Title of the Invention: Multi-spectral optical apparatus for biosensing applications

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to multi-spectral optical instruments for photo-sensing utility, particularly for the sensing of the bio-parameters, chemical properties and soil health.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Optical sensing has been utilized in various applications, but the optical instruments require unique configurations and designs to precisely extract different spectrometry information.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the invention is to present multi-spectral optical instruments that can be utilized for biological sensing, chemical sensing, soil= and other photo-sensing applications.

FIRST ASPECT

[0004] A direct transmission sensing optical spectrometer is provided in the first aspect of the invention. The optical signal probes of Near-Infrared (Near-IR) LED, Infrared (IR) LED, Red LED and Green LED are placed in a LED holder. For real-time sensing application, the signal probes are arranged in the blood flow direction. The photodetector holder contains photodetector set of visible/IR photodetectors and Near-IR photodetectors, in which photodetectors are placed next to each other and in alignment with the signal probes. An optical lens between the signal probes and photodetector set focuses and amplifies the low powered optical response on the photodetector probes. A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature bio-sensor is positioned away from the heat dissipating surface of the apparatus, for recording noise-free bio-temperature and thermal feedback. The spectrometer comprises of a hollow cylindrical for finger placement, body part placement or sample placement. The proximity surface of the signal, detector and sensor probes, and hollow cylindrical area is covered with foam base. The hollow cylindrical area and foam base are utilized as the mechanical method to reduce contact vibrations errors in the real-time recording and to hold the apparatus steadily on the sensing spot. This optical technology is used to improve accuracy, alleviate radiation risks and reduce power consumption.

SECOND ASPECT

[0005] An inverted transmission sensing optical spectrometer is presented in the second aspect of the invention. The optical signal probes of Near-IR LED, IR LED, Red LED and Green LED are placed in a LED holder, which is assembled in the inverted bottom surface. For real-time sensing applications, the signal probes are arranged in the blood flow direction. The photodetector holder contains photodetector set of visible/IRphotodetectors and Near- IR photodetectors, in which photodetectors are placed next to each other and in alignment with the signal probes. The photodetector holder is placed in the inverted top surface. An optical lens between the signal probes and photodetector set focuses and amplifies the low powered optical response on the photodetector probes. A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature bio-sensor, installed away from the heat dissipation surface, is used for recording noise-free bio-temperature and thermal feedback. The spectrometer comprises of a hollow cylindrical area for finger placement, body part placement or sample placement. The proximity surface of the signal, detector and sensor probes, and hollow cylindrical area is covered with foam base. The hollow cylindrical area and foam base are utilized as the mechanical method to reduce contact vibrations errors in the recording, and as well as to hold the apparatus steadily on the sensing spot. The inverted configuration minimizes the background noise in the optical response.

THIRD ASPECT

[0006] A direct transmission sensing optical spectrometer with multijunction photodetector configuration is provided in the third of the invention. The optical signal probes of Near- IR LED, IR LED, Red LED and Green LED are placed in a LED holder. For real-time sensing application, the signal probes are arranged in the blood flow direction. The photodetector holder contains photodetector set of visible/IR photodetectors and Near-IR photodetectors, in which photodetectors are arranged in multi-junction configuration and in alignment with the signal probes. An optical lens between the signal probes and photodetector set focuses and amplifies the low powered optical response on the photodetector probes. A non-contact MEMs NEMs temperature bio-sensor is positioned away from the heat dissipation surface for recording noise-free bio-temperature and thermal feedback. The spectrometer comprises of a hollow cylindrical for finger placement, body part placement or sample placement. The proximity surface of the signal, detector and sensor probes, and hollow cylindrical area is covered with foam base. The hollow cylindrical area and foam base are utilized as the mechanical method to reduce contact vibrations errors in the recording and as well hold the apparatus steadily on the sensing spot. This optical technology is utilized to improve accuracy, alleviate radiation risks and reduce power consumption of the overall hardware system.

