Patent Description:
Raman spectroscopic analysis is a general method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic chemicals such as powder or liquid drugs. Recently, Raman spectroscopy has been applied to a wider range of samples including the measurement of living organisms. A non-invasive biometric sensor, which is based on spectroscopic analysis techniques such as Raman spectroscopic analysis, may non-invasively measure physical properties of samples such as skin components or blood components, thereby improving user convenience. However, when the non-invasive biometric sensor using Raman spectroscopic analysis is used for human bodies, laser power density is generally limited to permissible levels according to national or international standards for the safe use of lasers on human bodies. A representative example of such standards is the Maximum Permissible Exposure as defined by ANSI Z136. <NUM>-<NUM>. A generally used Raman spectrometer is in the form of a microscope, and uses a total laser power of dozens of milliwatts (mWs) or more, which is condensed by using an object lens with high magnification, such that the laser power level exceeds the Maximum Permissible Exposure limit established in the ANSI Z136. <NUM>-<NUM> standard. Furthermore, the general Raman spectrometer has a large form factor, and thus has a low level of portability. Accordingly, there has been research on a compact Raman sensor for skin analysis, which provides similar performance compared to a large sensor even while meeting the Maximum Permissible Exposure limit, and which may be used more conveniently. <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> disclose apparatuses for measuring bio-components in skin comprising a Raman probe. The Raman probe comprises a plurality of light sources for emitting light towards respective reflection surfaces. The reflection surfaces reflect the light from the light sources towards points on the skin. The probe further comprises a light collector for collecting Raman scattered light, and a detector for detecting the collected Raman scattered light. The skin points illuminated by the reflected light are at a predetermined distance from a skin point corresponding to a center position of the detector. <CIT> describes a Raman probe for in-vivo determination of sub-surface tissue or fluid characteristics. The Raman probe comprises illumination optical fibers and collection optical fibers, wherein the illumination fibers may be arranged to illuminate multiple annular illumination regions having different radii.

The invention is directed to a Raman sensor as defined in claim <NUM> and to an apparatus for estimating a biocomponent comprising said Raman sensor as defined in claim <NUM>.

The relative size and depiction of these elements, features, and structures may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

It should be noted that wherever possible, the same reference symbols refer to the same elements, features, and structures, even in different drawings. In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein may be omitted so as to not obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Process steps described herein may be performed differently from a specified order, unless a specified order is clearly stated in the context of the disclosure. That is, each step may be performed in a specified order, at substantially the same time, or in a reverse order.

Further, the terms used throughout this specification are defined in consideration of the functions according to exemplary embodiments, and can be varied according to a purpose of a user or manager, or precedent and so on. Therefore, definitions of the terms should be made on the basis of the overall context.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. Any references to the singular form of a term may include the plural form of the term unless expressly stated otherwise. In the present specification, it should be understood that terms such as "including," "having," etc., are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added.

Further, components that will be described in the specification are discriminated merely according to functions mainly performed by the components. That is, two or more components which will be described later can be integrated into a single component. Furthermore, a single component can be separated into two or more components. Moreover, each component can additionally perform some or all of a function executed by another component in addition to the main function thereof. Some or all of the main function of each component can be carried out by another component. Each component may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a compact Raman sensor.

Referring to <FIG>, the compact Raman sensor <NUM> includes a light source assembly <NUM>, a light collector <NUM>, and a detector <NUM>.

The light source assembly <NUM> may emit a plurality of light beams to a plurality of skin points having a predetermined source-detector separation (SDS). In this case, the predetermined SDS may be, for example, a value greater than an effective radius of a sampling volume of the skin. Here, the SDS indicates a distance from a skin point, at which light emitted by the light source assembly <NUM> passes through a skin layer, to a skin point corresponding to a center position of the detector <NUM>. Further, the light source assembly <NUM> may emit each of the plurality of light beams within maximum permissible exposure limits. In this case, the intensity of light, emitted by the light source assembly <NUM>, may be configured to satisfy the maximum permissible exposure.

