Non-Invasive Membrane Permeability Measurement via MRI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to non-destructively determine the permeability and surface area of membranes in materials like biological tissues and composite materials, as direct access can disrupt the sample and current techniques are limited by spatial resolution or invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electrical impedance measurements to indirectly determine membrane permeability and surface area through frequency-dependent and time-dependent transport characteristics, allowing for non-invasive bulk transport measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct access to the membrane is used to measure permeability, then measurement precision is improved, but the sample functionality is destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (e.g., contrast agent, tracer molecule) that can penetrate the membrane and provide measurable signals. This intermediary enables indirect measurement of membrane permeability through bulk transport properties without direct contact with or damage to the membrane structure, thus preserving sample functionality while achieving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/probe-based measurement methods with non-invasive detection techniques such as MRI, NMR, or optical imaging. These methods detect bulk transport characteristics and membrane properties through field interactions (magnetic, electromagnetic) rather than physical contact, eliminating the need to disrupt the sample while maintaining measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If optical techniques are used to monitor cell membrane permeability, then measurement capability is improved, but the method is limited to surface cells only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface optical imaging to three-dimensional bulk measurement capabilities using techniques like MRI and NMR. These methods can penetrate deep into tissues and provide volumetric data, enabling measurement of membrane permeability throughout the entire sample volume rather than仅限于 the surface layer, thus expanding the measurement coverage area while maintaining detection precision.
3Reliability
If bulk transport measurement is used to determine membrane properties, then non-destructive measurement is achieved, but direct membrane characteristics are not accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where bulk transport measurements (diffusion coefficients, relaxation times) are continuously monitored and fed into computational models. These models iteratively refine estimates of membrane properties (permeability, surface area, thickness) by comparing predicted vs. actual bulk transport behavior, thereby recovering detailed membrane characteristics from non-invasive bulk data without losing critical information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in measurable parameters (diffusion coefficients, relaxation times, signal intensities) under different conditions (gradients, frequencies, concentrations) to indirectly infer membrane properties. By measuring how bulk transport parameters change with controlled variations, the system can deconvolve and determine specific membrane characteristics while maintaining sample integrity throughout the measurement process.
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 the characterization of membrane properties in biological tissues and composite materials without disrupting the sample, providing accurate and non-invasive measurements of permeability and surface area, applicable in various fields including medical diagnostics and material analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The obtained information can be obtained, e.g., without a direct access to the at least one membrane, e.g., with a use of an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure.
Implementation Method 2
information associated with an electrical conductivity of the material and/or an impedance of the material
Implementation Method 3
an diffusional measurement, which measurement can be, e.g., an diffusional kurtosis measurement, for example. In addition, the obtained particular information can include, e.g., data received from an diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) signal.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments of a methodology, procedure, system, method and computer-accessible medium can be provided to obtain particular information relating to at least one transport property of a material containing at least one membrane, and to determine, e.g., a permeability of the membrane of the material and/or a surface area of the membrane of the material, as a function of, e.g., the obtained particular information.