Curved Fiber-Tip Insert for Accurate Photoacoustic Needle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing puncture needles used for photoacoustic imaging suffer from reduced detection sensitivity and artifacts due to the high directivity of photoacoustic waves, which limits the accurate detection of the needle tip.
Innovation Solution
The insert features a light guide member with a curved light emission end, such as a hemispherical resin member, and a photoacoustic wave generation portion that absorbs light and generates photoacoustic waves, enhancing the emission angle and sensitivity of wave detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flat optical fiber end is used to emit light to the photoacoustic wave generation portion, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the photoacoustic waves are emitted with high directivity along the insertion direction, reducing detection sensitivity and causing artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber end is transformed from a flat surface to a hemispherical shape. This curvature change causes light to be emitted in multiple directions rather than concentrated along the insertion direction, thereby improving detection sensitivity and reducing artifacts while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standard polishing techniques
2Device complexity
If a flat optical fiber end is used to emit light, then the device structure is simple, but the photoacoustic waves are reflected in the subject causing artifacts with strong signals at incorrect positions
Solution Approach 1:
The hemispherical shape of the optical fiber end disperses light emission in multiple directions, preventing the concentrated beam that causes reflections and artifacts in the subject. This geometric modification eliminates harmful reflections while keeping the device structure simple
3Ease of operation
If light is emitted from a flat surface, then the photoacoustic wave generation portion can be simply positioned, but the strongest photoacoustic waves are emitted in a single direction parallel to the needle length, reducing detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The hemispherical optical fiber end emits light in multiple directions, causing photoacoustic waves to propagate in various directions rather than concentrated along one axis. This improves detection sensitivity while the hemispherical shape provides a natural reference for positioning the photoacoustic wave generation portion
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 configuration improves the detection sensitivity of the needle tip and reduces artifacts, allowing for more accurate visualization of the needle position within the subject.
Implementation Method 1
a photoacoustic wave generation portion that absorbs light and generates photoacoustic waves
Implementation Method 2
ultrasonic waves (photoacoustic waves) are generated by adiabatic expansion caused by the energy
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an insert including: a puncture needle main body which has an opening at a tip and is formed in a hollow shape and of which at least a tip portion is inserted into a subject; an optical fiber that is provided in a hollow portion of the puncture needle main body along a length direction of the puncture needle main body; and a photoacoustic wave generation portion that is provided at a light emission end of the optical fiber disposed on a tip side of the puncture needle main body, absorbs light emitted from the light emission end, and generates photoacoustic waves. A resin member provided at the light emission end of the optical fiber is formed in a shape having curvature.