For example, if a maximum permissible exposure level is a (mW/mm<NUM>), an effective radius of a sampling volume is b (mm), and four light beams are emitted to the skin, the light source assembly <NUM> may emit the four light beams to four skin points, having an SDS of c (mm) (b<c), with an intensity corresponding to a/<NUM> (mW/mm<NUM>). That is, the light source assembly <NUM> may emit a first light beam to a first skin point having an SDS of c (mm) (b<c) with an intensity corresponding to a/<NUM> (mW/mm<NUM>), may emit a second light beam to a second skin point having an SDS of c (mm) (b<c) with an intensity corresponding to a/<NUM> (mW/mm<NUM>), may emit a third light beam to a third skin point having an SDS of c (mm) (b<c) with an intensity corresponding to a/<NUM> (mW/mm<NUM>), and may emit a fourth light beam to a fourth skin point having an SDS of c (mm) (b<c) with an intensity corresponding to a/<NUM> (mW/mm<NUM>).

The light source assembly <NUM> may include a plurality of light sources. Each light source may emit light of a predetermined wavelength, such as visible light or infrared light, to the skin. However, the light source is not limited thereto, and wavelengths of light emitted by each light source may vary depending on the purpose of measurement or types of analytes. Further, each light source may be a single light-emitting body, or may be formed of an array of a plurality of light-emitting bodies. If each light source is formed of a plurality of light-emitting bodies, then the plurality of light-emitting bodies may emit light of the same wavelength or light of different wavelengths. Further, the plurality of light-emitting bodies may be classified into a plurality of groups, and each group of the light-emitting bodies may emit light of different wavelengths. For example, each light source may include a light-emitting diode (LED), a laser diode (e.g., a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), etc.), and the like, but this is merely an example and the light source is not limited thereto.

The light source assembly <NUM> may further include a filter (e.g., a long pass filter, a clean up filter, a bandpass filter, etc.) for passing light of a specific wavelength and/or an optical element (e.g., a reflection surface, etc.) for directing the emitted light toward a desired position of the skin.

The light collector <NUM> may collect Raman scattered light from the skin. The light collector <NUM> may include a filter (e.g., a long pass filter, a clean up filter, etc.), a lens (e.g., a collimating lens, a focusing lens, etc.), a fiber, a waveguide, and the like.

The detector <NUM> may detect the Raman scattered light collected by the light collector <NUM>. For example, the detector <NUM> may include a photo diode, a photo transistor (PTr), an image sensor (e.g., a charge-coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), etc.), and the like. The detector <NUM> may be a single device, or may be formed of an array of a plurality of devices. Further, the detector <NUM> may include a filter for detecting light of various wavelengths.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the SDS may be changed to various values based on at least one of a type of bio-information to be measured, a wavelength band, a light intensity, and the shape, size, and computing performance of a device having the Raman sensor. Accordingly, a physical size of the Raman sensor may be adjusted by reducing or changing a light path, and the Raman sensor may be manufactured in a compact size.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a compact Raman sensor, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of light sources and reflection surfaces of the compact Raman sensor of <FIG>. The compact Raman sensor 100a of <FIG> and <FIG> may be an example of the compact Raman sensor <NUM> of <FIG>. Although <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example of eight light sources <NUM> and two reflection surfaces 112a and 112b, this is merely for convenience of explanation, and there is no limitation on the number of light sources and reflection surfaces.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the compact Raman sensor 100a includes the light source assembly <NUM>, the light collector <NUM>, and the detector <NUM>.

The light source assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of light sources <NUM>, a plurality of reflection surfaces <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>.

The plurality of light sources <NUM> may emit light of the same wavelength or light of different wavelengths. For example, all of the plurality of light sources <NUM> may emit light of the same wavelength or light of different wavelengths. Further, the plurality of light sources <NUM> may be classified into a plurality of groups, and each group of the light sources <NUM> may emit light of different wavelengths. In this case, the intensity of light, emitted by each of the plurality of light sources <NUM>, may be assigned to satisfy the maximum permissible exposure.

