Acoustic Vortex Virtual Optical Waveguide for Tissue Light Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Strong scattering properties of human tissues limit the penetration depth of light, hindering the development of optical technology in clinical applications.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) probe to form an acoustic vortex around a laser beam, creating a virtual optical waveguide that increases the fluence and penetration of light through tissues by inducing a scattering medium to form a refractive index mismatch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light is used to penetrate tissues for biophotonics technology, then photoelectric detection and imaging can be performed, but strong scattering properties of tissues limit the penetration depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acoustic vortex as an intermediary medium between the laser source and the target tissue. The acoustic vortex acts as a mediator that modifies the light propagation path, creating a virtual optical waveguide that guides light through the scattering tissue medium, thereby overcoming the scattering limitation and enabling deeper penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and propagation parameters of light by introducing acoustic field interactions. The acoustic vortex modifies the refractive index distribution in the tissue, creating a guided mode for light propagation. This parameter change transforms light from unguided propagation to guided propagation within the acoustic vortex structure, significantly increasing penetration depth.
2Device complexity
If conventional laser beams are used, then simple device structure is maintained, but light transmission is limited by tissue scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic vortex system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a tissue penetration enhancer, a light guide, and a virtual optical waveguide generator. By combining these functions into a single integrated approach, the patent achieves improved light transmission without requiring multiple separate devices, thus balancing device complexity with transmission efficiency.
3Illumination intensity
If acoustic vortex is formed to create virtual optical waveguide, then light penetration is enhanced, but device complexity increases due to HIFU probe integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the HIFU probe and laser delivery system into an integrated device architecture. The HIFU probe and laser source are positioned to work synergistically, with the acoustic vortex generated by the HIFU probe serving as the guiding medium for the laser beam. This merging approach, while increasing device complexity, enables the combined functionality of acoustic wave generation and optical guidance to achieve enhanced light penetration.
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
The acoustic vortex enhances light transmission and penetration in tissues, enabling improved clinical applications such as photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging, with increased fluence and reduced scattering rates.
Implementation Method 1
Ultrasounds generated by the HIFU probe are focused to form an acoustic vortex around a forward path of the laser beam
Implementation Method 2
focusing ultrasounds generated by the HIFU probe to form an acoustic vortex around a forward path of the laser beam
Implementation Method 3
creating a virtual optical waveguide that increases the fluence and penetration of light through tissues by inducing a scattering medium to form a refractive index mismatch
Implementation Method 4
inducing a scattering medium to form a refractive index mismatch
Implementation Method 5
Biophotonics aims to use photoelectric technology to detect, image and manipulate biological reactions and materials
Implementation Method 6
light is absorbed by the tissue into heat energy
Implementation Method 7
light is absorbed by the tissue into heat energy, and the response of a target tissue to light depends on the level of increase in temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for improving light penetration is provided and applied to human tissues for biophotonics technology. When a laser beam penetrates a tissue inside a human body for biophotonics technology, ultrasounds generated by a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) probe are focused to form an acoustic vortex around a forward path of the laser beam, causing the laser beam to pass through a central silent vortex action region of the acoustic vortex. A virtual optical waveguide is formed on surrounding tissues in the forward path of the laser beam through the acoustic vortex, to increase fluence of the laser beam through the acoustic vortex, and improve light penetration of the laser beam.