Apparatus and process for electromagnetic imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic imaging methods for detecting internal features, such as stroke and tumors, are limited by high costs, non-portability, long scanning times, and inaccuracies due to anatomical variability, especially in emergency situations, and require extensive computational resources and tomographic reconstruction.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented process that directly maps electromagnetic wave scattering measurements to a spatial distribution of internal features without tomographic reconstruction, using weighted mapping and non-Cartesian coordinate systems to detect, localize, and classify abnormalities like strokes, utilizing S-parameter and Z-impedance coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MRI or CT imaging is used to detect internal features, then image quality and diagnostic accuracy are improved, but the scanning time increases significantly (up to 40 minutes) and the equipment becomes non-portable and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems (MRI scanners, CT scanners) with a simplified electromagnetic antenna array system. Instead of using large magnetic fields and rotating X-ray sources, the invention uses multiple antennas to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical equipment while maintaining imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using electromagnetic frequencies in the 100 MHz to 4 GHz range, which allows for faster scanning times compared to MRI/CT while still providing sufficient penetration and resolution for medical imaging applications.
2Device complexity
If traditional electromagnetic imaging with frequencies below 100 MHz is used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but spatial resolution deteriorates due to longer wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent raises the operating frequency from below 100 MHz to the 100 MHz - 4 GHz range. This parameter change shortens the wavelength, which directly improves spatial resolution while keeping the electromagnetic approach simpler than MRI/CT equipment.
3Measurement precision
If tomographic reconstruction is used to process scattering data, then image accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential scattering parameters (S-parameters or Z-parameters) from the electromagnetic measurements, rather than performing complete tomographic reconstruction. This extraction approach captures the necessary information for detecting abnormalities while avoiding the computational burden of full tomographic algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using a simplified processing approach that focuses on key scattering characteristics rather than complete image reconstruction. This partial processing achieves sufficient diagnostic accuracy for detecting strokes and tumors without requiring excessive computational resources.
4Measurement precision
If antenna arrays with wide frequency bandwidth are used to improve resolution, then the number of antennas required increases, but the physical space needed for the array increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each antenna in the array multi-functional by designing them to operate across a wide frequency bandwidth (100 MHz to 4 GHz). Each antenna can transmit and receive signals at multiple frequencies, eliminating the need for separate antennas for each frequency band and reducing the overall array size.
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
Enables rapid image generation in seconds, reducing computational demands and improving accuracy, facilitating immediate medical intervention in emergencies by detecting and classifying pathologies like strokes efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
accessing scattering data representing at least a two-dimensional array of measurements of electromagnetic wave scattering by internal features of an object
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented process for electromagnetic imaging, the process including the steps of: accessing scattering data representing at least a two-dimensional array of measurements of electromagnetic wave scattering by internal features of an object, wherein each said measurement represents scattering of electromagnetic waves emitted by a corresponding antenna of an array of antennas disposed about the object as measured by a corresponding antenna of the array of antennas; and processing the scattering data to generate image data representing a spatial distribution of internal features of the object, wherein the generation of the image data does not involve tomographic reconstruction but is in accordance with a weighted mapping to directly map the measurements of electromagnetic wave scattering to a corresponding spatial distribution of electromagnetic wave scattering by the internal features of the object that corresponds to the physical shape of the object to enable the detection, localization, size estimation, shape estimation and classification of one or more features of interest of the object.