For example, referring to <FIG>, the plurality of light sources <NUM> may be arranged in a circle around the light collector <NUM> on an outer periphery of the light collector <NUM>. However, this is merely an example, and there is no limitation on the arrangement of the light sources. For example, the plurality of light sources <NUM> may be arranged in various polygonal shapes such as a triangle, a square, a pentagon, and the like, or may be arranged in a linear shape based on the light collector <NUM>, and the shape of the light sources <NUM> may be modified according to the shape of the Raman sensor.

The plurality of reflection surfaces <NUM> may reflect light emitted by the plurality of light sources <NUM>, and direct the light toward a plurality of skin points. In this case, the plurality of skin points may be points having an SDS greater than an effective radius r of a sampling volume <NUM> of skin <NUM>. The plurality of reflection surfaces <NUM> may be mirrors, but are not limited thereto, and may be objects which are surface-treated with various materials to have high reflectivity at a laser wavelength.

The plurality of reflection surfaces <NUM> may include a first reflection surface 112a and a second reflection surface 112b.

The first reflection surface 112a may reflect light beams L1 and L2 emitted by the plurality of light sources <NUM> in first directions D11 and D12. In this case, the first directions may be directions toward the center of the detector <NUM>.

The second reflection surface 112b may reflect the light beams, reflected by the first reflection surface 112a, in second directions D21 and D22. In this case, the second directions may be directions toward skin points near the sampling volume <NUM>, at which an SDS is greater than the effective radius r of the sampling volume <NUM> of the skin <NUM>.

The first reflection surface 112a and the second reflection surface 112b may be arranged in a concentric ring around the light collector <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, a radius of the first reflection surface 112a may be greater than a radius of the second reflection surface 112b. However, the first reflection surface 112a and/or the second reflection surface 112b may be formed in other shapes than as shown in <FIG>, and may be formed as separate surfaces corresponding to each light source.

Although <FIG> illustrates an example in which the first reflection surface 112a and the second reflection surface 112b are formed at the same angle, the first reflection surface 112a and the second reflection surface 112b may be formed at different angles. For example, at least a partial or entire second reflection surface 112b may be formed at a different reflection angle. For example, a reflection angle of the second reflection surface 112b for reflecting the light beam L1, emitted by the first light source <NUM>, in the second direction D21 may be set differently from a reflection angle of the second reflection surface 112b for reflecting the light beam L2, emitted by the second light source <NUM>, in the second direction D22. As described above, by adjusting the reflection angle of the second reflection surface 112b, all the light beams emitted by the plurality of light sources <NUM> may be incident on skin points that each have the same SDS, or may be incident on skin points that have at least some different SDS values.

The filter <NUM> may pass light of a specific wavelength, among the light beams reflected from the second reflection surface 112b. For example, the filter <NUM> may be a long pass filter, a clean up filter, a bandpass filter, and the like.

The filter <NUM> may have holes formed at the center thereof, so as to allow the light collector <NUM> to collect Raman scattered light from the skin <NUM>.

The light collector <NUM> may be disposed at the center of the compact Raman sensor 100a, to collect Raman scattered light from the skin <NUM>. The light collector <NUM> may include a light collecting shield <NUM>, a lens <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>.

The light collecting shield <NUM> is positioned in a light collection path between the skin <NUM> and the lens <NUM>, to prevent light other than the Raman scattered light, such as diffused light, from being collected.

The lens <NUM> may collimate the Raman scattered light having passed through the light collecting shield <NUM>. For example, the lens <NUM> may be a collimating lens.

The filter <NUM> may remove light of a specific wavelength from the collimated Raman scattered light. For example, the filter <NUM> may be a rejection filter such as a notch filter, a long-pass filter, and the like.

The detector <NUM> may detect the Raman scattered light having passed through the filter <NUM>. For example, the detector <NUM> may include a photo diode, a PTr, an image sensor (e.g., a CCD, a CMOS, etc.), and the like.

The number and positions of the light sources <NUM>, and the positions and angles of the first reflection surface 112a and the second reflection surface 112b are not limited to the examples illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, and may be set and changed to various values according to the purpose of measurement, an analyte, a device size, a desired SDS value, and the like.

