Expandable Optical Sensor Array for Real-Time Blood Flow Perfusion Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) face challenges such as limited resolution in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), unsuitability of coherence tomography (CT) for certain gastrointestinal diseases, subjective severity scoring, increased patient risk for cancer due to repetitive CT scans, and lack of standardization in color-enhanced ultrasound.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an expandable member with a plurality of sensors disposed on its outer surface, each sensor equipped with emitters and detectors to measure light intensity over time at different wavelengths, and a controller to calculate perfusion indexes and display them, enabling real-time blood flow determination around a body lumen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MRI slices are used for diagnosing IBD, then non-invasive imaging is achieved, but resolution is limited and real-time blood flow information is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into multiple sensors disposed circumferentially around the expandable member, with each sensor containing multiple emitters and detectors. This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of light intensity at multiple wavelengths and multiple spatial locations, enabling both high-resolution imaging and real-time blood flow detection through separate perfusion index calculations for different sensor positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor system performs multiple functions: it measures light intensity at multiple wavelengths to determine both structural imaging information and functional blood flow information. The same sensor array used for tissue characterization also calculates perfusion indexes to provide real-time blood flow data, eliminating the need for separate imaging modalities.
2Measurement precision
If coherence tomography is used for imaging, then detailed structural information is obtained, but repetitive scanning increases patient cancer risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses low-cost optical components (LEDs and photodetectors) that emit and detect light in the visible and near-infrared spectrum. These optical probes can be used repeatedly without the ionizing radiation concerns of CT scans, providing detailed tissue imaging through light absorption and scattering properties without increasing patient cancer risk.
3Loss of information
If color enhanced ultrasound is used for monitoring, then blood flow information is available, but standardization and availability are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures light intensity at multiple specific wavelengths (e.g., 530 nm green, 630 nm red, 940 nm infrared) to capture different tissue optical properties. By calculating perfusion indexes from light intensity changes at these standardized wavelengths, the system provides standardized, quantifiable blood flow measurements that can be consistently compared across different patients and time points.
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 a low-cost, non-invasive imaging solution for determining the severity of gastrointestinal diseases, enabling differentiation between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, while reducing the risk of cancer associated with repetitive imaging.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of sensors includes a first emitter configured to emit light of a first wavelength, and a detector configured to detect light
Implementation Method 2
receive along a first short vector, a measurement of light intensity over time of light, reflected off of body tissue, at the first wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include an expandable member, and a plurality of sensors disposed on an outer surface of the expandable member and circumferentially spaced apart from one another, wherein each of the plurality of sensors includes a first emitter configured to emit light of a first wavelength, and a detector configured to detect light, and a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors.