Imaging System Using Acoustic Modulation of Terahertz Waves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging techniques for investigating physical properties of objects, such as medical imaging, rely on different physical phenomena, leading to limitations and requirements for powerful magnets in certain methods like MRI, which restrict their application and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A method involving localized acoustic vibrations in two or three dimensions combined with an illuminating electromagnetic wave in the Terahertz band or below, generating scattered waves with Doppler components that provide information on electromagnetic properties without the need for magnets, similar to MRI but with improved resolution and applicability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MRI is used to obtain electromagnetic property information, then imaging resolution and information quality are improved, but the requirement for powerful magnets increases device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical magnet system of MRI with an electromagnetic wave-based detection system. Specifically, it uses terahertz electromagnetic waves to probe the object and detects Doppler shifts in the scattered waves caused by acoustic vibrations, thereby obtaining electromagnetic property information without requiring powerful magnets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from direct electromagnetic signal measurement in MRI to Doppler shift measurement of scattered terahertz waves. By measuring the frequency shift of scattered electromagnetic waves caused by acoustic vibrations, the system extracts electromagnetic property information through a different physical parameter pathway.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different imaging techniques are used to investigate different physical properties, then comprehensive object characterization is improved, but the number of required imaging systems and procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional imaging system that can investigate both mechanical properties (through acoustic vibration response) and electromagnetic properties (through Doppler shift of scattered terahertz waves) using a single integrated system. The same terahertz source and detector setup serves dual purposes by analyzing different characteristics of the scattered waves.
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 approach allows for the generation of image data representing physical properties of objects, offering advantages over traditional methods by providing detailed electromagnetic property information without the need for magnets, enhancing imaging capabilities in medical and other fields.
Implementation Method 1
the acoustic vibration of the object in each of the regions generates a scattered electromagnetic wave including Doppler components shifted from the frequency of the illuminating electromagnetic wave by frequencies of the acoustic vibration and multiples thereof
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging system for an object such as human or animal tissue uses scattering of an illuminating electromagnetic wave by acoustic vibrations to generate a scattered electromagnetic wave including Doppler components shifted from the frequency of the illuminating electromagnetic wave by frequencies of the acoustic vibration and multiples thereof. An acoustic transducer apparatus applies acoustic vibrations localised in two or three dimensions in a plurality of regions. A transmitter simultaneously illuminates the object with an illuminating electromagnetic wave that has a frequency in the range from 100MHz to 100GHz, the vibration direction of the acoustic vibration having a component parallel to the propagation direction of the illuminating electromagnetic wave. A receiver receives the scattered electromagnetic wave. A signal processing apparatus derives characteristics of the Doppler components, and stores image data representing the derived characteristic.