Dual-Modality Imaging System Coregistered Functional Anatomical Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomedical imaging technologies face challenges in providing real-time, noninvasive visualization of deep tissue structures with both anatomical and functional information, particularly in differentiating between malignant and benign tissues based on hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation.
Innovation Solution
A dual-modality imaging system combining ultrasonic and optoacoustic technologies using a hand-held probe that delivers optical pulses and detects ultrasonic signals to produce co-registered images of total hemoglobin concentration, blood oxygen saturation, and tissue morphology, enabling real-time coregistered functional and anatomical mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If separate imaging systems are used for anatomical and functional mapping, then comprehensive diagnostic information can be obtained, but system complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines anatomical ultrasound imaging and functional optoacoustic imaging into a single integrated system. The ultrasound transducer array and optoacoustic detectors share the same probe housing and detection electronics, allowing simultaneous acquisition of both anatomical structures and functional parameters (hemoglobin concentration, oxygen saturation) without requiring separate imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is designed with universal capabilities to handle both ultrasound signals and optoacoustic signals through the same transducer array and electronics. The system can switch between or simultaneously perform anatomical imaging and functional mapping modes, making the device multi-functional and reducing overall system complexity.
2Loss of time
If multiple imaging modalities are integrated into a single probe, then imaging time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges ultrasound and optoacoustic imaging modalities into a single hand-held probe. The probe contains both ultrasound transducers and optoacoustic detectors in integrated arrays, allowing simultaneous or rapid sequential acquisition of anatomical and functional images, thereby reducing total imaging time while managing complexity through unified probe design.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe design incorporates universal detection electronics that can process both ultrasound and optoacoustic signals. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware platform to perform multiple imaging tasks, reducing the need for separate specialized devices and minimizing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If dual-wavelength lasers are used for functional imaging, then measurement precision of hemoglobin parameters is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dual-wavelength laser illumination (typically 750 nm and 1064 nm) to exploit the different absorption characteristics of hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin at these wavelengths. By measuring optoacoustic signals at both wavelengths, the system can precisely determine hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation through spectral unmixing algorithms, achieving high measurement precision for functional parameters.
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 system provides accurate, real-time visualization of tissue structures and functional changes, allowing for noninvasive differentiation between malignant and benign tissues by utilizing dual-wavelength short-pulse lasers and fiberoptic light delivery for enhanced imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Transient ultrasonic signals resulting from selective absorption of different energy fractions from each of the two optical pulses by hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin of blood containing tissues are detected
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasonic pulses are delivered into the tissue and backscattered ultrasonic signals reflected from various structural tissue boundaries associated with body morphology are detected
Data Source
AI summary
A real-time imaging system that provides ultrasonic imaging and optoacoustic imaging coregistered through application of the same hand-held probe to generate and detect ultrasonic and optoacoustic signals. These signals are digitized, processed and used to reconstruct anatomical maps superimposed with maps of two functional parameters of blood hemoglobin index and blood oxygenation index. The blood hemoglobin index represents blood hemoglobin concentration changes in the areas of diagnostic interest relative to the background blood concentration. The blood oxygenation index represents blood oxygenation changes in the areas of diagnostic interest relative to the background level of blood oxygenation. These coregistered maps can be used to noninvasively differentiate malignant tumors from benign lumps and cysts.