Optical Functional Tissue Localization via Difference Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating functional brain tissue areas during tumor operations in eloquent brain regions face limitations due to low resolution and risks associated with contact-based electrophysiological methods, and optical imaging methods require extensive image averaging and expensive equipment, leading to time-consuming procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that record images of brain tissue regions with and without stimulation using measurement illumination that changes optical properties, allowing for the determination of functional tissue areas by forming a difference image, which increases contrast and reduces the influence of background illumination, and optionally uses pulsed illumination and topography correction to enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact-based electrophysiological methods are used to locate functional tissue areas, then functional areas can be detected, but the resolution is limited by electrode size and spacing, and risks arise from contacting tissue with foreign material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based electrophysiological measurement systems with a non-contact optical measurement system. Instead of using physical electrodes that contact the brain tissue, the invention uses optical illumination and detection methods to measure functional areas, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of foreign material contact while achieving high resolution through optical means
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical imaging methods are used to locate functional tissue areas, then contact risks are eliminated, but the changes in reflected light are of low intensity requiring extensive image averaging and expensive monochrome cameras with long integration times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of illumination wavelength to specific wavelengths where functional tissue areas exhibit strong optical property changes during stimulation. By selecting wavelengths that maximize the contrast between stimulated and non-stimulated areas, the system achieves sufficient signal intensity without requiring extensive image averaging or expensive specialized cameras, thereby reducing operation time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic stimulation of the functional tissue areas and synchronizes the optical measurement with these periodic stimulations. By capturing images during and between stimulation periods and using difference imaging, the system enhances the detection of functional areas while reducing the need for extensive averaging, thus decreasing the time required
3Measurement precision
If multiple images with and without stimulation are recorded and averaged to obtain usable images, then functional areas can be detected, but the procedure becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for functional area detection by using difference imaging between stimulated and non-stimulated states. Instead of requiring multiple averaged images, the system captures a limited number of images and extracts the functional area information through difference calculation, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while significantly reducing the time required
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 enables more efficient and accurate localization of functional tissue areas with improved contrast, reducing operation time and minimizing risks associated with contact-based methods, while allowing for precise characterization of functional areas.
Implementation Method 1
measurement illumination with at least one wavelength at which the stimulation in the functional tissue regions leads to a change in at least one optical property of the reflected measurement illumination
Implementation Method 2
change in at least one optical property of the reflected measurement illumination
Data Source
AI summary
Functional tissue areas in a tissue region are located by illuminating the tissue by measurement illumination. Stimulation in the functional tissue areas leads to a change in at least one optical property of the reflected measurement illumination compared to the original measurement illumination. The functional tissue areas are located based on the change in the at least one optical property of the reflected measurement illumination by determining the difference between a stimulation image of the tissue region obtained during the stimulation and a comparison image of the tissue region obtained without stimulation. The difference may be formed from at least one image recorded with the measurement illumination and at least one image recorded without the measurement illumination to bring about an increase in contrast. An obtained image may be corrected on the basis of the determined topography of the tissue region to bring about an increase in contrast.