Tomography and targeted energy thermal therapy system and method based on acousto-optic coupling functional film layer

Abstract

The invention discloses a tomography and targeted energy thermal therapy system and method based on an acousto-optic coupling functional film layer, and relates to the technical field of noninvasive medical diagnosis and treatment. The system comprises an intelligent processing carrier, an acousto-optic coupling function film layer, a scanning mechanism, an energy treatment module and a processing and temperature control module. The intelligent processing carrier at least comprises a 20Hz-20kHz audio unit, a pickup unit, an optical signal unit and a processor; the acousto-optic coupling functional film layer is of a single physical structure and is inseparable, acoustic frequency conversion focusing imaging and targeted warm delivery at 42-47 DEG C are achieved in the same physical area in a time-sharing mode, the acoustic processing layer achieves 1000-8000 frequency doubling through a multi-stage resonance microcavity array, and the echo signal-to-noise ratio is larger than or equal to 15 dB; the scanning mechanism comprises a plurality of modes such as rotation, translation, multi-device array, human body movement, local limb movement, human body bearing support device movement and the like; the energy forms cover all types of light, electromagnetism, radio frequency and the like capable of generating a warm effect, including but not limited to non-contact or contact energy delivery modes. The traditional Chinese medicine composition is suitable for tumors, infections, inflammations, and all lesions sensitive to temperature of 42-47 DEG C including nervous system lesions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and the like, is low in cost, free of radiation and easy to popularize, and has extremely high creativity and practical value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the fields of non-invasive medical imaging, acoustic-optical coupling, and targeted energy hyperthermia. Specifically, it refers to an integrated system and method that relies on any intelligent processing device equipped with acoustic and optical units to achieve tomographic imaging and localization of human tissue / body fluid through an acoustic-optical coupling functional membrane layer, and delivers targeted energy of any form to the lesion / infection site through the same membrane layer to achieve local hyperthermia treatment at 42℃–47℃. It is applicable to all diseased tissues and cells sensitive to 42℃-47℃ hyperthermia. Background Technology

[0002] Existing medical imaging and treatment equipment generally suffers from problems such as high cost, large size, separation of imaging and treatment functions, high invasiveness, or contraindications to ionizing radiation / strong magnetic fields; conventional smart terminals (such as mobile phones, tablets, etc.) do not have the ability to transmit and receive medical ultrasound frequencies, and cannot achieve an integrated closed loop of deep tissue / body fluid imaging and targeted hyperthermia.

[0003] Clinical and basic research has confirmed that maintaining the temperature of the lesion area at 42℃–47℃ can effectively induce apoptosis / inactivation of cancer cells, virus-infected cells, and abnormally proliferating cells, while maximally protecting surrounding normal tissues. The 42℃-47℃ thermodynamic effect has been proven effective against cancer cells, virus-infected cells, and abnormally proliferating cells. Clinical studies have confirmed that 42℃-45℃ can induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells (reference: Int J Hyperthermia, 2022), and 43℃-47℃ can inactivate HIV-infected cells (reference: J Virol, 2021). This thermodynamic effect is applicable to various diseases such as solid tumors, hematological malignancies (e.g., leukemia), viral infections (e.g., HIV), chronic inflammation, and fibrotic lesions. Current technologies do not disclose a low-cost, universally applicable integrated diagnostic and treatment solution that combines "acoustic-optical transmission imaging, flexible / integrated functional membranes, arbitrary targeted energy delivery, and thermodynamic therapy for all diseases." Summary of the Invention

[0004] (I) System Composition 1. Intelligent processing carrier Including but not limited to smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, all-in-one medical devices, embedded processing devices, dedicated diagnostic and treatment hosts, and mobile diagnostic and treatment terminals; core features: the intelligent processing carrier has at least: a unit capable of generating 20Hz-20kHz audio / vibration signals, a pickup unit capable of collecting echo signals, a unit capable of transmitting / receiving optical signals or positioning calibration signals, and a processor capable of performing signal processing and control, which can be adapted to this system without hardware modification; among which, the optical signal is mainly used for positioning calibration, which is not essential and can be replaced by other methods.

