Non-invasive Optical Tissue Analysis for Scar Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating collagen concentration in tissues are invasive, time-consuming, and costly, and fail to accurately differentiate between hypertrophic scars, keloids, and normal scars, which hinders effective treatment modalities.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive optical system using a multi-wavelength light source to illuminate tissues, detecting diffuse reflectance spectra, and converting them into absorption spectra to derive concentrations of chromophores like collagen, melanin, hemoglobin, and water through a specific equation, allowing for quick and accurate collagen concentration measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If slide examination is used to evaluate component concentrations in tissues, then measurement precision is improved, but invasiveness increases causing wounds and scars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive slide examination system with a non-invasive optical detection system. Specifically, it uses diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to measure tissue optical properties and derives component concentrations (collagen, elastin, water, lipids, proteins) without physical tissue extraction, thereby eliminating wounds and scars while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical properties (absorption and scattering coefficients) as intermediary parameters that can be non-invasively measured and then converted into component concentration information. The optical properties serve as a mediator between the non-invasive measurement and the desired compositional data, allowing indirect but accurate evaluation of tissue components
2Measurement precision
If multi-photon microscopy is used to obtain structural information, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases and system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential optical properties (absorption and scattering coefficients) needed for component concentration evaluation, rather than using the full complexity of multi-photon microscopy. By focusing on diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and deriving concentrations from optical properties, it obtains sufficient structural and compositional information with reduced measurement time and lower system cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from complex multi-photon imaging to simpler diffuse reflectance spectroscopy measurements. It measures optical properties at specific wavelengths and uses spectral unmixing to derive component concentrations, thereby achieving efficient evaluation with shorter measurement time and reduced system complexity
3Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods are used to identify scar types, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability decreases due to inability to differentiate hypertrophic scars and keloids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds spectral dimension to scar characterization by measuring optical properties across multiple wavelengths and analyzing the spectral signatures of different components. It uses the ratios and patterns of component concentrations (particularly collagen, elastin, and water) to differentiate between hypertrophic scars and keloids, providing enhanced adaptability for various scar type identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal detection system that can evaluate multiple tissue components (collagen, elastin, water, lipids, proteins) and apply to various scar types and potentially other tissue conditions. The same optical measurement and spectral unmixing approach works for differentiating hypertrophic scars, keloids, and normal skin, demonstrating versatility across multiple diagnostic applications
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 accurate, non-invasive, and cost-effective evaluation of collagen concentration and distribution in tissues, effectively distinguishing between hypertrophic scars, keloids, and normal scars, with potential applications in skin disease diagnosis and cosmetic dermatology.
Implementation Method 1
detecting reflected light from the tested tissue with a detector in multiple directions to obtain diffuse reflectance spectra
Implementation Method 2
converting the diffuse reflectance spectra into absorption spectra; and fitting the absorption spectra with known chromophore absorption spectra to derive concentrations of components
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an optical system for evaluating the spatial distribution of the concentrations of components in tissue are disclosed. The novel detecting probe included in the optical system comprises plural optical fiber sets, each optical fiber set respectively comprises at least one source optical fiber and at least one detector optical fiber, the source optical fiber connects with the multi-wavelength light source, the source optical fiber delivers light from the multi-wavelength light source onto a tested tissue; and the angle between one optical fiber set and another optical fiber set is greater than 0° and less than and not equal to 180°. Through the optical system of the present invention, the spatial distribution of the concentrations of components such as water, hemoglobin, melanin, lipid, and collagen in the tested tissue can be derived by an equation (I) defined in the present specification.