<FIG> is a is a plan view schematically illustrating another example of an arrangement of light sources and reflection surfaces of the compact Raman sensor of <FIG>. Although <FIG> illustrates an example of eight light sources <NUM> and nine reflection surfaces 112a, 112c, and 112d, this is merely for convenience of explanation, and there is no limitation on the number of light sources <NUM> and reflection surfaces <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of light sources <NUM> may be divided into a first group and a second group according to wavelengths of the emitted light. A plurality of light sources 111a, included in the first group, may emit a first light beam of a first wavelength, and a plurality of light sources 111b, included in the second group, may emit a second light beam of a second wavelength. In this case, the first wavelength and the second wavelength may be different from each other.

The reflection surface <NUM> includes the first reflection surface 112a and the second reflection surface 112b, and the second reflection surface 112b includes a plurality of third reflection surfaces 112c and a plurality of fourth reflection surfaces 112d.

The third reflection surfaces 112c may reflect the first light beam, reflected by the first reflection surface 112a, toward a first skin point having a first SDS, and the fourth reflection surfaces 112d may reflect the second light beam, reflected by the first reflection surface 112a, toward a second skin point having a second SDS. In this case, the first SDS and the second SDS may be different values, and the first SDS may be, for example, a value smaller than the second SDS. The third reflection surfaces 112c and the fourth reflection surfaces 112d may be arranged in a concentric circle around the light collector <NUM>, but are not limited thereto. In this case, a radius of the fourth reflection surface 112d may be greater than a radius of the third reflection surface 112c.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, by arranging the reflection surfaces <NUM> in a plurality of circles having different radiuses, two-dimensional Raman images may be obtained according to various SDS values. Further, by using a plurality of light sources <NUM> which emit light of different wavelengths, two-dimensional Raman images may be obtained for various wavelengths. However, the Raman image is not limited thereto, and may also be obtained by using only one wavelength according to a type of an analyte and a signal band, and using different SDS values as illustrated in <FIG>. For example, moisture in a high wavelength region may be measured by using laser at a single wavelength of <NUM> nanometers (nm) or <NUM> and by analyzing a Raman scattered image according to two or more different SDS values. As described above, by analyzing the Raman image for a short SDS and the Raman image for a long SDS, a difference in moisture content between a portion located near the skin surface and a portion located relatively more inside the skin surface may be analyzed.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating another example of a structure of a compact Raman sensor, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of light sources and reflection surfaces of the compact Raman sensor of <FIG>. The compact Raman sensor 100b of <FIG> and <FIG> may be an example of the compact Raman sensor <NUM> of <FIG>. Although <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example of eight light sources <NUM> and one reflection surface <NUM>, this is merely for convenience of explanation, and there is no limitation on the number of light sources and reflection surfaces.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the compact Raman sensor 100b includes the light source assembly <NUM>, the light collector <NUM>, and the detector <NUM>.

The light source assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of light sources <NUM>, a reflection surface <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>.

The plurality of light sources <NUM> may emit light of the same wavelength or light of different wavelengths. For example, all the plurality of light sources <NUM> may emit light of the same wavelength or light of different wavelengths. Further, the plurality of light sources <NUM> may be classified into a plurality of groups, and each group of the light sources <NUM> may emit light of different wavelengths. In this case, the intensity of light, emitted by each of the plurality of light sources <NUM>, may be assigned to the plurality of light sources <NUM> to satisfy the maximum permissible exposure.

The plurality of light sources <NUM> may be arranged in a circle around the light collector <NUM> on an outer periphery of the light collector <NUM>. However, this is merely an example, and the shape thereof may be modified to various shapes such as a linear shape, a polygonal shape, and the like.

The reflection surface <NUM> may reflect light beams, emitted by the plurality of light sources <NUM>, to a plurality of skin points each having an SDS greater than the effective radius r of the sampling volume <NUM> of the skin <NUM>. The reflection surface <NUM> may be formed in a ring shape around the light collector <NUM>, but is not limited to the ring shape, and may be formed as separate surfaces corresponding to each of the plurality of light sources <NUM>.

The filter <NUM> may pass light of a specific wavelength, among the lights reflected by the reflection surface <NUM>. For example, the filter <NUM> may be a long pass filter, a clean up filter, a bandpass filter, and the like.