[0005] 2. Acousto-optic coupling functional membrane layer The membrane layer is the core functional structure for realizing acousto-optic imaging and targeted energy coupling delivery. Its forms include, but are not limited to: flexible independent membrane; rigid composite membrane; structural layer that is built into, integrated, or integrally formed when the intelligent processing carrier leaves the factory; coating, plating, or deposited thin film on the surface of the carrier; functional thin film components embedded in the carrier shell, probe, and lens cover; and single-layer or multi-layer composite structures.

[0006] Regardless of the material, process, flexibility / rigidity, or assembly method (film / integration / built-in / coating), as long as the acoustic frequency conversion / focusing, imaging signal transmission, and targeted energy delivery functions described in this invention are achieved, they fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0007] The membrane layer comprises at least the following: a coupling matching layer: biocompatible materials (medical hydrophilic gel, optical resin, etc.) to achieve acoustic, optical, and energy impedance matching and eliminate air loss; an acoustic processing layer: a multi-level resonant microcavity array, each resonant cavity consisting of a micron-sized thin film and an air gap, with a film thickness of 0.5-5μm and an air gap thickness of 1-10μm. Frequency multiplication is achieved through film vibration, doubling the 20Hz–20kHz low-frequency signal to the 2MHz–10MHz medical ultrasound frequency band. The single-level doubling factor is 10-20, and three levels in series can achieve 1000-8000 times doubling, realizing sound wave collimation, focusing, and transmission; the echo, after frequency downsampling, can be acquired by the pickup unit, with an echo signal-to-noise ratio ≥15dB; an optical / energy conduction layer: conducts imaging light signals and simultaneously achieves coupling and focusing delivery of targeted energy in any form; and an acoustic-optical isolation layer: avoids crosstalk between imaging signals and treatment energy. The total membrane layer thickness is 0.05mm–5mm.

[0008] 3. Scanning mechanism Achieve relative scanning between the carrier / membrane layer and the human body / body fluid, including: 360° rotation, horizontal / vertical translation, arc swing, multi-device fixed surround array, and human body or local limb movement.

[0009] 4. Energy Healing Module It provides targeted thermotherapy energy in forms including but not limited to: visible light, near-infrared light, laser, electromagnetic energy, radio frequency, microwave, ultrasound, plasma, capacitive coupling, resistance heating, induction heating and other energy forms that can produce local thermal effects (42℃–47℃).

[0010] 5. Processing and Temperature Control Module It achieves: signal acquisition, noise reduction, tomographic image reconstruction, precise lesion / infection focus localization, time-sharing control of imaging and treatment, energy output regulation, and closed-loop temperature control of 42℃–47℃; equipped with a miniature temperature sensor (which can be integrated into the membrane layer) to monitor the temperature of the treatment area in real time, ensuring safety and effectiveness.

[0011] (II) Working Methods 1. Membrane configuration: The acoustic-optic coupling functional membrane layer is configured in any way on the corresponding area of ​​the acoustic and optical units of the carrier (film, built-in, integrated, coated, embedded, etc.) to ensure that the coupling matching layer is tightly attached to the human body / body fluid and eliminate air gaps.

[0012] 2. Global scanning imaging: Global scanning is completed through rotation, translation, arc swing, multi-device array, or movement of the human body or local limbs; the carrier outputs a low-frequency signal, which is frequency-doubled by the membrane layer to become focused ultrasound and transmitted to the human body / body fluid; the echo is acquired after being frequency-reduced by the membrane layer, and the processing module reconstructs tomographic images to accurately locate solid tumors, hematologic lesions, viral infection foci, and inflammatory areas.

[0013] 3. Time-segmented isolation hyperthermia: Imaging and treatment are strictly performed in time-segmented to avoid energy crosstalk; the acoustic imaging channel is closed before treatment; based on positioning coordinates, any form of targeted energy is delivered to the lesion / infection site through the same physical area of ​​the same membrane layer, and the temperature control module stabilizes the area temperature at 42℃–47℃ to achieve thermal inactivation / apoptosis induction of diseased cells (cancer cells, virus-infected cells, abnormally proliferating cells).

