Use of light transmission through tissue to sense joint flexure
AssigneeApplied Invention, LLC
InventorMichael Keesling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods of using light transmission thought living tissue, such as a finger, to detect the flexure of a joint. Light is introduced into the tissue at one point, passes through the tissue, and exits the tissue at a second point where a sensor receives the light as it exits the tissue. Transmission of light through living tissue such as a finger can be affected by movement of the finger. As the finger flexes and, for example, the joints of the finger change angle, the characteristics of the light exiting the tissue, such as the intensity of the light, can change. These changes in characteristics can be used as an indirect means of determining the flexure of the joint.
Claims10
An apparatus for determining flexure of a joint in living tissue comprising:
- a light source configured to introduce light into said living tissue proximate to the joint;
- a light sensing device configured to receive said light exiting said living tissue proximate to the joint;
- a processing device coupled to the light sensing device, the processing device configured to:
- receive a signal that represents a characteristic of said received light exiting said living tissue;
- analyze the signal that represents the characteristic of said received light exiting said living tissue to detect a change in optical density resulting from said flexure of said joint;
- and
- determine said flexure of said joint based at least in part on the characteristic of said received light exiting said living tissue;
- and
- a supporting object configured to provide mechanical support to the apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.