Medical Imaging Platform Multi-Modal Tissue Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical imaging devices used in minimally invasive surgeries face challenges such as limited imaging resolution, poor visibility, and limited perspectives due to their size and lighting constraints, making it difficult for surgeons to distinguish between normal and diseased tissue during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A medical software tools platform that integrates with surgical displays to provide enhanced data analysis and visualization tools, including image processing algorithms and user interface overlays, to facilitate better tissue differentiation and collaboration among surgical teams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional medical imaging devices are used in minimally invasive surgeries, then the surgical procedure can be performed with smaller incisions, but the imaging resolution and tissue differentiation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (visible light imaging, NIR fluorescence imaging, and photoacoustic imaging) into a single integrated medical imaging device. This merging allows the device to overcome the limitations of individual modalities and provide both high-resolution structural information and functional molecular information simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between device size and imaging resolution by achieving superior resolution through multi-modal integration rather than increasing device physical size
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing visible light imaging, NIR fluorescence imaging, and photoacoustic imaging. This universal device can adapt to different surgical needs and tissue types, providing enhanced measurement precision across various applications without requiring multiple separate devices, thus maintaining compact size while achieving high resolution through functional versatility
2Ease of operation
If conventional medical imaging devices are used, then the device can be introduced into the body cavity, but the visibility and tissue differentiation capability deteriorate due to lighting constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes NIR fluorescence imaging which operates at wavelengths (700-900 nm) beyond the visible range. This parameter change in imaging wavelength allows penetration deeper into tissue with reduced scattering and absorption, improving visibility and tissue differentiation capability without increasing the physical size of the imaging device, thus maintaining ease of operation while enhancing illumination and visibility
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional medical imaging devices are used, then the surgical procedure can be performed minimally invasively, but the data analysis and diagnostic accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs contrast agents as intermediaries that bind to specific molecular targets in tissue. These contrast agents enhance the signal from specific tissue types or pathological conditions, enabling more accurate data analysis and diagnostic accuracy. The contrast agents act as mediators between the imaging device and the tissue, providing functional and molecular information that would otherwise be lost in conventional imaging, thus maintaining minimal invasiveness while reducing information loss
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 platform enhances imaging capabilities by providing real-time image processing and data integration, enabling more accurate tissue differentiation and improved surgical precision through dynamic image routing and processing, and collaborative control of image streams.
Implementation Method 1
an endoscopic optical sensor to measure both the amount and speed of change in one or more of the spectral components reflected from the surface of tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Medical software tools platforms utilize a surgical display to provide access to specific medical software tools, such as medically-oriented applications or widgets, that can assist surgeons or surgical team in performing various procedures. In particular, an endoscopic camera may register the momentary rise in the optical signature reflected from a tissue surface and in turn transmit it to a medical image processing system which can also receive patient heart rate data and display relevant anomalies. Changes in various spectral components and the speed at which they change in relation to a source of stimulus (heartbeat, breathing, light source modulation, etc.) may indicate the arrival of blood, contrast agents or oxygen absorption. Combinations of these may indicate various states of differing disease or margins of tumors, and so forth. Also, changes in temperatures, physical dimensions, pressures, photoacoustic pressures and the rate of change may indicate tissue anomalies in comparison to historic values.