Optical Palpation Device for Young's Modulus Evaluation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating the mechanical properties of biological tissue, such as cancerous tissue, are subjective and lack objectivity, making it difficult to accurately identify the extent of diseased tissue using manual palpation and existing imaging techniques.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a pressure-sensitive sensing layer with a receiver for electromagnetic radiation to determine strain and stress, allowing for objective and sensitive evaluation of Young's modulus in materials, including biological tissue, by replicating the sense of touch with optical palpation and providing high spatial resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual palpation is used to evaluate mechanical properties of tissue, then the evaluation can be performed simply and portably, but the identification accuracy is low and subjective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical palpation with an optical measurement system. A sensing layer with pressure-sensitive property is positioned on the tissue surface, and electromagnetic radiation (optical coherence tomography) is used to measure strain in the sensing layer, thereby obtaining mechanical property data objectively and quantitatively while maintaining portability and ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensing layer as an intermediary between the tissue and the measurement system. This sensing layer has a known stiffness and pressure-sensitive property, allowing it to transmit mechanical deformation from the tissue to the optical measurement system, enabling accurate and objective strain measurement without direct manual contact.
2Measurement precision
If imaging techniques such as ultrasound elastography are used, then identification accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems (ultrasound elastography, MRI elastography) with a simpler optical measurement system. By using optical coherence tomography to measure strain in a thin sensing layer, the system achieves comparable or superior measurement precision with reduced device complexity and easier operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a thin sensing layer (film) with pressure-sensitive property as the core measurement component. This thin-film approach simplifies the overall system structure compared to bulk imaging systems, while maintaining high measurement precision through optical strain detection in the sensing layer.
3Measurement precision
If a sensing layer with known stiffness is used to determine strain from electromagnetic radiation, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin sensing layer with pressure-sensitive property and known stiffness as the core sensing component. This thin-film design minimizes the complexity of the sensing component while enabling precise strain measurement through optical methods, as the thin layer deforms uniformly and can be characterized by a single stiffness parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct mechanical force measurement to optical strain detection. By measuring strain (dimensionless parameter) in the sensing layer using electromagnetic radiation and applying the known stiffness parameter, the system achieves high measurement precision with a relatively simple sensing component structure.
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
The solution provides objective and high-sensitivity evaluation of mechanical properties, improving the accuracy of identifying diseased tissue and guiding surgical procedures, while enabling minimally invasive assessments.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing layer having a property or dimension that is pressure sensitive
Implementation Method 2
a receiver for electromagnetic radiation arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation that has interacted with at least a portion of the sensing layer
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~5c
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a device for evaluating a mechanical property of a material, in particular the Young's or elastic modulus. The device comprises a sensing layer that has a contact surface for contacting a surface area of the material. The sensing layer has a property or dimension that is pressure sensitive. The device also comprises a detector arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation that propagates through at least the sensing layer. The device is arranged such that, when the contact surface of the sensing layer is in contact with the surface area of the material and a load is applied on at least a portion of the surface area of the material, the detected electromagnetic radiation can be used to determine stress within a portion of the sensing layer, the determined stress being indicative of the mechanical property of the material.