FOURTH ASPECT

[0007] An inverted transmission sensing optical spectrometer with multijunction photodetector configuration is presented in the fourth aspect of the invention. The optical signal probes of Near-IR LED, IR LED, Red LED and Green LED are placed in a LED holder, which is assembled in the inverted bottom surface. For real-time sensing applications, the signal probes are arranged in the blood flow direction. The photodetector holder contains photodetector set of visible/IR photodetectors and Near-IR photodetectors, in which the photodetectors are placed in multijunction configuration and in alignment with the signal probes. The photodetector holder is placed in the inverted top surface. An optical lens between the signal probes and photodetector set focuses and amplifies the low powered optical response on the photodetector probes. A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature bio -sensor is positioned away from the heat dissipation surface of the apparatus for recording noise-free bio-temperature and thermal feedback. The spectrometer comprises of a hollow cylindrical for finger placement, body part placement or sample placement. The proximity surface of the signal, detector and sensor probes, and hollow cylindrical area is covered with foam base. The hollow cylindrical area and foam base are utilized as the mechanical method to reduce contact vibrations errors in the recording and as well hold the apparatus steadily on the sensing spot. A disposable foam base can be used for reducing the risk of clinical infection and increasing the lifecycle of single-use device. The inverted configuration minimizes the background optical noise.

FIFTH ASPECT

[0008] In the fifth aspect of the invention, lesser optical component based central photodetector based reflective optical apparatus is presented. The spectrometer consists of optical LED signal probes set of Near-Infrared LED, Infrared LED, Red LED and Green LED. For realtime sensing application, the signal probes are aligned in the blood flow direction and placed near the contact plane. The set of LED signal probes are arranged inside a focusing circular configuration and at a noise-free reflection distance. The signal probes inject optical signals, and the reflected responses are captured by an optical lens system located at the middle plane. The optical lens focuses and amplifies the low powered response on a photodetector set located at the subsequent plane. The photodetector set of IR/visible and Near-Infrared probes are placed next to each other to record reflected signal response. A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature bio-sensor is installed at a minimum distance from heat dissipation surface and at the edge of the board, for recording the error-free body temperature and the thermal noise feedback. A foam base is placed in an unobstructive manner around the sensors and apparatus, which is utilized to reduce the motion errors.

SIXTH ASPECT

[0009] In the sixth aspect of the invention, central photodetector based reflective optical apparatus with muli-junction photodetector is provided. The spectrometer consists of optical LED signal probes set of Near-Infrared LED, Infrared LED, Red LED and Green LED. For real-time sensing application, the signal probes are aligned in the blood flow direction and placed near the contact plane. The set of LED signal probes are arranged inside a focusing circular configuration and at a noise-free reflection distance. The signal probes inject optical signals, and the reflected responses are captured by an optical lens system located at the middle plane. The optical lens focuses and amplifies the low powered response on a photodetector set located at the subsequent plane. The photodetector set of IR/visible and Near Infrared probes are arranged in multijunction to record reflected signal response. A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature bio-sensor is installed at the edge of at a minimum distance from heat dissipation surface for recording the error-free body temperature and the thermal noise feedback. A foam base is placed in an unobstructive manner around the sensors and apparatus, which is utilized as a mechanical means to reduce the motion errors.

SEVENTH ASPECT

[0010] A reflective optical spectrometer technology for wide angle reflective sensing is depicted in the seventh aspect of the invention. The wide angle sensing optical spectrometer comprises of input signal probes of Near-IR LED, IR LED, Red LED and Green LED, which are arranged next to each other within the light injection length. The signal probes therein are aligned in the blood flow direction for real-time biological sensing applications. The set of multiple optical lens are placed at a noise-free responsive distance from the signal probes, which concentrates and focuses the reflected response on the photodetectors. The photodetectors set of visible/IR and Near-IR photodetectors, placed next to each other, are assembled under their corresponding optical lens to record the response signals. A non- contact MEMs/NEMs temperature biosensor is placed at a minimum distance from heat dissipation surface of the apparatus. This arrangement of the non-contact temperature biosensor enables to record the body temperature and the thermal noise feedback, without any radiation noise. A foam base is placed in an unobstructive manner around the sensors and apparatus, for reducing the motion errors.

