Dielectric Transmission Probe Asymmetric Channel Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current transmission dielectric probes face limitations such as poor penetration depth, sensitivity to cable movement, large size, and high cost, which restrict their effectiveness in clinical applications, particularly in distinguishing between different tissues and fluids.
Innovation Solution
The development of transmission dielectric probes with at least one channel extending across the probe, featuring different diameters and geometries at opposite ends, and including an inner and outer conductor, which allows for improved signal transmission and reception through the object, reducing sensitivity to cable movement and enhancing penetration depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional transmission dielectric probes are used, then signal transmission through tissue is achieved, but penetration depth is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into multiple channels (at least two channels) that extend across the probe body, with each channel having a transmitter and receiver configuration. This segmentation allows the signal to be transmitted through one channel and received through another, improving penetration depth while maintaining signal quality through the multi-channel architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The channels have different geometries at opposite ends of the probe, with asymmetric conductor configurations (inner and outer conductors with different dimensions). This asymmetric design optimizes signal transmission in different directions and improves penetration depth while reducing sensitivity to cable movement artifacts.
2Measurement precision
If conventional transmission dielectric probes are used, then tissue evaluation is possible, but sensitivity to cable movement is high
Solution Approach 1:
The probe uses multiple channels with distributed transmitter and receiver elements across the probe body. This segmentation creates a more robust measurement system where cable movement affects all channels similarly, allowing differential measurement techniques to cancel out cable artifacts and improve measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe structure itself acts as an intermediary that decouples the measurement from cable movement. By having channels extend across the probe with conductors positioned at specific locations, the probe body mediates the signal transmission in a way that isolates the measurement from external cable disturbances.
3Measurement precision
If conventional transmission dielectric probes are used, then dielectric measurement is achieved, but probe size is large
Solution Approach 1:
The probe channels are configured with nested conductor structures (inner conductors positioned within outer conductors). This nesting allows multiple functional elements to be packed into a compact volume while maintaining the necessary channel geometry for dielectric measurement, reducing overall probe size without sacrificing measurement capability.
4Measurement precision
If conventional transmission dielectric probes are used, then tissue characterization is possible, but cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The probe design with multiple channels and asymmetric geometries allows a single probe to perform multiple measurement functions and evaluate different tissue properties. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized probes, lowering overall system cost while maintaining high measurement precision for tissue characterization.
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 probes achieve deeper tissue penetration, are less susceptible to cable artifacts, and are more compact and affordable, enabling effective evaluation of tissue properties and differentiation between various tissues and fluids, facilitating clinical applications.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a signal from a first channel through the surface and into the object; and receiving the transmitted signal back through a second channel
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to transmission dielectric probes with at least one channel that extends across the probe. The channel includes a first opening on a first side of the transmission dielectric probe, and a second opening on a second side of the transmission dielectric probe. The first opening and the second opening are on opposite ends of the transmission dielectric probe, and the second opening is associated with an outer surface of the transmission dielectric probe. Additionally, the first opening and the second opening have different diameters, different geometries, or combinations thereof. Further embodiments pertain to methods of operating the transmission dielectric probes by placing the outer surface of the transmission dielectric probe on a surface of an object, transmitting a signal from a first channel through the surface and into the object, and receiving the transmitted signal back through a second channel.