The light collector <NUM> may be disposed at the center of the compact Raman sensor 100b, to collect Raman scattered light from the skin <NUM>. The light collector <NUM> may include a light collecting shield <NUM>, a lens <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>.

The number and positions of the light sources <NUM>, and the position and angle of the reflection surface <NUM> are not limited to the examples illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, and may be set and changed to various values according to the purpose of measurement, an analyte, a device size, a desired SDS value, and the like.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating yet another example of a structure of a compact Raman sensor. The compact Raman sensor 100c of <FIG> may be an example of the compact Raman sensor <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the compact Raman sensor 100c includes the light source assembly <NUM>, the light collector <NUM>, and the detector <NUM>.

The light source assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of light sources <NUM> and a filter <NUM>.

The plurality of light sources <NUM> may emit light of the same wavelength or light of different wavelengths to a plurality of skin points having an SDS greater than the effective radius r of the sampling volume <NUM> of the skin <NUM>. For example, each of the plurality of light sources <NUM> may emit light of the same wavelength or light of different wavelengths. Further, the plurality of light sources <NUM> may be classified into a plurality of groups, and each group of the light sources <NUM> may emit light of different wavelengths. In this case, the intensity of light, emitted by each of the plurality of light sources <NUM>, may be assigned to the plurality of light sources <NUM> to meet the maximum permissible exposure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>. the plurality of light sources <NUM> may be arranged in a circle around the light collector <NUM> on an outer periphery of the light collector <NUM>. However, the shape of the light sources <NUM> is not limited thereto as described above.

The filter <NUM> may pass light of a specific wavelength, among the lights emitted by the plurality of light sources <NUM>. In this case, the filter <NUM> may be a long pass filter, a clean up filter, a bandpass filter, and the like. but is not limited thereto.

The light collector <NUM> may be disposed at the center of the compact Raman sensor 100c, to collect Raman scattered light from the skin <NUM>. The light collector <NUM> may include a light collecting shield <NUM>, a lens <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>.

The light collecting shield <NUM> is positioned in a light collection path between the skin <NUM> and the lens <NUM>, to prevent light other than the Raman scattered light, e.g., diffused light, from being collected.

The number and positions of the light sources <NUM> are not limited to the example illustrated in <FIG>, and may be set and changed to various values according to the purpose of measurement, an analyte, a device size, a desired SDS value, and the like.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating still another example of a structure of a compact Raman sensor, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of light sources and reflection surfaces of the compact Raman sensor of <FIG>. The compact Raman sensor 100d of <FIG> and <FIG> may be an example of the compact Raman sensor <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example of sixteen light sources 111a and 111b and two reflection surfaces 112a and 112b, in which the sixteen light sources 111a and 111b are divided into two groups. However, this is merely for convenience of explanation, and there is no limitation on the number of light sources, reflection surfaces, and groups.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the compact Raman sensor 100d includes the light source assembly <NUM>, the light collector <NUM>, and the detector <NUM>.

The plurality of light sources <NUM> may be divided into two groups according to the position of the light sources <NUM> and/or wavelengths of the emitted light. A plurality of first light sources 111a, included in a first group, may emit light of a first wavelength, and a plurality of second light sources 111b, included in a second group, may emit light of a second wavelength. In this case, the first wavelength and the second wavelength may be different from each other, and the intensity of light, emitted by each of the plurality of light sources <NUM>, may be assigned to the plurality of light sources <NUM> to satisfy the maximum permissible exposure.

The plurality of first light sources 111a, included in the first group, may be arranged in a circle around the light collector <NUM> on an outer periphery of the light collector <NUM>, and the plurality of second light sources 111b, included in the second group, may be arranged in a circle on an outer periphery of the plurality of first light sources 111a. The plurality of first light sources 111a included in the first group and the plurality of second light sources 111b included in the second group may be arranged in a concentric circle. However, the arrangement of the light sources is merely an example, and may be modified in various shapes according to an analyte to be measured and the like.