EIGHTH ASPECT

[001 1] A reflective optical spectrometer technology for wide angle reflective sensing with multijunction photodetector configuration is depicted in the eighth aspect of the invention. The wide angle sensing optical spectrometer comprises of input signal probes of Near-IR LED, IR LED, Red LED and Green LED, which are arranged next to each other within the light injection length. The signal probes therein are aligned in the blood flow direction for real-time biological sensing applications. The set of multiple optical lens are placed at a noise-free responsive distance from the signal probes, which concentrates and focuses the reflected response on the photodetectors. The photodetectors set of visible/IR and Near-IR photodetectors are placed in a multi-junction configuration under their corresponding optical lens, for recording the response signals. A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature biosensor is placed at a minimum distance from heat dissipation surface of the apparatus. This arrangement of the non-contact temperature biosensor enables to record the body temperature and the thermal noise feedback, without any radiation error-free. A foam base is placed in an unobstructive manner around the sensors and apparatus, which is used to reduce the motion errors and increase the multi-use efficiency.

NINTH ASPECT

[0012] The ninth aspect of the invention puts forth a photodetector array technology based reflective optical apparatus. The optical signal probes of Near-Infrared LED, Infrared LED, Red LED and Green LED of the optical spectrometer are aligned in blood flow direction. The set of signal probes are arranged next to each other within the light injection length and at a minimum response distance from the photodetector set, so that the recorded reflected response does not have a noise component. The photodetection set of the spectrometer comprises of infrared/visible Red and Near Infrared photodiodes assembled in photodetector array configuration. This photodetector array arrangement assures that most of the response information is recorded. A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature biosensor is located at a minimum distance from heat dissipation surface, which is used to record the radiation error-free body temperature and the thermal noise feedback. A foam base is placed on the contact surface surrounding the sensors, signal probe and receiver area for reducing the motion errors and increasing the reusability.

TENTH ASPECT

[0013] An optical spectrometer with titled probe configuration is presented in the tenth aspect of the invention. The blood flow direction aligned signal probes, of Near-Infrared LED, Infrared LED, Red LED and Green LED, are titled at a small injection angle to induce a phase information in the optical signal. The optical photodetector is placed inside an optical lens and a closed black box, so the reflected optical response is recorded without any optical noise. A set of electrical biosensors, aligned in the blood flow direction, are used for measuring the electrical bio-signal response. A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature biosensor is placed at a radiation error-free distance for recording the body temperature and the thermal noise feedback. A foam base is placed in an unobstructive manner around the sensors and apparatus, which is utilized to reduce the motion errors.

Brief Description of the Artwork

[0014] FIG. 1 shows an optical apparatus design for direct transmission sensing;

[0015] FIG. 2 shows the isometric view of the direct transmission sensing optical apparatus with inverted configuration;

[0016] FIG. 3 is the direct transmission sensing optical instrument, with multijunction

photodetector configuration;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a multi-junction photodetector based transmission sensing optical device with inverted configuration;

[0018] FIG. 5 is the isometric view of the central photodetector based reflective optical

sensing apparatus;

[0019] FIG. 6 is the central photodetector based reflective optical sensing apparatus with multijunction photodetector configuration; [0020] FIG. 7 shows a wide-angle sensing reflective optical spectrometer apparatus;

[0021] FIG. 8 is the isometric view of wide-angle sensing based reflective optical

spectrometer apparatus, with multi-junction photodetector configuration;

[0022] FIG. 9 shows photodetector array based reflective optical sensing apparatus; and

[0023] FIG. 10A shows top isometric view of the titled reflective optical sensing

spectrometer; and

[0024] FIG. 10B shows the bottom view of the titled reflective optical sensing spectrometer.

Detailed Description of the invention

[0025] Comprehensively, the disclosure can be utilized and perceived in various applications that include medical sensing instruments, health management gadgets, soil health sensing devices, chemical sensing technology and material testing apparatuses. The principle of the described invention is not intended to limit to the specific device or instrumentation application. The disclosure can be chiefly classified into different optical apparatus designs for photo-sensing applications.

