Diffuse Acoustic Confocal Imager for Tissue Phase Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies, such as X-ray and ultrasound, are limited in their ability to provide detailed information about an object's internal structure, particularly in terms of temperature, composition, and phase, which are crucial for diagnosing and treating diseases like cancer.
Innovation Solution
The development of a diffuse acoustic confocal imager that uses a coherent acoustic beam focused to a virtual source, allowing for the detection of both amplitude and phase of scattered beams, enabling the creation of three-dimensional images that provide information on density, temperature, composition, and other properties of tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional imaging techniques like X-ray or ultrasound are used, then the imaging process is simple and widely available, but the information obtained is limited to density or intensity differences without temperature, composition, or phase information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement capabilities (amplitude detection and phase detection) into a single acoustic imaging system. The system simultaneously measures both amplitude and phase of acoustic beams passing through tissue, merging functions that were previously performed by separate imaging modalities to comprehensively characterize tissue properties including temperature, composition, and phase
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic imaging system is designed to perform multiple diagnostic functions using a single system. It can measure density (amplitude), temperature (phase), composition (phase), and elasticity (phase) of tissues, making the system universal for various diagnostic applications without requiring multiple separate devices
2Measurement precision
If acoustic beams are used to measure phase information for temperature and composition, then detailed tissue characterization is achieved, but the system becomes more complex and less widely available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses acoustic beams as an intermediary to indirectly measure temperature and composition. Instead of directly measuring these properties, the system measures the phase shift of acoustic beams passing through tissue, which are modified by the tissue's refractive index (dependent on temperature and composition). This intermediary approach enables precise measurement while maintaining system feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex direct measurement mechanisms for temperature and composition with acoustic phase measurement. Instead of using separate temperature sensors or composition analyzers that would increase complexity, the system uses acoustic beam phase shifts as a substitute mechanism to infer these properties
3Manufacturing precision
If confocal scanning laser microscopy is used for three-dimensional imaging, then detailed amplitude images are obtained, but the beams cannot penetrate far into tissues and phase information is not measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical laser beams with acoustic beams for confocal imaging. Acoustic beams can penetrate deeper into tissues compared to optical beams, eliminating the penetration depth limitation. The system maintains the confocal scanning approach for three-dimensional imaging while substituting the beam type to overcome the harmful effects of limited penetration and lack of phase information
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter of the imaging beam from optical to acoustic. This parameter change enables deeper tissue penetration and adds the capability to measure phase information, while preserving the three-dimensional confocal imaging functionality through maintained spatial filtering and scanning mechanisms
4Ease of operation
If ultrasound microscopes measure only intensity of acoustic beams, then the imaging process is straightforward, but background diffuse scattering creates significant image degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of diffuse scattering into a useful signal. Instead of treating diffuse scattering as noise to be eliminated, the system detects scattered acoustic beams and uses their phase information to characterize tissue properties. The confocal detection geometry selectively collects scattered beams from the focal region, converting what was previously image-degrading scattering into useful diagnostic information about tissue abnormalities
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This technology enables non-invasive imaging and treatment of internal tissues, allowing for precise diagnosis and monitoring of diseases, as well as the ability to treat tumors by increasing beam strength and dwell time, thereby providing a comprehensive solution for medical imaging and therapy.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic coherent beam focuser for focusing the acoustic coherent beam to a virtual source
Implementation Method 2
an acoustic detector for detecting an at least one diffusely scattered beam from the virtual source
Implementation Method 3
measuring a phase of the acoustic confocal beam and a phase of the at least one diffusely scattered beam to provide the at least one phase image
Implementation Method 4
a vector network analyzer, which is for measuring a phase of the acoustic confocal beam and a phase of the at least one diffusely scattered beam
Implementation Method 5
The phase of acoustic beams are modified by an object's refractive index, where the refractive index is dependent on the object's temperature and composition and is a measure of the acoustic beam's speed of sound
Data Source
AI summary
A diffuse acoustic confocal imager device for use with a data analyzer for providing a three dimensional and state information on an object based on an at least one phase image, the device comprising a coherent acoustic source for producing an acoustic confocal beam ranging from about 0.5 megahertz to about 100 megahertz, an acoustic coherent beam focuser for focusing the acoustic coherent beam to a virtual source, an acoustic detector for detecting an at least one diffusely scattered beam from the virtual source and a vector network analyzer, which is for measuring a phase of the acoustic confocal beam and a phase of the at least one diffusely scattered beam to provide the at least one phase image, the vector network analyzer in electronic communication with each of the coherent acoustic source and the acoustic detector. A method of detecting and treating diseases such as prostate cancer and ovarian cancer is also provided.