Breast Infrared Imaging with Transmitted and Scattered Light Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging technologies struggle to effectively detect cancerous masses in inaccessible body parts, such as the female breast, due to limited penetration and scattering of visible light, and lack of methods to reconstruct clear images from scattered infrared radiation.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing near-infrared radiation to detect increased blood supply through angiogenesis in cancerous tissues, employing a system with infrared emitters and detectors to capture both transmitted and scattered radiation, and using computational methods to reconstruct clear images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If infrared radiation is used to detect increased blood supply in cancerous masses, then the ability to detect cancer non-invasively is improved, but the resolution and accuracy are reduced due to scattering and absorption by human tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detected infrared radiation into two distinct components: transmitted radiation that passes through the tissue and scattered radiation that interacts with blood vessels. By using separate detectors for each component and processing their signals differently, the system resolves the contradiction by maintaining non-invasive detection while improving measurement precision through differential analysis of the two radiation pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by treating transmitted and scattered radiation differently in the image processing stage. Transmitted radiation provides structural information while scattered radiation provides functional blood supply information. This localized differentiation of radiation processing allows the system to simultaneously achieve non-invasive detection and high measurement precision for cancer identification
2Measurement precision
If a breast cup with integrated emitters and detectors is used, then the ability to differentiate transmitted and scattered radiation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the emitter and detector arrays into an integrated breast cup structure, with emitters and detectors positioned in alternating circumferential arrangements. This merging allows simultaneous emission and detection of infrared radiation through the same tissue pathway, improving measurement precision while the modular cup design keeps the overall structure manageable and clinically practical
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple infrared emitters and detectors are used to create detailed images, then the image resolution is improved, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image reconstruction process into two distinct computational pathways: one processing transmitted radiation signals for structural imaging and another processing scattered radiation signals for functional blood supply imaging. This segmentation allows high-resolution imaging with multiple emitters and detectors while managing data processing complexity through specialized algorithms for each radiation type
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a functional dimension to the imaging process by simultaneously capturing both structural information (from transmitted radiation) and functional blood supply information (from scattered radiation). This dimensional expansion allows comprehensive cancer detection with high resolution while the dual-pathway processing approach manages the increased data complexity through parallel processing streams
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
Provides high-resolution images capable of detecting cancerous masses by identifying differential absorption and scattering properties of blood, offering a non-invasive and accurate method for early cancer detection.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter that emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation, preferably with infrared radiation
Implementation Method 2
leveraging the higher absorption and scattering properties of blood compared to other tissues
Implementation Method 3
differentiation between transmitted and scattered radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A method to form images of internal parts of objects that are of such a nature that images are smeared out due to scattering. The method consists in using isolated beams of radiation along specific, chosen directions, then separating radiation that have not suffered scattering events, from the radiation that have suffered scattering events. The directions may be fixed either by having a multiplicity of radiation emitters along several directions or by moving one or more radiation emitter, or a combination of these. Collimators may also be used to select the direction of radiation propagation. The invention also discloses transparent windows pressed against the object, which serves to keep the incident radiation along a known direction. The radiation that suffered scattering may be also used to make a separate images of the internal parts of the object.