The plurality of reflection surfaces <NUM> may reflect light, emitted by the plurality of light sources <NUM>, toward a plurality of skin points having an SDS greater than the effective radius r of the sampling volume <NUM> of the skin <NUM>. The plurality of reflection surfaces <NUM> may include a first reflection surface 112a and a second reflection surface 112b.

The first reflection surface 112a may reflect light beams of the first wavelength, emitted by the plurality of first light sources 111a, in a first direction, and may reflect light beams of the second wavelength, emitted by the plurality of second light sources 111b, in the first direction. In this case, the first direction may be a direction toward the center of the detector <NUM>.

The second reflection surface 112b may reflect the light beams of the first wavelength, reflected by the first reflection surface 112a, in a second direction, and may reflect the light beams of the second wavelength, reflected by the first reflection surface 112a, in a third direction. In this case, the second direction may be a direction of a skin point having a first SDS, and the third direction may be a direction of a skin point having a second SDS. In this case, the first SDS and the second SDS may be different values, and may be values greater than the effective radius r of the sampling volume <NUM> of the skin <NUM>.

The first reflection surface 112a and the second reflection surface 112b may be arranged in a concentric ring around the light collector <NUM>. In this case, a radius of the first reflection surface 112a may be greater than a radius of the second reflection surface 112b. However, the first reflection surface 112a and the second reflection surface 112b are not limited thereto.

The filter <NUM> may pass light of a specific wavelength, among the lights reflected by the second reflection surface 112b. In one embodiment, the filter <NUM> may be a long pass filter, a clean up filter, a bandpass filter, and the like.

In one embodiment, the filter <NUM> may have holes formed at the center thereof, so as to allow the light collector <NUM> to collect Raman scattered light from the skin <NUM>.

The light collector <NUM> may be disposed at the center of the compact Raman sensor 100d, to collect Raman scattered light from the skin <NUM>. The light collector <NUM> may include a light collecting shield <NUM>, a lens <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>.

The detector <NUM> may detect the Raman scattered light having passed through the filter <NUM>. In one embodiment, the detector <NUM> may include a photo diode, a PTr, an image sensor (e.g., a CCD, a CMOS, etc.), and the like.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating still another example of a structure of a compact Raman sensor. The compact Raman sensor 100e of <FIG> may be an example of the compact Raman sensor <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the compact Raman sensor 100e includes the light source assembly <NUM>, the light collector <NUM>, and the detector <NUM>.

The light source assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of light sources 111and a filter <NUM>.

The plurality of light sources <NUM> may be divided into two groups according to the position of the light sources <NUM> and/or wavelengths of the emitted light. A plurality of light sources Illa, included in a first group, may emit light of a first wavelength to a plurality of skin points having a first SDS, and a plurality of light sources 111b, included in a second group, may emit light of a second wavelength to a plurality of skin points having a second SDS. In this case, the first wavelength and the second wavelength may be different from each other, and the intensity of light, emitted by each of the plurality of light sources <NUM>, may be assigned to the plurality of light sources <NUM> to satisfy the maximum permissible exposure. Further, the first SDS and the second SDS may be values greater than the effective radius r of the sampling volume <NUM> of the skin <NUM>.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the plurality of light sources 111a, included in the first group, may be arranged in a circle around the light collector <NUM> on an outer periphery of the light collector <NUM>, and the plurality of light sources 111b, included in the second group, may be arranged in a circle on an outer periphery of the plurality of light sources 111a included in the first group. In this case, the plurality of light sources 111a included in the first group and the plurality of light sources 111b included in the second group may be arranged in a concentric circle or in a polygonal shape. As described above, by providing the plurality of light sources which are arranged to emit light to two or more skin points having different SDS values, reflection surfaces may be omitted, and the Raman sensor may be manufactured in a compact size.

The filter <NUM> may pass light of a specific wavelength, among the lights emitted by the plurality of light sources <NUM>. In one embodiment, the filter <NUM> may be a long pass filter, a clean up filter, a bandpass filter, and the like.

The light collector <NUM> may be disposed at the center of the compact Raman sensor 100e, to collect Raman scattered light from the skin <NUM>. The light collector <NUM> may include a light collecting shield <NUM>, a lens <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>.

