Multi-mode Elasticity Measurement Device Using Brillouin and Optical Coherence Elastography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current elasticity measurement techniques for biological tissues, such as palpation, lack precision and rely on personal experience, failing to provide quantitative evaluation of tissue stiffness for early disease detection and diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A Brillouin-optical coherence-speckle based multi-mode elasticity measurement device integrating Brillouin scattering elastography, optical coherence elastography, and laser speckle elastography systems, utilizing a common-path scanning unit, signal excitation and acquisition units, and a time sequence controller for synchronous, high-precision measurement of bulk and shear modulus, and elasticity distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional palpation is used to evaluate tissue stiffness, then the evaluation can be performed with simple equipment, but the measurement precision and reliability are low due to reliance on personal experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three distinct elastography methods (Brillouin scattering, optical coherence, and laser speckle) into a single integrated measurement device. This merging allows the system to simultaneously acquire multiple types of elasticity information from biological tissues, thereby significantly improving measurement precision and reliability while providing comprehensive biomechanical characteristics that cannot be obtained by any single method alone
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement device is designed with multi-functionality to perform three different elastography measurement modes through a unified platform. The system can selectively activate different measurement functions (Brillouin scattering measurement, optical coherence elastography, laser speckle elastography) based on clinical needs, making it universally applicable for various tissue types and disease conditions while maintaining high measurement precision
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple elastography systems are integrated into one device, then comprehensive biomechanical characterization is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex measurement device into three independent measurement modules (Brillouin scattering module, optical coherence module, laser speckle module), each responsible for a specific elastography function. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system versatility, and enables selective activation of only the required measurement functions during operation, thereby managing device complexity effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time sequence controller as an intermediary component to coordinate the operation of multiple measurement systems. This controller manages the timing and sequencing of different measurement modes, ensuring synchronized operation and data integration without requiring complex direct interactions between the independent measurement modules, thus simplifying the overall system architecture
3Reliability
If synchronous measurement of multiple elastography modes is performed, then comprehensive elasticity information is obtained, but the measurement time and system coordination complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using a time sequence controller to alternately activate different measurement modes in a coordinated sequence. The controller systematically switches between Brillouin scattering measurement, optical coherence elastography, and laser speckle elastography in predetermined time intervals, enabling comprehensive elasticity information acquisition through structured periodic operation rather than simultaneous continuous measurement of all modes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by designing the time sequence controller to minimize idle time between different measurement modes. The controller maintains continuous operation by seamlessly transitioning between measurement functions and overlapping data acquisition processes where possible, ensuring that the measurement system is continuously productive and minimizing total measurement time while maintaining data quality and reliability
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 high-precision, in-situ, and high-speed measurement of tissue elasticity, providing a scientific basis for early disease diagnosis and clinical monitoring by synchronizing Brillouin, optical coherence, and speckle elastography systems for comprehensive biomechanical characterization.
Implementation Method 1
Brillouin scattering is an inelastic scattering process, having the spectral characteristics closely related to the properties of the medium (such as the density, viscosity, elasticity modulus, etc.). Therefore, the Brillouin scattering elastography (BSE) can be employed to measure the bulk elasticity modulus of the biological tissue by calculating the Brillouin frequency shift.
Implementation Method 2
As a novel elasticity measurement method based on optical coherence tomography, the optical coherence elastography (OCE) quantifies the elasticity moduli (such as the shear modulus and the Young's modulus) of the biological tissue by detecting the propagation information of elastic waves in the biological tissue
Implementation Method 3
In the laser speckle elastography (LSE), scattered particles on the surface of the tissue will backscatter the incident light. Owing to the different optical path differences between different scattered lights to the imaging plane of the camera, different scattered lights will form the random interference phenomenon on the image plane, and shows as a particle pattern having brightness changes on spatial distribution.
Implementation Method 4
the acoustic radiation force excitation unit being configured to generate vibration for the sample, so as to generate wave propagation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a Brillouin-optical coherence-speckle based multi-mode elasticity measurement device, including a Brillouin-optical coherence elastography common-path scanning unit, a Brillouin scattering elastography system, an optical coherence elastography system, a speckle elastography system, and a time sequence controller, where the Brillouin scattering elastography system and the optical coherence elastography system share the Brillouin-optical coherence elastography common-path scanning unit. According to the present invention, advantages that Brillouin scattering elastography can perform high-precision measurement on a bulk elasticity modulus, optical coherence elastography can rapidly obtain an elasticity distribution of an entire sample to perform three-dimensional elasticity mapping, and laser speckle elastography can perform wide-field elasticity measurement are utilized to perform in-situ synchronous imaging on elasticity distribution of lesion tissue, so that scientific basis and technical support are provided for early diagnosis of clinical diseases.