Combined EMG and Raman Muscle Probe for Bedside Diagnosis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for neuromuscular disorders, such as needle electromyography and muscle biopsy, are invasive, time-consuming, and lack specificity, leading to delayed diagnoses and missed opportunities for intervention.
Innovation Solution
A muscle probe combining electromyography (EMG) and optical spectroscopy, preferably Raman spectroscopy, for minimally invasive assessment of muscle health, allowing real-time guidance to target areas of interest and providing molecular specificity through optical spectroscopy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional muscle biopsy is used to diagnose neuromuscular disorders, then molecular specificity is improved, but invasiveness and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive biopsy procedure with optical spectroscopy using Raman scattering and fluorescence. The optical probe delivers laser light through the needle to excite molecular vibrations and fluorescent emissions from muscle tissue, providing molecular specificity without physically removing tissue samples. This substitution eliminates the harmful invasive aspect while maintaining the diagnostic precision of traditional biopsy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical light as an intermediary to interact with muscle tissue molecules. The laser light serves as a mediator that excites molecular vibrations and fluorescent emissions, allowing non-invasive detection of molecular changes in muscle tissue. This intermediary approach enables molecular analysis without direct tissue removal, resolving the contradiction between specificity and invasiveness.
2Ease of operation
If needle electromyography is used to assess muscle electrical activity, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and specificity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electromyography (EMG) with optical spectroscopy in a single integrated probe. The EMG component maintains ease of operation through familiar needle insertion and electrical signal recording, while the optical spectroscopy component adds molecular specificity through Raman scattering and fluorescence detection. This combination resolves the contradiction by retaining operational simplicity while enhancing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional probe that simultaneously performs EMG recording, Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescence detection. This universal device can assess both electrical activity and molecular composition of muscle tissue, providing both ease of operation (through single-probe insertion) and high specificity (through multiple detection modes).
3Ease of operation
If traditional electromyography is used to monitor disease progression, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision and quantitative output deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective EMG interpretation with objective optical spectroscopic measurements. Raman scattering and fluorescence provide quantitative molecular data that can be precisely measured and statistically analyzed, replacing the subjective nature of EMG interpretation with objective, reproducible molecular fingerprints that enable accurate monitoring of disease progression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous monitoring with feedback by repeatedly measuring optical spectroscopic signatures of muscle tissue over time. The quantitative molecular data provides objective feedback on disease progression and treatment response, allowing for precise tracking of changes in muscle composition that can be statistically analyzed to monitor disease trajectory and therapeutic effectiveness.
4Measurement precision
If traditional muscle biopsy is used to identify pathology, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and availability of appointments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the time-consuming tissue processing required for traditional biopsy with rapid optical spectroscopic analysis. The Raman scattering and fluorescence measurements can be obtained immediately from living tissue without requiring tissue fixation, processing, and histological examination, dramatically reducing diagnostic time while maintaining or improving accuracy through direct molecular detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary diagnostic assessment by performing optical spectroscopy during the initial clinical examination, before referring patients for traditional biopsy. The rapid molecular fingerprinting can identify characteristic spectral patterns that suggest specific neuromuscular disorders, allowing for preliminary diagnosis and reducing the need for subsequent invasive procedures and delayed appointments.
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 combination reduces the need for invasive biopsies, improves diagnostic precision, and enables rapid assessment of disease progression and treatment response, making it suitable for broader clinical use.
Implementation Method 1
a core electromyography electrode... arranged to detect electrical activity from the muscle
Implementation Method 2
the one or more optical fibres are arranged to direct incident light from a light source toward a target area of the muscle
Implementation Method 3
the one or more optical fibres are arranged to... receive scattered light from the target area
Implementation Method 4
The facility of the invention for optical spectroscopy may preferably include Raman spectroscopy... the scattered light comprises inelastic scattered light, for assessment using optical spectroscopy
Data Source
AI summary
A muscle probe is provided for obtaining electromyography data and optical spectroscopy data from muscle tissue. The muscle probe comprises an elongate needle having an outer wall surrounding a needle interior, the needle interior comprising: a core electromyography electrode; and one or more optical fibres; wherein the needle is arranged to be inserted into a muscle, and further arranged to detect electrical activity from the muscle; and wherein the one or more optical fibres are arranged to direct incident light from a light source toward a target area of the muscle, and further arranged to receive scattered light from the target area. The present disclosure aims to provide a muscle probe to improve the diagnostic pathway for patients with neuromuscular disorders, by developing a minimally invasive bedside test of muscle health.