In the above descriptions of <FIG>, the light sources <NUM> and the reflection surfaces <NUM> are fixed, but are not limited thereto. That is, the light sources <NUM> and/or the reflection surfaces <NUM> may move or rotate according to a predetermined control signal, and Raman scattered light may be detected for various SDS values by the movement or rotation of the light sources <NUM> and/or the reflection surfaces <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus for estimating a bio-component.

The apparatus <NUM> for estimating a bio-component may be embedded in an electronic device or may be enclosed in a housing to be provided as a separate device. In this case, examples of the electronic device may include a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, an MP3 player, a digital camera, a wearable device, and the like; and examples of the wearable device may include a wristwatch-type wearable device, a wristband-type wearable device, a ring-type wearable device, a waist belt-type wearable device, a necklace-type wearable device, an ankle band-type wearable device, a thigh band-type wearable device, a forearm band-type wearable device, and the like. However, the electronic device is not limited to the above examples, and the wearable device is neither limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> for estimating a bio-component includes the compact Raman sensor <NUM> and a processor <NUM>. The compact Raman sensor <NUM> is described above with reference to <FIG>, such that detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The processor <NUM> may control the overall operation of the apparatus <NUM> for estimating a bio-component, and may process various signals associated with the operation of the apparatus <NUM> for estimating a bio-component.

The processor <NUM> may drive each light source of the compact Raman sensor <NUM> sequentially or simultaneously according to a predetermined control signal. In this case, the processor <NUM> may drive each light source of the compact Raman sensor <NUM> by referring to predetermined light source driving conditions. In this case, the light source driving conditions may include an emission time, a driving sequence, a current intensity, a pulse duration, and the like, of each light source.

The processor <NUM> may obtain a two-dimensional Raman image of the skin based on Raman scattered light detected by the compact Raman sensor <NUM>. When a light source and/or a reflection surface of the compact Raman sensor <NUM> are capable of moving or rotating, the processor <NUM> may obtain the two-dimensional Raman image for various SDS values by moving or rotating the light source and/or the reflection surface according to a predetermined control signal.

The processor <NUM> may estimate a bio-component of an object by analyzing the obtained two-dimensional Raman image. Here, the bio-component may include blood components such as blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, protein, lipid, uric acid, etc., and components in the skin such as moisture, collagen, keratin, elastin, etc..

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating another example of an apparatus for estimating a bio-component.

Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> for estimating a bio-component includes the compact Raman sensor <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, an input interface <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, a communication interface <NUM>, and an output interface <NUM>. The compact Raman sensor <NUM> and the processor <NUM> are described above with reference to <FIG>, such that detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The input interface <NUM> may receive input of various operation signals from a user. In one embodiment, the input interface <NUM> may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad (e.g., a static pressure touch pad, a capacitive touch pad, and the like), a jog wheel, a jog switch, a hardware (H/W) button, and the like. Particularly, the touch pad, which forms a layer structure with a display, may be referred to as a touch screen.

The storage <NUM> may store programs or commands for operation of the apparatus <NUM> for estimating a bio-component, and may store data input to and processed by the apparatus <NUM> for estimating a bio-component. Further, the storage <NUM> may store the two-dimensional Raman image of the skin and/or estimated bio-information, and the like.

The storage <NUM> may include at least one storage medium of a flash memory type memory, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) memory, an extreme digital (XD) memory, etc.), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk, and the like. Further, the apparatus <NUM> for estimating a bio-component may access an external storage medium, such as web storage and the like, which performs a storage function of the storage <NUM> on the Internet.

The communication interface <NUM> may communicate with an external device. For example, the communication interface <NUM> may transmit data input by a user, the obtained two-dimensional Raman image data and/or bio-information to the external device, or may receive various data for obtaining two-dimensional Raman image data and/or estimating bio-information from the external device.

In this case, the external device may be medical equipment using the data input by a user, the obtained two-dimensional Raman image data and/or bio-information, a printer to print out results, or a display to display the results. In addition, the external device may be a digital television (TV), a desktop computer, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, an MP3 player, a digital camera, a wearable device, and the like, but the external device is not limited thereto.

