Nanoparticle Location Detection via Thermal Impedance Tomography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging modalities for nanoparticles inside the body, such as electrical impedance tomography, are ineffective for nanoparticles that migrate into cells, as they can no longer affect ionic flow in the extracellular space, limiting their ability to detect nanoparticle location accurately.
Innovation Solution
The method involves stimulating nanoparticles with electromagnetic radiation or an oscillating magnetic field to generate a temperature differential, which is then detected using time-difference electrical impedance tomography (td-EIT), allowing for the estimation of nanoparticle location by identifying regions of greater impedance change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical impedance tomography is used to image nanoparticles, then extracellular nanoparticles can be detected, but intracellular nanoparticles cannot be detected because they no longer affect ionic flow in the extracellular space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from electrical impedance (which requires extracellular ionic flow) to temperature distribution (which can be measured intracellularly). By applying electromagnetic radiation to generate heat in nanoparticles and using td-EIT to detect temperature differences, the system can now detect both extracellular and intracellular nanoparticles, resolving the limitation of the original method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical measurement mechanism with a thermal measurement mechanism. Instead of measuring electrical impedance changes caused by ionic flow disruption, the system measures temperature changes caused by electromagnetic heating of nanoparticles. This substitution allows detection of nanoparticles regardless of their location relative to cell membranes
2Measurement precision
If nanoparticles are stimulated with electromagnetic radiation to generate heat, then temperature differential can be detected by EIT, but the method requires additional stimulation equipment and complex imaging processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electromagnetic radiation source serve multiple functions: it both stimulates the nanoparticles to generate heat for detection purposes and can potentially be used for therapeutic heating. The td-EIT system also serves dual purposes by providing both the stimulation protocol and the temperature measurement capability, reducing the need for separate dedicated equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The nanoparticles themselves serve as the heating elements through their intrinsic electromagnetic properties. They automatically convert electromagnetic energy to thermal energy without requiring external heating mechanisms, and the temperature distribution they create naturally provides the contrast needed for imaging, eliminating the need for complex external heating control systems
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
This approach effectively indicates the presence and location of nanoparticles within the body by producing a 'hotspot' in EIT images, even if they have migrated inside cells, providing a more accurate imaging method compared to existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
stimulating comprises applying electromagnetic radiation or an oscillating magnetic field comprising a frequency in the range 2.5 GHz to 2.7 GHz to said part, the frequency being the resonant frequency of the nanoparticles such that regions not containing nanoparticles are heated by said stimulation, but one or more regions containing nanoparticles is or are heated at a faster rate by said stimulation
Implementation Method 2
the frequency being the resonant frequency of the nanoparticles
Implementation Method 3
imaging the part using time-difference electrical impedance tomography (td-EIT) at a later second time using the reference values in the td-EIT to determine change in impedance at the later second time
Data Source
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Figure 2
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AI summary
A method of indicating the location nanoparticles in the body of a mammal, which method comprises the steps of: (a) stimulating nanoparticles within a part of the body to produce heat so that there is a temperature differential in said part; and (b) imaging the part using electrical impedance tomography, the location of nanoparticles indicated by one or more region within said part having a greater temperature than other regions of said part.