Nondispersive infrared micro-optics sensor for blood alcohol concentration measurements

• US 9,322,756 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2014
• Issued: 04/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Emadi, Arvin, Kerness, Nicole D., Edwards, Christopher F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Kiho
• Application Number:
  US14/497,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20150241347A1
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 2503381-3385
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4845 Toxicology, e.g. by detection of alcohol, drug or toxic products A61B5/4848 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/40 Concentrating samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/01 Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/59 Transmissivity G01N21/25 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0036 Specially adapted to detect a particular component all the other sub-groups of G01N33/0004 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/49 Blood chemical methods for determining blood cell populations G01N33/5094; chemical analysis of blood groups or blood types G01N33/80
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/493 urine
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/497 of gaseous biological material, e.g. breath
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4972 Determining alcohol content for vehicle safety devices B60K28/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60

Abstract

A nondispersive infrared (NDIR) micro-optics sensor package is described that includes one or more light sources, a photodetector, and control circuitry coupled to the one or more light sources to non-invasively measure blood alcohol concentration, such as without utilizing ex vivo bodily fluids for the measurements. Additionally, a mobile phone device configured to measure blood alcohol concentration is described that includes a mobile phone system and an NDIR micro-optics sensor package as disclosed above. Further, a process for measuring alcohol content within a subject is described.

Claims

1. A mobile micro-optics sensor package for blood alcohol concentration measurements, comprising:

a package substrate having an output region, an input region, and a baffle positioned between the output region and the input region;

a light source coupled to the package substrate and configured to generate light having a plurality of wavelengths, at least one of the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of ethanol and water, and at least one of the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of water, the light source configured to direct the light from the light source through the output region;

a photodetector coupled to the package substrate and configured to receive at least a portion of the light having the plurality of wavelengths through the input region and to generate one or more alternating current signal outputs in response thereto; and

control circuitry coupled to the light source and the photodetector, the control circuitry configured to detect and calibrate the one or more alternating current signal outputs from the photodetector to determine a blood alcohol concentration based on spectral data associated with the wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of ethanol and water and with the wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of water and based on a detected change in reflectance range of the one or more alternating current signal outputs between a first reflectance range at a first time period and a second reflectance range at a second time period.

2. The mobile micro-optics sensor package for blood alcohol concentration measurements of claim 1, wherein the light source includes a plurality of light sources, each of the plurality of light sources configured to generate light having a different spectrum of wavelengths.

3. The mobile micro-optics sensor package for blood alcohol concentration measurements of claim 2, wherein the plurality of light sources includes a light source configured to generate light having a peak of approximately 1.4 microns, a light source configured to generate light having a peak of approximately 1.6 microns, a light source configured to generate light having a peak of approximately 1.9 microns, and a light source configured to generate light having a peak of approximately 2.25 microns.

4. The mobile micro-optics sensor package for blood alcohol concentration measurements of claim 1, wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode.

5. The mobile micro-optics sensor package for blood alcohol concentration measurements of claim 1, wherein the light source includes a laser diode.

6. The mobile micro-optics sensor package for blood alcohol concentration measurements of claim 1, further including a filter configured to receive at least a portion of the light generated by the light source and to block a portion of the light and to pass light having wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of ethanol and water and having wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of water.

7. A mobile phone device comprising:

a mobile phone system; and

a mobile micro-optics sensor package integrated into the mobile phone system, including;

a package substrate having an output region, an input region, and a baffle positioned between the output region and the input region;

a light source coupled to the package substrate and configured to generate light having a plurality of wavelengths, at least one of the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of ethanol and water, and at least one of the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of water, the light source configured to direct the light from the light source through the output region;

a photodetector coupled to the package substrate and configured to receive at least a portion of the light having the plurality of wavelengths through the input region and to generate one or more alternating current signal outputs in response thereto; and

control circuitry coupled to the light source and the photodetector, the control circuitry configured to detect and calibrate the one or more alternating current signal outputs from the photodetector to determine a blood alcohol concentration based on spectral data associated with the wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of ethanol and water and with the wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of water and based on a detected change in reflectance range of the one or more alternating current signal outputs between a first reflectance range at a first time period and a second reflectance range at a second time period.

8. The mobile phone device of claim 7, wherein the light source includes a plurality of light sources, each of the plurality of light sources configured to generate light having a different spectrum of wavelengths.

9. The mobile phone device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of light sources includes a light source configured to generate light having a peak of approximately 1.4 microns, a light source configured to generate light having a peak of approximately 1.6 microns, a light source configured to generate light having a peak of approximately 1.9 microns, and a light source configured to generate light having a peak of approximately 2.25 microns.

10. The mobile phone device of claim 7, wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode.

11. The mobile phone device of claim 7, wherein the light source includes a laser diode.

12. The mobile phone device of claim 7, further including a filter configured to receive at least a portion of the light generated by the light source and to block a portion of the light and to pass light having wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of ethanol and water and having wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of water.

13. A process for measuring alcohol content within a subject, comprising:

emitting light from a light source, the light having a plurality of wavelengths, at least one of the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of ethanol and water, at least one of the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of water, and at least one of the plurality of wavelengths having a peak of approximately 1.6 microns corresponding to a calibration channel for an optical path of the light through the subject;

sensing an electromagnetic absorption of at least a portion of the light by water and by a combination of water and ethanol at the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of ethanol and water and to a peak spectral absorption of water; and

correlating the sensed electromagnetic absorption by comparing a first reflectance range of one or more of alternating current signal components corresponding to electromagnetic absorption at the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of ethanol and water and alternating current signal components corresponding to electromagnetic absorption at the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of water at a first time period with a second reflectance range of the one or more of alternating current signal components corresponding to electromagnetic absorption at the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of ethanol and water and alternating current signal components corresponding to electromagnetic absorption at the plurality of wavelengths corresponding to a peak spectral absorption of water at a second time period to determine an alcohol content within a subject.

14. The process of claim 13, wherein emitting light from a light source further includes emitting light having a peak of approximately 1.4 microns, emitting light having a peak of approximately 1.9 microns, and emitting light having a peak of approximately 2.25 microns.