing channel for collecting pressure sensor spectral reflections from which a contact pressure can be determined; and a calibration channel for obtaining calibration spectral reflections usable for correcting the specimen spectral data, wherein the calibration channel comprises; a reflector; at least one calibration source fiber for communicating calibration light from the first light source to the reflector; at least one calibration return fiber for communicating the calibration spectral reflections from the reflector; and a spectrometer for receiving the calibration spectral reflections and for generating calibration spectral data, wherein the calibration light and the first illumination light are generated simultaneously from the first light source; and a processing unit, coupled to the each of the sensing channel, the pressure sensing channel, and the calibration channel, the processing unit being adapted to receive and correct the specimen spectral data and to calculate a contact pressure at a sensor/specimen interface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for utilizing a smart fiber optic sensor for measuring a specimen, the method comprising:
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contacting the specimen with the smart fiber optic sensor; generating, using the smart fiber optic sensor, specimen spectral data, pressure sensor spectral data, and calibration spectral data, wherein generating the specimen spectral data comprises; transmitting a first illumination light via at least one illumination fiber from a first light source to the specimen; collecting spectral reflections at a spectrometer using at least one detection fiber, the specimen spectral reflections comprising the first illumination light diffusely reflected from the specimen at one or more wavelengths; and generating, using the spectrometer, the specimen spectral data based on the reflections; and wherein generating the calibration spectral data comprises; transmitting calibration light to a reflector via at least one calibration source fiber, wherein the calibration light and the first illumination light are generated simultaneously from the first light source; collecting calibration spectral reflections at the spectrometer using at least one calibration return fiber; and generating, using the spectrometer, the calibration spectral data from the calibration reflections; calculating a contact pressure at an interface of the smart fiber optic sensor and the specimen using the pressure sensor spectral data; and correcting specimen spectral data using the calibration spectral data. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification