Handheld Optical Probe with 3D Tracking for Breast Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NIR optical imaging systems for breast cancer diagnostics are limited by their bulkiness, inability to conform to different tissue curvatures, and slow data capture rates due to single point illumination and detection geometries, leading to increased patient discomfort and limited 3-D tomography capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A flexible optical imaging system with simultaneous multiple point illumination and detection, combined with tracking facilities for co-registering location data, enabling the generation of 3-D tomographic data by using a probe head with pivotable sections and ultrasonic tracking for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional NIR optical imaging systems are used, then imaging capability is provided, but the systems are large and bulky, reducing portability
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into separate functional modules: a hand-held probe unit for data acquisition, a tracking system for position monitoring, and a separate processing unit for image reconstruction. This segmentation allows the imaging functionality to be portably deployed while maintaining system capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A tracking system acts as an intermediary between the hand-held probe and the imaging processing system, enabling the probe to be freely positioned while maintaining accurate spatial registration for 3-D tomographic reconstruction.
2Ease of operation
If conventional NIR optical imaging systems are used, then imaging is performed, but the apparatus requires patient positioning or tissue compression, increasing patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static imaging requiring fixed patient positioning to dynamic handheld probing that can adapt to various patient positions and anatomical configurations, reducing discomfort while maintaining imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement geometry changes from fixed to variable, allowing the probe to be positioned at multiple locations and angles without requiring tissue compression or restrictive patient positioning, thereby improving comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional NIR optical imaging systems are used, then imaging is performed, but only fixed volumes or certain shapes of breast tissue can be imaged
Solution Approach 1:
The hand-held probe combined with 3-D tracking enables the system to image various tissue volumes and shapes by moving the probe to different positions, providing universal applicability across different anatomical configurations rather than being limited to fixed geometries.
4Productivity
If single point illumination and detection measurement geometries are used, then simplified measurement is achieved, but data acquisition rates are limited, increasing patient wait time
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds the temporal dimension by acquiring data at multiple probe positions simultaneously through multi-point detection, transforming single-point sequential measurement into multi-point parallel measurement, thereby dramatically increasing data acquisition rate.
5Adaptability or versatility
If hand-held optical imagers with flat measuring probe heads are used, then portability is improved, but the probe cannot conform to different tissue curvatures
Solution Approach 1:
The probe head transitions from a static flat geometry to a dynamic configuration that can adapt to tissue curvatures through flexible positioning and multiple measurement points, enabling conformance to various anatomical surfaces.
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
This approach allows for more comfortable and efficient 3-D imaging of breast tissue, reducing patient discomfort and enhancing data acquisition rates, thereby improving the accuracy and speed of breast cancer diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
Near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging is an emerging non-invasive technology that may be applied towards deep tissue imaging
Implementation Method 2
ultrasonic tracking for precise positioning
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and system display image data for a three-dimensional object in real-time, co-registering the image data acquired from a probe with the location on the three-dimensional object from which the image data was acquired, by tracking the position and orientation of the probe as the probe acquires the image data.