[0014] 4. Treatment of deep / multiple lesions / systemic lesions: Deep lesions (>3cm): Multi-device, multi-angle synergy, energy superposition; Hematologic tumors / systemic infections: Whole-body / multi-regional distributed hyperthermia, achieving full coverage and precise temperature control through multi-device arrays; Multiple lesions: Zoned and fractional targeted hyperthermia.

[0015] 5. Effect verification and data recording: Delayed cooling after treatment, restarting the imaging channel to verify the effect; recording images, energy parameters, and temperature curves throughout the process for use in treatment optimization and efficacy evaluation.

[0016] (III) Beneficial Effects 1. Wide range of carriers: This system can be adapted to various electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, computers, all-in-one machines, and special equipment, covering a variety of application scenarios.

[0017] 2. Diverse membrane adaptability: The material, shape, and assembly method of the membrane can be flexibly selected. As long as the core function described in this invention is achieved, it falls within the protection scope of this invention.

[0018] 3. Diverse energy forms: This system can be adapted to various energy forms that can produce a thermal effect of 42℃–47℃, such as light, electromagnetic, radio frequency, microwave, ultrasound, and plasma.

[0019] 4. Wide range of applicable diseases: It can be used for a variety of disease types that are sensitive to temperature of 42℃-47℃, such as solid tumors, hematological tumors, viral infections, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis.

[0020] 5. Outstanding core innovation: The same physical area of ​​the same functional membrane layer achieves integrated "acoustic imaging positioning + targeted thermal delivery", which is different from the existing separate imaging and treatment schemes and has clear innovation.

[0021] 6. Low cost, high safety, and easy to popularize: No ionizing radiation, no strong magnetic field contraindications, temperature control strictly follows clinical safety standards, portable and low cost, and can be used in all scenarios including home, primary care, and hospital. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Example 1: Smartphone + Flexible Film + Near Infrared Photothermal (Solid Tumor / Superficial Infection) The membrane can be applied to the speaker, microphone, and camera areas of mobile phones; it can also be applied close to superficial lesions on the human body (breast, thyroid, skin tumors, herpes infection lesions); it uses an arc-shaped oscillating scanning imaging method; after positioning, it delivers near-infrared energy through the membrane, with temperature control at 42℃–47℃, to achieve thermal inactivation of cancer cells / virus-infected cells; it is suitable for home self-examination and primary care screening.

[0023] Example 2: Integrated medical device + integrated membrane + radiofrequency / electromagnetic (deep solid tumors / systemic infections) The membrane layer is integrated into the all-in-one probe; rotational scanning completes imaging of deep organs (liver, kidney, lung) such as the abdomen and chest, as well as systemic infectious foci; multiple all-in-one units are arranged at multiple angles, and through membrane-coupled radio frequency / electromagnetic energy, it realizes full-area thermotherapy of deep tumors and systemic infectious foci, with closed-loop controllable temperature control; suitable for hospital specialty and infectious disease diagnosis and treatment; tested with a standard ultrasound phantom (ATS539) under the following conditions: temperature 25℃, humidity 50%, repeated test 10 times, at a working frequency of 2MHz, the echo signal-to-noise ratio is 16.2±1.3dB; actual measurement shows that the three-stage cascaded frequency doubling efficiency is stable, and the 2MHz output power meets the clinical ultrasound imaging needs.

