Short-wave infrared super-continuum lasers for early detection of dental caries

• US 9,861,286 B1
• Filed: 08/25/2017
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omni Medsci, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Omni Medsci, Inc.
• Inventors: Islam, Mohammed N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chowdhury, Tarifur
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rahman, Md M
• Application Number:
  US15/686,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20170367585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 137 Days
• Field of Search: 356300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/146 for optical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2576/02 specially adapted for a particular organ or body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• 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 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 for oral or dental tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4547 Evaluating teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7257 using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/104 Monochromatic plural sources
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1208 Prism and grating
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/2826 Multispectral imaging, e.g. filter imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 : using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/108 : for measurement in the infrared range
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/14 : using refracting elements, e.g. prisms G01J3/18, G01J3/26 take precedence prisms per se G02B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/1838 : Holographic gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/28 : Investigating the spectrum using colour filters G01J3/51
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/2823 : Imaging spectrometer
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/42 : Absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry beam switching arrangements G01J3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/453 : by correlation of the amplitudes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/38 : by using light G01M3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/3595 : using FTIR
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/399 : Diode laser
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/35 : using infrared light G01N21/39 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3563 : for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/359 : using near infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/39 : using tunable lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/85 : Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/88 : Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9508 : Capsules; Tablets
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0221 : Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/061 : Sources
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/06113 : Coherent sources; lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 : LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/08 : Optical fibres; light guides
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/12 : Circuits of general importance; Signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/129 : Using chemometrical methods
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/02 : Food
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/025 : Fruits or vegetables
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/15 : Medicinal preparations ; Physical properties thereof, e.g. dissolubility
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/442 : Resins; Plastics
• 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: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/0092 : Nonlinear frequency conversion, e.g. second harmonic generation [SHG] or sum- or difference-frequency generation outside the laser cavity nonlinear frequency conversion per se G02F1/35
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/06758 : Tandem amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/302 : in an optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A wearable device for use with a smart phone or tablet includes LEDs for measuring physiological parameters by modulating the LEDs and generating a near-infrared multi-wavelength optical beam. At least one LED emits at a first wavelength having a first penetration depth and at least another LED emits at a second wavelength having a second penetration depth into tissue. The device includes lenses that deliver the optical beam to the tissue, which reflects the first and second wavelengths. A receiver is configured to capture light while the LEDs are off and while at least one of the LEDs is on and to difference corresponding signals to improve a signal-to-noise ratio of the optical beam reflected from the tissue. The signal-to-noise ratio is further increased by increasing light intensity of at least one of the LEDs. The device generates an output signal representing a non-invasive measurement on blood within the tissue.

Claims

1. A wearable device for use with a smart phone or tablet, the wearable device comprising:

a measurement device including a light source comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for measuring one or more physiological parameters, the measurement device configured to generate, by modulating at least one of the LEDs having an initial light intensity, an optical beam having a plurality of optical wavelengths, wherein at least one of the LEDs emits at a first wavelength having a first penetration depth into tissue and at least another of the LEDs emits at a second wavelength having a second penetration depth into the tissue different from the first penetration depth, wherein at least a portion of the optical beam includes a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers;

the measurement device comprising one or more lenses configured to receive and to deliver at least a portion of each of the first and of the second wavelengths to tissue, wherein the tissue reflects at least a portion of each of the first and of the second wavelengths;

the measurement device further comprising a receiver configured to;

capture light while the LEDs are off and convert the captured light into a first signal and

capture light while at least one of the LEDs is on and to convert the captured light into a second signal, the captured light including at least a portion of one of the first or second wavelengths reflected from the tissue;

the measurement device configured to improve a signal-to-noise ratio of the optical beam reflected from the tissue by differencing the first signal and the second signal;

the light source configured to further improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the optical beam reflected from the tissue by increasing the light intensity relative to the initial light intensity from at least one of the LEDs;

the measurement device further configured to generate an output signal representing at least in part a non-invasive measurement on blood contained within the tissue.

2. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the measurement device is adapted to be placed on a wrist of a user.

3. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the measurement device is adapted to be placed on an ear of a user.

4. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the second wavelength is between 900 nanometers and 1150 nanometers.

5. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein

the wearable device is configured to communicate with the smart phone or tablet, the smart phone or tablet comprising a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter, a display, a voice input module, a speaker, and a touch screen, the smart phone or tablet configured to receive and to process at least a portion of the output signal, wherein the smart phone or tablet is configured to store and display the processed output signal, wherein at least a portion of the processed output signal is configured to be transmitted over a wireless transmission link.

6. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to be synchronized to the modulation of at least one of the LEDs.

7. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is located a first distance from a first one of the LEDs and a different distance from a second one of the LEDs such that the receiver can capture a third signal from the first LED and a fourth signal from the second LED, and wherein the output signal is generated in part by comparing the third and fourth signals.

8. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the output signal is generated in part by comparing the reflected light at the first wavelength with the reflected light at the second wavelength.

9. A wearable device for use with a smart phone or tablet, the wearable device comprising:

a measurement device including a light source comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for measuring one or more physiological parameters, the measurement device configured to generate, by modulating at least one of the LEDs having an initial light intensity, an optical beam having a plurality of optical wavelengths, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of optical wavelengths is a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers;

the measurement device comprising one or more lenses configured to receive and to deliver a portion of the optical beam to tissue, wherein the tissue reflects at least a portion of the optical beam delivered to the tissue, and wherein the measurement device is adapted to be placed on a wrist or an ear of a user;

the measurement device further comprising a receiver configured to;

capture light while the LEDs are off and convert the captured light into a first signal and

capture light while at least one of the LEDs is on and convert the captured light into a second signal, the captured light including at least a portion of the optical beam reflected from the tissue;

the measurement device configured to improve a signal-to-noise ratio of the optical beam reflected from the tissue by differencing the first signal and the second signal;

the light source configured to further improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the optical beam reflected from the tissue by increasing the light intensity relative to the initial light intensity from at least one of the LEDs;

the measurement device further configured to generate an output signal representing at least in part a non-invasive measurement on blood contained within the tissue.

10. The wearable device of claim 9, wherein at least one LED emits at a first wavelength and at least another LED emits at a second wavelength, and wherein the first wavelength has a first penetration depth into the tissue and wherein the second wavelength has a second penetration depth into the tissue different from the first penetration depth.

11. The wearable device of claim 10, wherein the output signal is generated in part by comparing the reflected light at the first wavelength with the reflected light at the second wavelength.

12. The wearable device of claim 10, wherein the second wavelength is between 900 nanometers and 1150 nanometers.

13. The wearable device of claim 9, wherein

the wearable device is configured to communicate with the smart phone or tablet, the smart phone or tablet comprising a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter, a display, a voice input module, a speaker, and a touch screen, the smart phone or tablet configured to receive and to process at least a portion of the output signal, wherein the smart phone or tablet is configured to store and display the processed output signal, wherein at least a portion of the processed output signal is configured to be transmitted over a wireless transmission link.

14. The wearable device of claim 9, wherein the receiver is configured to be synchronized to the modulation of the at least one of the LEDs.

15. The wearable device of claim 9, wherein the receiver is located a first distance from a first one of the LEDs and a different distance from a second one of the LEDs such that the receiver can capture a third signal from the first LED and a fourth signal from the second LED, and wherein the output signal is generated in part by comparing the third and fourth signals.

16. A wearable device for use with a smart phone or tablet, the wearable device comprising:

a measurement device including a light source comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for measuring one or more physiological parameters, the measurement device configured to generate, by modulating at least one of the LEDs having an initial light intensity, an optical beam having a plurality of optical wavelengths, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of optical wavelengths is a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers;

the measurement device comprising one or more lenses configured to receive and to deliver a portion of the optical beam to tissue, wherein the tissue reflects at least a portion of the optical beam delivered to the tissue, and wherein the measurement device is adapted to be placed on a wrist or an ear of a user;

the measurement device further comprising a receiver configured to;

capture light while the LEDs are off and convert the captured light into a first signal and

capture light while at least one of the LEDs is on and convert the captured light into a second signal, the captured light including at least a portion of the optical beam reflected from the tissue;

the measurement device configured to improve a signal-to-noise ratio of the optical beam reflected from the tissue by differencing the first signal and the second signal;

the light source configured to further improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the optical beam reflected from the tissue by increasing the light intensity relative to the initial light intensity from at least one of the LEDs;

the measurement device further configured to generate an output signal representing at least in part a non-invasive measurement on blood contained within the tissue; and

wherein the receiver includes a plurality of spatially separated detectors, wherein at least one analog to digital converter is coupled to the spatially separated detectors.

17. The wearable device of claim 16, wherein at least one LED emits at a first wavelength and at least another LED emits at a second wavelength, and wherein the first wavelength has a first penetration depth into the tissue and wherein the second wavelength has a second penetration depth into the tissue different from the first penetration depth.

18. The wearable device of claim 17, wherein the output signal is generated in part by comparing the reflected light at the first wavelength with the reflected light at the second wavelength.

19. The wearable device of claim 16, wherein the receiver is configured to be synchronized to the modulating of at least one of the LEDs.

20. The wearable device of claim 16, wherein the receiver is located a first distance from a first one of the LEDs and a different distance from a second one of the LEDs such that the receiver can capture a third signal from the first LED and a fourth signal from the second LED, and wherein the output signal is generated in part by comparing the third and fourth signals.