[0026] FIG. 1 is an optical apparatus design for direct transmission sensing. The optical signal probes of Near-IR LED 1, IR LED 2, Red LED 3 and Green LED 4 are assembled in a LED holder 5. The LED signal probes 1-2-3-4 with LED holder 5 is placed on the upper surface 13 for injecting signals. The signals probes of 1, 2, 3 and 4 are arranged in the blood direction for real-time sensing purpose. The optical lens 6 concentrates and focuses the response signal on the photodetector set of Near Infrared (Near-IR) photodetector 7 and Visible/Infrared photodetector 8. The photodetector set of 7-8 are placed adjacent and in alignment to each other in a photodetector holder 9. The photodetector holder 9 with photodetector set 7-8 is assembled on the bottom surface 14 for recording the output response. A non-contact MEMs NEMs temperature bio-sensor 10 is positioned away from the heat dissipation surface, which is utilized for recording noise-free bio-temperature and thermal feedback. A foam -based cushioning 11 surrounds the component area and rest of the apparatus, which helps in keeping better grip and reducing the contact vibrations. The device has a hollow cylindrical area 12 for holding the device securely on the sensing spot and for sensing sample placement. This design of the optical technology is intended to improve the accuracy, alleviate the radiation risks and reduce the power consumption. [0027] FIG. 2 is the comprehensive design of transmission sensing optical apparatus with inverted configuration. The optical signal probes of Near-IR LED 1, IR LED 2, Red LED 3 and Green LED 4 are assembled in a LED holder 5. The LED signal probes 1-2-3-4 with LED holder 5 is placed on the bottom surface 14 for injecting signals. The signals probes of 1, 2, 3 and 4 are arranged in the blood direction for real-time sensing purpose. The optical lens 6 concentrates and focuses the response signal on the photodetector set of Near Infrared photodetector 7 and Visible/Infrared (IR) photodetector 8. The photodetector set of 7-8 are placed adjacent to each other in a photodetector holder 9. The photodetector holder 9 with photodetector set 7-8 is assembled on the upper surface 13 for recording the output response . A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature bio-sensor 10 is positioned away from the heat dissipation surface and at the rim of the apparatus for recording noise-free bio -temperature and thermal feedback. A foam-based cushioning 11 surrounds the component area and rest of the apparatus, which helps in keeping better grip and reducing the contact vibrations. The hollow cylindrical area 12 of the apparatus is used for holding the apparatus securely on the sensing spot and the sample placement. Inverted configuration of the photodetector set 7-8 and LED signal probes 1-2-3-4 minimizes background noise in the optical response.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows the comprehensive design of direct transmission sensing optical instrument, with multijunction photodetector configuration. The optical signal probes of Near-IR LED 1, IR LED 2, Red LED 3 and Green LED 4 are assembled in a LED holder 5. The LED signal probes 1-2-3-4 with LED holder 5 is placed on the upper surface 13 for injecting signals. The signals probes of 1, 2, 3 and 4 are arranged in the blood direction for real-time sensing purpose. The optical lens 6 concentrates and focuses the response signal on the multijunction photodetector set 15 with Near Infrared photodetector 7 and Visible/Infrared photodetector 8. The photodetector set of 7 and 8 are assembled in multijunction configuration 15 with visible/Infrared Photodetector 8 on the top of the Near Infrared photodetector 7. The photodetector holder 9 with photodetector set 15 is placed on the bottom surface 14 for recording the output response. A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature bio-sensor 10 is positioned away from the heat dissipation surface for recording noise-free bio-temperature and thermal feedback. A foam-based cushioning 11 surrounds the component area and rest of the apparatus, which helps in keeping better grip and reducing the contact vibrations. The hollow cylindrical area 12 of the instrument is used for holding the device securely on the sensing spot and for sensing sample placement. [0029] FIG. 4 is a multijunction photodetector based transmission sensing optical device with inverted configuration. The optical signal probes of Near-IR LED 1, IR LED 2, Red LED 3 and Green LED 4 are assembled in a LED holder 5. The LED signal probes 1-2-3-4 with LED holder 5 is placed on the bottom surface 14 for injecting signals. The signals probes of 1, 2, 3 and 4 are arranged in the blood direction for real-time sensing purpose. The optical lens 6 concentrates and focuses the response signal on the multijunction photodetector set 15 with Near Infrared photodetector 7 and Visible/Infrared photodetector 8. The photodetector set of 7 and 8 are assembled in a tandem configuration 15 with Near-Infrared Photodetector 7 on the top of the visible/infrared photodetector 8. The photodetector holder 9 with photodetector set 15 is placed on the upper surface 13 for recording the output response. A non-contact MEMs NEMs temperature bio-sensor 10 is positioned away from the heat dissipation surface for recording noise-free bio-temperature and thermal feedback. A foam-based cushioning 11 surrounds the component area and rest of the apparatus, which helps in keeping better grip and reducing the contact vibrations. The device has a hollow cylindrical area 12 for holding the device securely on the sensing spot and for sample placement. The inverted configuration of the photodetector set 15 and LED signal probes 1-2-3-4 is chosen to minimize the background optical noise in the response recording.