[0024] Example 3: Specialized equipment + coating film + microwave (leukemia / hematologic malignancy) The membrane is prepared on the detection surface of a dedicated device in the form of a coating. A multi-device whole-body array scan is used to locate lesions in the blood system and abnormal proliferative areas throughout the body. The multi-device array employs zoned irradiation, intermittent cooling, and real-time temperature control. Infrared thermal imaging is used to monitor the body surface temperature in real time. Combined with a finite element thermal simulation model, the output power of each device is dynamically adjusted to ensure that the target area temperature is stable at 42-47℃ and the normal tissue temperature is ≤40℃, ensuring uniform body temperature (temperature gradient ≤1℃) and avoiding overheating of normal tissues. Microwave energy is delivered through the membrane to stabilize the whole-body / local temperature at 42℃–47℃, inducing apoptosis of leukemia cells and degradation of fusion proteins. Only the membrane material and assembly method are changed, without departing from the core principle of this invention.

[0025] Example 4: Multi-device hybrid array + combined energy (HIV infection / multiple metastatic tumors) The device combines mobile phones, tablets, and all-in-one machines with a hybrid acoustic-optical coupling membrane layer to form a distributed array around the human body. It collaboratively scans and locates HIV-infected lesions, multiple metastatic tumors, and systemic inflammatory areas. It delivers a combination of near-infrared, radiofrequency, and microwave energy sequentially to the lesions, achieving multi-lesion zoned thermal inactivation. It is suitable for the treatment of advanced tumors, HIV infection, and systemic multi-lesion lesions.

[0026] Example 5: Embedded host + embedded membrane + ultrasound (chronic inflammation / fibrosis) The membrane is embedded in the probe end of the embedded host; it scans and locates areas of chronic inflammation, liver fibrosis, and tissue hyperplasia; it delivers focused ultrasound energy through the membrane, with temperature control at 42℃–47℃, to achieve inflammation reduction, fibrosis reversal, and abnormal cell inactivation; it only replaces the carrier and membrane assembly method, without departing from the core principle of the invention.

Claims

1. A tomographic imaging and targeted energy hyperthermia system based on an acousto-optic coupling functional membrane, characterized in that, The system includes an intelligent processing carrier, an acoustic-optical coupling functional membrane, a scanning mechanism, an energy therapy module, and a processing and temperature control module. The intelligent processing carrier can be any electronic device equipped with an acoustic unit, a sound pickup unit, an optical unit, and a processor, including but not limited to mobile phones, tablets, computers, all-in-one medical devices, embedded terminals, and dedicated diagnostic and treatment hosts. The intelligent processing carrier must at least possess: a unit capable of generating 20Hz-20kHz audio / vibration signals, a sound pickup unit capable of acquiring echo signals, a unit capable of transmitting / receiving optical signals or positioning calibration signals, and a processor capable of performing signal processing and control. The acoustic-optic coupling functional membrane layer is configured in any form on the carrier, including flexible film, rigid film, device built-in layer, integrated structure layer, surface coating, coating or shell embedded component; the membrane layer is a single physical structure that simultaneously realizes: (1) acoustic wave frequency conversion, focusing and transmission tomographic imaging of human tissue / body fluid; (2) delivery of any form of targeted energy to lesions / infection sites to achieve local thermotherapy at 42℃–47℃; the imaging and treatment functions are realized by the same physical area of ​​the same membrane layer in a time-sharing manner, the membrane layer is a single physical structure and cannot be divided into independent functional modules; the The scanning mechanism includes at least one of the following: rotation, translation, arc swing, multi-device fixed array, human body movement, local limb movement, and movement of the support device carrying the human body; the targeted energy includes light, laser, infrared, electromagnetic, radio frequency, microwave, ultrasound, plasma, and energy forms that can produce a local thermal effect of 42℃–47℃, including but not limited to non-contact or contact energy delivery methods; the processing and temperature control module realizes lesion / infection focus localization, imaging and treatment time-sharing control, energy output adjustment, and 42℃–47℃ closed-loop temperature control; the acoustic processing layer of the membrane adopts multi-level harmonic... The microcavity array has a single-stage frequency doubling coefficient of 10-20, and three stages in series can achieve a frequency doubling of 1000-8000. Actual measurements show that the three-stage series frequency doubling efficiency is stable, and the 2MHz output power meets the needs of clinical ultrasound imaging. The acoustic processing layer of the membrane is composed of alternating micron-sized thin films and air gaps, with a film thickness of 0.5-5μm and an air gap thickness of 1-10μm. Frequency doubling is achieved through film vibration, doubling the 20Hz–20kHz low-frequency signal to the 2MHz–10MHz medical ultrasound frequency band. After the echo is down-frequencyd, it can be acquired by the pickup unit, with an echo signal-to-noise ratio ≥15dB.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material, flexible / rigid form, molding process, and assembly method (film application / integration / built-in / coating / deposition) of the acoustic-optic coupling functional membrane layer, as long as they achieve the acoustic frequency conversion focusing, imaging conduction, and targeted heat delivery functions described in this invention, all fall within the protection scope of this invention.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The membrane layer can be built-in or integrated into the carrier at the factory, or it can be attached to the user end, and the protection range is not limited by the timing and method of assembly.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system employs a time-sharing isolation mechanism for imaging and treatment. The acoustic imaging channel is closed before treatment, and the imaging channel is restarted after a 5-second cooling delay to verify the treatment effect, thus avoiding energy crosstalk.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature control module is equipped with a miniature temperature sensor that can be integrated into the membrane layer to monitor the temperature of the treatment area in real time and regulate the energy output in a closed loop, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the 42℃–47℃ thermotherapy.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It can be used to work in collaboration with one or more carriers of any type, and achieve full-area thermotherapy for deep lesions (>3cm), hematologic tumors, systemic infections, and multiple metastatic lesions through multi-device and multi-angle energy superposition. The methods include, but are not limited to, multi-device collaboration, single device with multiple output heads, multi-device time-sharing irradiation, and multi-device and multi-angle energy superposition.

7. A method for tomographic imaging and targeted energy hyperthermia based on an acousto-optic coupling functional membrane, characterized in that, The process includes: Step 1: In any intelligent processing carrier, an acoustic-optical coupling functional membrane layer (film, built-in, integrated, coated, plated, embedded, etc.) is configured in any manner corresponding to the acoustic and optical units. The intelligent processing carrier shall at least possess: a unit capable of generating 20Hz-20kHz audio / vibration signals, a pickup unit capable of acquiring echo signals, a unit capable of transmitting / receiving optical signals or positioning calibration signals, and a processor capable of performing signal processing and control; Step 2: A full-area scan of human tissue / fluid is completed using a scanning mechanism (including rotation, translation, arc swing, multi-device fixed array, human body movement, local limb movement, and movement of the support device carrying the human body) or a multi-device array. Tomographic imaging is achieved using the membrane layer's acoustic wave frequency conversion focusing function (multi-level resonant microcavity array, single-level frequency doubling coefficient 10-20, film thickness 0.5-5μm, air gap thickness 1-10μm) to accurately locate solid tumors, hematological malignancies, HIV and other viral infection foci, and inflammatory areas (only for lesions sensitive to 42℃-47℃ temperature). (Cells); Step 3: Imaging and treatment are strictly time-separated. Before treatment, the acoustic imaging channel is closed. Targeted energy of any form is delivered to the lesion / infection site through the same physical area of ​​the same membrane layer. The targeted energy includes light, laser, infrared, electromagnetic, radio frequency, microwave, ultrasound, plasma, and energy forms that can produce a local thermal effect of 42℃–47℃, including but not limited to non-contact or contact energy delivery methods. The temperature control module stabilizes the temperature of the treatment area at 42℃–47℃ to achieve thermal inactivation / apoptosis induction of diseased cells; Step 4: Delayed cooling after treatment, restarting the imaging channel to verify the treatment effect, and recording diagnostic and treatment data throughout the process; Step 5: For deep, blood, systemic, or multiple lesions, multi-device collaboration and energy superposition are used to achieve full-area thermal therapy. The implementation methods include but are not limited to multi-device collaboration, single device with multiple output heads, multi-device time-separated irradiation, and multi-device multi-angle energy superposition; Changes in the membrane layer form, carrier type, type of treatment energy, and applicable diseases in the above steps do not depart from the core protection scope of this invention.