NIR Resonator-Waveguide Imaging for Label-Free Tissue Sensing

The patent replaces conventional mechanical imaging systems (X-ray, CT, ultrasound) with an optical/resonant sensing system. Instead of using ionizing radiation or mechanical waves, the system uses near-infrared light interacting with resonant structures (whispering gallery mode resonators, dielectric waveguides) to obtain diagnostic information through optical property measurements, thereby eliminating ionizing radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic capability

The patent changes the physical parameter used for imaging from ionizing radiation/mechanical waves to near-infrared optical properties. By measuring changes in optical absorption, scattering, and resonant frequency shifts of the resonant structures, the system achieves diagnostic information without harmful radiation, utilizing parameter transformation from harmful physical forms to safe optical measurements

The patent utilizes resonant oscillation of electromagnetic waves in whispering gallery mode resonators and dielectric waveguides to enhance spatial resolution. The resonant structures concentrate electromagnetic energy at specific locations and frequencies, enabling sub-diffraction-limited spatial resolution through resonance-enhanced field confinement and evanescent mode coupling

The patent introduces resonant structures (WGM resonators, dielectric waveguides) as intermediary elements between the near-infrared light source and the tissue sample. These intermediaries enhance the interaction between light and tissue by concentrating electromagnetic fields, thereby improving spatial resolution and contrast differentiation through resonance-enhanced optical property measurements

The patent enables label-free biochemical sensing where the resonant structures themselves serve as the detection element. The resonators directly detect molecular interactions through changes in their resonant frequency and quality factor without requiring external labels, fluorophores, or complex sample preparation steps, thereby achieving rapid molecular detection through self-service sensing

The patent replaces conventional biochemical sensing methods (fluorescence assays, colorimetric methods) with resonant optical sensing. Instead of relying on fluorescent tags or color changes that require complex preparation, the system uses near-infrared light interacting with resonant structures to detect molecular properties through optical property changes, enabling rapid, label-free molecular detection

The patent segments the diagnostic system into modular components: compact near-infrared light sources, integrated resonant sensing structures, and portable detection circuits. This segmentation enables the system to be divided into smaller, more manageable units that can be deployed in point-of-care settings while maintaining full biochemical sensing capability

The patent designs the resonant sensing platform to be universally applicable for multiple diagnostic functions (imaging, spectroscopy, biosensing) using the same core resonant structures and near-infrared light source. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity and cost by eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for each diagnostic application