[0030] FIG. 5 shows the isometric view of the central photodetector based reflective optical sensing apparatus. The set of signal probes of Near-Infrared LED 1, Infrared LED 2, Red LED 3 and Green LED 4 are arranged inside a focusing circular configuration 17 and at a noise-free reflection distance. The LED signal probes 1-2-3-4 are aligned in the blood flow direction and placed near the contact plane 16 for real-time biological sensing purposes. The reflected responses are captured by an optical lens system 18 located at the middle plane 19. The optical lens system 18 concentrates and focuses the reflected response on the photodetector set of Visible/IR Photodetector 8 - Near IR Photodetector 7 located at the displaced lower plane 20. The set of photodetectors of Visible/IR Photodetector 8 - Near IR Photodetector 7 are placed next to each other for recording the reflected optical response . A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature bio-sensor 10 is installed at a minimum distance from heat dissipation surface for recording the error-free body temperature and the thermal noise feedback. A foam base 11 is placed in an unobstructive manner around the sensors and apparatus to reduce the motion errors. This configuration of the optical spectrometer apparatus significantly reduces the power consumption and component use. [0031] FIG. 6 is the isometric view of the central photodetector based reflective optical sensing apparatus, with multi-junction photodetector arrangement. The set of signal probes of Near- Infrared LED 1, Infrared LED 2, Red LED 3 and Green LED 4 are arranged inside a focusing circular configuration 17 and at a noise-free reflection distance. The LED signal probes 1-2-3-4 are aligned in the blood flow direction and placed near the contact plane 16 for real-time biological sensing purpose. The reflected responses are captured by an optical lens system 18 located in the middle plane 19. The Visible/IR Photodetector 8 - Near IR Photodetector 7 are assembled in multijunction configuration 15 with visible/Infrared Photodetector 8 on the top of the Near Infrared photodetector 7. The optical lens system 18 concentrates and focuses the reflected response on the multi-junction photodetector set 15 located at the displaced lower plane 20. A non-contact MEMs NEMs temperature biosensor 10 is installed at a minimum distance from heat dissipation surface for recording the error-free body temperature and the thermal noise feedback. A foam base 11 is placed in an unobstructive manner around the sensors and apparatus to reduce the motion errors. This configuration of the apparatus further reduces the power consumption and component use.

[0032] FIG. 7 shows the isometric view of wide-angle sensing based reflective optical spectrometer apparatus. The LED signal probes of Near-IR LED 1, IR LED 2, Red LED 3 and Green LED 4 are placed within the light injection distance d. For real-time sensing purposes, the signal probes of 1, 2, 3 and 4 are aligned in the blood flow direction. The set of multiple optical lens 21-22-23-24 are placed at a noise-free responsive distance around the LED signal probes of 1-2-3-4. The set of Near-Infrared photodetectors 25-27-29-31 and visible photodetectors 26-28-30-32 are placed adjacent to each-other. The set of Near IR- visible/Infrared photodetectors 25-26, 27-28, 29-30 and 31-32 are arranged under their corresponding optical lens system set of 21-22-23-24 for recording the reflected response. A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature biosensor 10 is assembled at a minimum distance from heat dissipation surface of the apparatus, which is utilized for recording the temperature response and thermal noise feedback. The foam base 11 is placed in an unobstructive manner around the sensors and apparatus, which is utilized for reducing the motion errors and contact vibrations in the real-time biological sensing.

