Noble Metal Nanoparticle Optical Detection for Vascular Plaque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging techniques are inadequate for early detection of atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) due to limitations in distinguishing between stable and unstable plaques, and they are either invasive, expensive, or lack specificity, failing to accurately quantify disease progression.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive, real-time optical method using diffusion reflection measurements with noble metal nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles, that accumulate in cancerous or injured vascular tissues, allowing for detection through changes in optical properties measured by a system comprising a light source and detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive techniques such as angiography or intravascular ultrasound are used to detect atherosclerotic plaque, then measurement precision of plaque characteristics is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses metal nanoparticles as intermediary contrast agents that accumulate in atherosclerotic plaque. These nanoparticles serve as mediators between the imaging system and the plaque, enhancing the optical signal from the plaque without requiring invasive procedures. The nanoparticles bind to plaque components and provide strong scattering/absorption signals that can be detected non-invasively, thus achieving accurate plaque characterization while avoiding invasive catheter-based methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the plaque by introducing metal nanoparticles with specific optical properties (high scattering and absorption coefficients). By selecting nanoparticles with appropriate size, shape, and material composition, the optical contrast between plaque and surrounding tissue is significantly enhanced. This parameter change allows non-invasive optical methods to achieve measurement precision previously only attainable with invasive techniques.
2Measurement precision
If anatomical imaging techniques such as CT or MRI are used to detect atherosclerotic disease, then detection capability is improved, but cost deteriorates due to expensive equipment and procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs metal nanoparticles as cost-effective intermediary contrast agents that can be administered systemically and accumulate in atherosclerotic plaque. These nanoparticles enable conventional, low-cost optical imaging systems to achieve disease detection capability previously requiring expensive CT or MRI equipment. The nanoparticles provide the necessary contrast enhancement, allowing standard optical devices to detect and characterize plaque.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or surrogate signal of the plaque by using metal nanoparticles that replicate the plaque's presence through their strong optical scattering and absorption properties. Instead of directly imaging the plaque with expensive equipment, the nanoparticles create an amplified optical signature that can be detected by inexpensive light sources and detectors, effectively copying the diagnostic information at lower cost.
3Ease of operation
If conventional optical imaging methods are used to detect early atherosclerotic lesions, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to multiple scattering dominating light propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the optical parameters of the tissue by introducing metal nanoparticles with exceptionally high scattering and absorption coefficients. These nanoparticles alter the light propagation characteristics in the plaque region, creating strong localized optical signals that overcome the multiple scattering background. The nanoparticles' optical properties (tunable based on size, shape, and material) are optimized to maximize signal contrast while maintaining non-invasive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the wavelength-dependent optical properties of metal nanoparticles, which exhibit characteristic scattering and absorption spectra. By selecting illumination wavelengths that match the nanoparticles' optical resonances and detecting at corresponding wavelengths, the system maximizes the signal from nanoparticles while minimizing background scattering. This wavelength-specific interaction enhances measurement precision without compromising the non-invasive nature of the technique.
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 sensitive and specific detection of cancer and arterial vascular disorders by identifying the accumulation of nanoparticles in tissues, providing a cost-effective, non-invasive means to differentiate between stable and unstable plaques and track disease progression.
Implementation Method 1
measuring diffusion reflection of the area of the irradiated tissue... detection from the measured diffusion reflection of accumulation of the noble metal nanoparticles in the area
Implementation Method 2
optically irradiating an area of a tissue suspected of being a cancerous or injured vascular tissue with a light source outputting an optical signal
Implementation Method 3
measuring diffusion reflection of the area of the irradiated tissue using at least one detector
Data Source
AI summary
Non-invasive methods and systems for detection of cancer or arterial vascular disorder involving administering to an individual a composition comprising noble metal nanoparticles that accumulate in a cancerous or injured vascular tissue; optically irradiating an area of a tissue suspected of being a cancerous or injured vascular tissue with a light source outputting an optical signal of at least one wavelength; and measuring diffusion reflection of the area of the irradiated tissue using at least one detector, whereby detection from the measured diffusion reflection of accumulation of the noble metal nanoparticles in this area indicates that the irradiated tissue is a cancerous or injured vascular tissue.