The communication interface <NUM> may communicate with the external device by using Bluetooth communication, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, Near Field Communication (NFC), wireless local area network (WLAN) communication, Zigbee communication, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) Direct (WFD) communication, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) communication, Ant+ communication, Wi-Fi communication, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) communication, third generation (<NUM>), fourth generation (<NUM>), and fifth generation (<NUM>) telecommunications, and the like. However, this is merely exemplary and not intended to be limiting.

The output interface <NUM> may output the data input by a user, the obtained two-dimensional Raman image data and/or bio-information. In one embodiment, the output interface <NUM> may output the data input by a user, the obtained two-dimensional Raman image data and/or bio-information by using at least one of an acoustic method, a visual method, and a tactile method. For example, the output interface <NUM> may include a display, a speaker, a vibrator, and the like.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a wrist-type wearable device.

Referring to <FIG>, the wrist-type wearable device <NUM> includes a strap <NUM> and a main body <NUM>.

The strap <NUM> may be connected to both ends of the main body <NUM> so as to be fastened in a detachable manner or may be integrally formed therewith as a smart band. The strap <NUM> may be made of a flexible material to be wrapped around a user's wrist so that the main body <NUM> may be worn on the wrist.

The main body <NUM> may include the aforementioned apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM> for estimating a bio-component. Further, the main body <NUM> may include a battery which supplies power to the apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM> for estimating a bio-component.

The compact Raman sensor <NUM> may be mounted at the bottom of the main body <NUM> to be exposed to a user's wrist. Accordingly, when a user wears the wrist-type wearable device <NUM>, the compact Raman sensor <NUM> may naturally come into contact with the user's skin. In this case, the compact Raman sensor <NUM> may emit light onto the skin, and may collect and detect Raman scattered light from the skin.

The wrist-type wearable device <NUM> may further include a display <NUM> and an input interface <NUM> which are mounted on the main body <NUM>. The display <NUM> may display data processed by the apparatuses <NUM> and <NUM> for estimating a bio-component and/or the wrist-type wearable device <NUM>, processing result data thereof, and the like. The input interface <NUM> may receive various operation signals from a user.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by computer-readable code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium and executed by a processor. Code and code segments for implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure may be deduced by computer programmers of ordinary skill in the art. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be any type of recording device in which data is stored in a computer-readable manner. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical disk, and the like. Further, the non-transitory computer-readable medium may be distributed over a plurality of computer systems connected to a network so that code is written thereto and executed therefrom in a decentralized manner.

Claim 1:
A Raman sensor (<NUM>, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e) comprising:
a light source assembly (<NUM>) having a plurality of light sources (<NUM>, 111a, 111b) configured to emit light to a plurality of skin points of skin, each of the plurality of skin points (<NUM>) having a predetermined separation distance (SDS, SDS1, SDS2) from a light collection region of the skin from which Raman scattered light is collected, wherein the predetermined separation distance indicates a distance from a skin point, at which light emitted by the light source assembly passes through a skin layer, to a skin point corresponding to a center position of a detector (<NUM>);
a light collector (<NUM>) configured to collect the Raman scattered light from the light collection region of the skin; and
the detector (<NUM>) configured to detect the collected Raman scattered light,
wherein the light source assembly further comprises a reflection surface (<NUM>) for reflecting the light, emitted by the plurality of light sources (<NUM>), toward the plurality of skin points;
characterized in that the reflection surface (<NUM>) comprises:
a first reflection surface (112a) for reflecting the light, emitted by the plurality of light sources, in a predetermined direction; and
a second reflection surface (112b) for reflecting the light, reflected by the first reflection surface, toward the plurality of skin points,
wherein the second reflection surface comprises:
a third reflection surface (112c) for reflecting a first light beam, reflected by the first reflection surface, toward a first skin point having a first predetermined separation distance; and
a fourth reflection surface (112d) for reflecting a second light beam, reflected by the first reflection surface, toward a second skin point having a second predetermined separation distance,
wherein the third reflection surface and the fourth reflection surface are arranged in a concentric circle, and
wherein a radius of the third reflection surface and a radius of the fourth reflection surface are different from each other.