[0033] FIG. 8 is the isometric view of wide-angle sensing optical spectrometer apparatus with multijunction photodetector configuration. The LED signal probes of Near-IR LED 1, IR LED 2, Red LED 3 and Green LED 4 are placed within the light injection distance of d. For real-time sensing purposes, the signal probes of 1, 2, 3 and 4 are aligned in the blood flow direction. The set of multiple optical lens 21-22-23-24 are placed at a noise-free responsive distance around the LED signal probes of 1-2-3-4. The set of Near-Infrared photodetectors 25-27-29-31 and visible photodetectors 26-28-30-32 are assembled in multi-junction configuration of 33-34-35-36. The set of Near IR-visible/Infrared photodetectors 25-26, 27-28, 29-30 and 31-32 in multi-junction configuration of 33-34-35-

36 are arranged under their corresponding optical lens system set of 21-22-23-24. A non- contact MEMs/NEMs temperature biosensor 10 is assembled at a minimum distance from heat dissipation surface, which is utilized to record the temperature response and thermal noise feedback. A foam base 11 is placed in an unobstructive manner around the sensors and apparatus, for reducing the motion errors and increasing the multi-use efficiency.

[0034] FIG. 9 depicts the Photodiode Array based reflective optical sensing apparatus. The optical signal probes of Near-Infrared LED 1, Infrared LED 2, Red LED 3 and Green LED 4 of the optical spectrometer are aligned in blood flow direction within the light injection length. Photodiode array 37 comprising of visible, Infrared and Near-Infrared photodetectors are arranged in an array form around the LED set of 1, 2, 3 and 4. The LED set of 1-2-3-4 and photodetector array 37 are placed at an optimal distance to elude the internal reflection noise and to detect the response signal. The photodetector array assembly

37 is used to record the phase information, dispersion pattern and reflection pattern. A non- contact MEMs/NEMs temperature biosensor 10 is located at a minimum distance from heat dissipation surface, which is used for recording the radiation error-free body temperature and the thermal noise feedback.

[0035] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B is the design of the titled reflective optical sensing spectrometer.

The signal probes of Near-Infrared LED 1, Infrared LED 2, Red LED 3 and Green LED 4 are assembled in a titled position 38 along with an optical lens system 39, which injects the optical signal. The titled assembly 38 is utilized to induce a phase angle in the optical response. The reflected bio-signal is focused and recorded by the optical lens 41- photodetector set 40 encased in the black box 42. The set of electrodes of 43-44-45-46 are placed in a straight line with the electrical sensor 44 and electrical sensor 45 placed between the input electrical sensor 43 and draining electrode 46, which is utilized for extracting the electrical bio-response. A non-contact MEMs/NEMs temperature biosensor 10, for recording the body temperature and the thermal noise feedback, is placed at a radiation error-free distance from heat dissipation surface. [0036] The above described invention disclosure is intended for illustration purposes, and for those skilled in the art may instantly perceive numerous modifications, variations and equivalents. Therefore, the disclosure is not exhaustive in broader aspects and the invention is not intended to limit to specific details. All equivalents and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of disclosure and attached claims. Accordingly, additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention disclosure appended in the document, claims and their equivalents

Industrial Applicability

[0037] The described technology invention can be utilized for non-invasive bio-sensing, low- powered photo-sensing, phase recognition, dispersion sensing, chemical sensing, medical sensing, compound analysis, daily health tracking application, soil health sensing, material sensing, and other forms of in-vitro and in-vivo photo sensing applications.

Prior Art and Citation List

No relevant prior art exists.