Biomineralization Localization via Diminished-Frequency Spectral Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for localizing biomineralizations, such as urinary stones, using ultrasound energy are limited in precision and effectiveness, necessitating an improved approach to accurately detect and target these formations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves producing ultrasonic energy waves with a fundamental frequency, injecting microbubbles proximal to the biomineralization, and processing the returned signals to isolate diminished frequencies, which correspond to a unique spectral signature indicative of the biomineralization's location, using a system comprising an ultrasound device, receiver, filters, and a processor to determine the spatial location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasound methods are used to localize biomineralizations, then the basic localization function is achieved, but the precision and effectiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter by isolating diminished frequencies (less than 50% of fundamental frequency) from the broadband signal. This parameter transformation reveals spectral signatures that are characteristic of biomineralizations, thereby improving both localization precision and detection effectiveness beyond conventional ultrasound methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the acoustic signal into a spectral domain representation, where different frequency components are distinguished. By identifying specific spectral signatures in the diminished frequency range, the method enables precise localization of biomineralizations, analogous to how color changes enable identification of different substances.
2Loss of information
If broadband signal processing is used, then comprehensive signal information is captured, but the specific spectral signature of biomineralization is obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the specific diminished frequency components from the broadband signal. By isolating frequencies less than 50% of the fundamental frequency, the method removes irrelevant signal components while retaining the critical spectral signature information characteristic of biomineralizations, thus solving the contradiction between information completeness and precision detection.
3Measurement precision
If microbubbles are injected proximal to biomineralization, then the target is enhanced for detection, but the complexity of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses microbubbles as an intermediary agent that accumulates proximal to biomineralizations. These microbubbles serve as a mediator that enhances the acoustic response at the target site, improving detection sensitivity. The complexity is managed by using a well-established microbubble injection technique combined with the novel spectral analysis method.
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 enhances the accuracy of biomineralization localization by utilizing the distinct diminished-frequency spectral signature, allowing for precise detection and potential therapeutic intervention, such as fragmentation or erosion, of targeted formations like urinary stones.
Implementation Method 1
producing, by an ultrasonic transducer, pulses of produced ultrasonic energy waves having a fundamental frequency
Implementation Method 2
injecting an ensemble of microbubbles proximal to the biomineralization; receiving, by an acoustic receiver, returned ultrasonic energy waves to detect a broadband signal output
Data Source
AI summary
A method for localization a biomineralization in a volume comprises (a) producing, by an ultrasonic transducer, pulses of produced ultrasonic energy waves having a fundamental frequency; (b) injecting microbubbles proximal to the biomineralization; (c) receiving, by an acoustic receiver, returned ultrasonic energy waves to produce a signal output; (d) processing the signal output to isolate diminished frequencies of the signal output, the diminished frequencies having a frequency range that is less than 50% of the fundamental frequency and greater than or equal to about 4% of the fundamental frequency; (e) monitoring the diminished frequencies, with a processor, for a diminished-frequency spectral signature that corresponds with a location of the biomineralization; and (f) determining a spatial location of the biomineralization, with the processor, based on the diminished-frequency spectral signature.