Lycopene Concentration Measurement for Tissue Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current apparatuses for optical analysis of tissues, particularly in the prostate organ, are not sufficient for discriminating between normal and diseased tissue types, especially in early-stage prostate cancer, as they fail to accurately determine the concentration of lycopene, a key differentiating feature.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) with a spectrometer and interventional device to measure the concentration of lycopene in tissues, enabling the differentiation between normal and tumor tissues by analyzing the optical spectrum and determining a parameter indicative of tissue type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical analysis methods are used to detect tissue differences, then blood content discrimination is possible, but the ability to discriminate tissue types in early stage prostate cancer is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from general optical properties to specific lycopene concentration measurement. By targeting the specific spectral absorption characteristics of lycopene at 468-472 nm, the system achieves precise discrimination of tissue types based on lycopene concentration differences between normal and cancerous tissues, resolving the insufficiency of conventional methods.
2Loss of information
If Raman spectroscopy is used to detect tissue samples, then spectral information can be obtained, but the device complexity increases with multiple optical fibers and separation modules
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential information needed for tissue discrimination - the lycopene concentration - by measuring absorption at a specific wavelength range (468-472 nm). This eliminates the need for complex Raman spectroscopy systems with multiple optical fibers, beam splitters, and spectral separation modules, while still providing sufficient discriminatory information.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of analyzing the entire spectrum, the invention focuses measurement on a specific local region - the lycopene absorption peak at 468-472 nm. This localized measurement approach provides the necessary tissue discrimination capability while significantly simplifying the optical system compared to full-spectrum Raman analysis.
3Measurement precision
If multiple chromophores are present in tissue, then comprehensive tissue characterization is possible, but the specific concentration determination of individual chromophores becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the measurement approach from attempting to quantify all chromophores simultaneously to specifically targeting lycopene concentration by measuring absorption at its characteristic wavelength (468-472 nm). This selective parameter measurement enables precise lycopene determination even in the presence of multiple other chromophores in the tissue.
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 precise and reliable discrimination between normal and tumor tissues by accurately measuring lycopene concentration, facilitating accurate treatment targeting and improving diagnostic accuracy in surgical oncology.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (104) and a detector (106, 108) arranged to measure an optical spectrum
Implementation Method 2
measuring an optical spectrum... determination of a first parameter being indicative of a concentration of lycopene... optical absorption characteristics
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus 100 and, a method and a computer program for determining a first parameter indicative of a concentration of lycopene. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus 100 comprising a spectrometer 02, which spectrometer comprises a light source 104 and a detector 106, 108 arranged to measure an optical spectrum via an interventional device 112. This enables determination of a first parameter being indicative of a lycopene concentration. Lycopene concentration may serve as a discriminative feature for different tissue types, such as the prostate organ and associated structures. The apparatus may in a specific embodiment be arranged to determine a second parameter indicative of a tissue type based on a concentration of lycopene. According to a specific embodiment, the apparatus relies on Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS).