Acoustic CTC Detection Using Ultrasonic Vortex Particle Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood face challenges in operating and installing ultrasound generators due to their complex setup, and suffer from low reliability and accuracy due to the rarity of CTCs, leading to frequent false negatives.
Innovation Solution
A method using acoustic analysis to align intravascular particles by size through a standing wave effect, capture them at the center of an ultrasonic vortex, and identify their type in real time using a diagnostic laser and response signal, followed by immediate destruction if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple ultrasound generators are installed to face each other to generate a standing wave, then intravascular particles can be separated by size, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the standing wave generation function from multiple complex ultrasound generators and implements it through a single ultrasonic vortex generator that creates a vortex flow pattern. This vortex flow naturally generates the necessary standing wave effect for particle separation without requiring multiple opposing generators, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining particle separation capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple ultrasound generators to create a standing wave through direct opposition, the patent inverts the approach by using a single generator to create a vortex flow that indirectly produces the standing wave effect. The vortex flow pattern reverses the conventional approach of direct wave superposition, achieving the same separation function through a different physical mechanism
2Quantity of substance
If blood samples are extracted at different times to detect CTCs, then more samples can be tested, but the reliability of detection deteriorates due to the rarity of CTCs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of intravascular particles through real-time acoustic analysis as blood flows continuously through the system. This continuous detection approach eliminates the need for discrete time-point sampling, ensuring that CTCs are captured as they naturally pass through the vessel without missing detections due to timing variations, thereby improving detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sampling and batch processing approach with a continuous flow analysis system using acoustic sensing. Instead of extracting and analyzing discrete blood samples at different times, the system continuously analyzes particles in flowing blood, substituting the mechanical sampling process with a non-intrusive acoustic detection method that operates continuously
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple ultrasound generators are installed to generate standing wave, then particle alignment is achieved, but the ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the particle alignment function from a complex multi-generator system and implements it through a single ultrasonic vortex generator. This single device creates a vortex flow that naturally aligns particles along the flow path, eliminating the need for installing and positioning multiple ultrasound generators, thereby significantly improving ease of manufacture and installation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple ultrasound generators into a single ultrasonic vortex generator. This single integrated device performs both the vortex generation and the particle alignment functions that previously required multiple separate generators, simplifying the installation process while maintaining the precision of particle alignment
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
Enables real-time detection and identification of CTCs with increased accuracy and immediate elimination, improving the reliability of CTC detection and treatment.
Implementation Method 1
aligning intravascular particles flowing through a blood vessel in accordance with their sizes by generating a standing wave effect that forms a pressure gradient in the blood vessel
Implementation Method 2
capturing particles at a vortex center by forming an ultrasound vortex in the aligned blood
Implementation Method 3
emitting a diagnostic laser to the vortex center; receiving a response signal to the diagnostic laser
Data Source
AI summary
An Embodiment relates to a method for identifying intravascular particles using acoustic analysis that can improve the detection accuracy of circulating tumor cells by capturing particles in blood flowing through a blood vessel at the center of an ultrasonic vortex and identifying the type of the particles in real time.