Biological Sample Characterization via Controlled Electrical Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently identifying characteristics of biological samples in-vivo without causing irreversible damage or requiring reconstruction of the sample.

Innovation Solution

The system provides a plurality of electrical input signals to a biological sample, eliciting corresponding electrical output signals that contain information about the sample's properties. By controlling the electrical input signals, the system identifies general features and sub-features in the output signals to characterize the sample without reconstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electrical input signals are provided to a biological sample to identify characteristics, then information about the sample's properties is obtained, but the sample may be damaged or require reconstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidsample damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies multiple electrical input signals with varying characteristics (amplitude, frequency, waveform) to the biological sample. By using partial actions (multiple separate signals rather than one strong signal) and analyzing the cumulative response, the system achieves accurate characteristic identification while keeping individual signal intensities below damage thresholds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system varies multiple parameters of the electrical input signals including amplitude, frequency, duration, and waveform type. By changing these parameters across multiple measurement cycles, the system extracts comprehensive sample characteristics without requiring high-intensity signals that could damage the biological sample

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple electrical input signals are provided to identify sample characteristics, then measurement accuracy improves, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharacteristic identification accuracyVSAvoidsignal control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The signal generation component is designed to perform multiple functions: generating various waveform types (sine, square, triangular), adjusting amplitude and frequency, and controlling pulse duration. This multi-functional design consolidates what could be multiple separate devices into a single universal signal generator, managing complexity while enabling diverse measurement capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts signal parameters based on the measurement requirements and sample response. The control unit modifies signal characteristics in real-time during the measurement process, allowing adaptive optimization of measurement accuracy while managing system complexity through intelligent control rather than fixed complex hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If electrical input signals are used to obtain sample information, then diagnostic capability is improved, but the time required for measurement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample information completenessVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic electrical input signals with specific frequencies and duty cycles. By using periodic rather than continuous signals, the system efficiently extracts sample characteristics during specific time windows, reducing overall measurement time while maintaining information completeness through repeated periodic measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs measurements continuously by rapidly sequencing multiple electrical input signals with different characteristics. Rather than performing separate discrete measurements, the system maintains continuous useful action by immediately following one measurement with the next, minimizing idle time and reducing total measurement duration while gathering comprehensive sample information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 rapid and accurate identification of characteristics in biological samples, enabling applications such as health monitoring and control signal generation for electronic devices without the need for sample reconstruction.

Implementation Method 1

providing a plurality of electrical input signals to a biological sample; receiving a plurality of electrical output signals from the biological sample where the electrical output signals correspond to the electrical input signals and values of the electrical output signals are based on one or more electrical properties of the biological sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4141443B1Apparatus, methods and computer programs for identifying characteristics of biological samples
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4141443B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP4141443B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3
  • EP4141443B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Examples of the disclosure relate to an apparatus for providing electrical input signals to a biological sample so as to provide a plurality of corresponding electrical output signals. The apparatus is configured so that the electrical output electrical signals have passed through the biological sample. This means that the electrical output signals comprise of information about the properties of the biological sample. In examples of the disclosure, the electrical input signal can be controlled so that the electrical output signals comprise of general features and sub-features that enable characteristics of the biological sample to be identified. The use of these general features and sub-features can enable the characteristics to be identified without creating a reconstruction of the biological sample.