Portable Optical Brain Scan for Rapid Hemorrhage Triage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point-of-care diagnostic methods for brain condition states, such as traumatic brain injury or hemorrhagic stroke, are inadequate for asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cases, and existing CT scanners are not suitable for mass screening due to infrastructure requirements and radiation exposure, leading to delayed and incomplete treatment decisions.
Innovation Solution
A portable detection system that calibrates power zones in real-time using Signal-to-Noise ratios and performs diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to detect brain condition states by generating lobe fit values and classifying logarithmic ratios through curve fitting and classification techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CT scanners are used for reliable brain condition state detection, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but portability and infrastructure requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical and infrastructure-heavy CT scanner system with an optical detection system using LEDs and photodetectors. This substitution enables brain condition state detection through optical signals transmitted through the skull, eliminating the need for bulky CT equipment while maintaining diagnostic capability for intracranial bleeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified optical copy of the CT scanning function. Instead of using ionizing radiation and complex image reconstruction, the system uses visible light transmission and absorption measurements to detect brain conditions, providing a portable alternative that copies the essential diagnostic function without the infrastructure requirements.
2Reliability
If CT scanners are used for brain condition state detection, then diagnostic reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to need for expert radiologist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated processing of optical signals. The system automatically transmits light through the skull, detects absorption patterns, and processes the signals to identify intracranial bleeds without requiring expert radiologist interpretation. This makes the diagnostic tool accessible to semi-skilled staff while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback through automated signal processing and analysis. The optical detection system continuously monitors light transmission and automatically compares patterns against known bleed signatures, providing immediate diagnostic feedback without requiring expert interpretation of complex images.
3Ease of operation
If traditional triaging methodologies like GCS are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision worsens for asymptomatic subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the brain into multiple measurement zones (frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital lobes) and performs independent optical measurements on each zone. This segmentation allows detection of localized intracranial bleeds that would be invisible to global assessment methods like GCS, while maintaining simple operation through automated multi-zone scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of detection by measuring optical properties of brain tissue directly through the skull, rather than relying on behavioral responses. This dimensional shift from behavioral assessment to physical property measurement enables detection of asymptomatic subjects while keeping the device simple to operate.
4Measurement precision
If CT scanners are deployed for mass screening, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time worsens due to infrastructure and expert availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection at the point of injury using portable optical scanning, before subjects are transported to facilities with CT scanners. This preliminary action enables immediate identification of intracranial bleeds in the field, eliminating time delays associated with transporting asymptomatic subjects to imaging facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The replacement of CT scanners with portable optical detection systems enables mass screening in the field without requiring infrastructure setup time. The lightweight device can be deployed immediately at injury sites, performing rapid optical scans that take seconds per subject, dramatically reducing the time loss associated with traditional screening methods.
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 fast and efficient detection of brain hemorrhage by non-invasive, semi-skilled personnel, improving triage accuracy and treatment timelines.
Implementation Method 1
calibrating a power zone of the portable detection system in real-time based on a Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio detected from at least one reflected signal received on scanning a part of the subject's lobe
Data Source
AI summary
Present disclosure describes the method and system for detecting the brain condition state of a subject. Method comprising calibrating a power zone of the system in real-time and detecting a reflected signal for each of a plurality of transmitted input signals on scanning each of lobe locations of the subject after calibration. Thereafter, method comprising validating an array generated using the plurality of transmitted input signal and corresponding reflected signal for each of the lobe locations and generating a lobe fit value for the validated array using a curve fitting technique. Subsequently, method comprising computing logarithmic ratios corresponding to four pairs of contralateral lobe location, six pairs of ipsilateral lobe locations in left hemisphere and six pairs of ipsilateral lobe locations in right hemisphere using the lobe fit value and classifying the logarithmic ratios into one of brain condition state classes by comparing with pre-labelled logarithmic ratios stored in system.