Optical Tomography for Peripheral Artery Disease
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic techniques for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are invasive, costly, and limited in their ability to accurately assess blood flow in non-compressible arteries, particularly in diabetic patients, leading to inconsistent and subjective evaluations.
Innovation Solution
Optical tomography systems using visible and near-infrared light to detect oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations and blood volume, providing non-invasive, objective imaging of vascular dynamics without the need for contrast agents or compressible arteries, enabling the creation of cross-sectional and volumetric images of blood flow in the lower extremities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) is used to diagnose LEAD, then imaging accuracy is improved, but patient exposure to ionizing radiation and nephrotoxic contrast media increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive DSA system with an optical imaging system that uses light to detect blood flow and vascular structures. This substitution eliminates the need for ionizing radiation and nephrotoxic contrast media while providing non-invasive imaging capability for diagnosing LEAD.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary substance to visualize blood flow and vascular structures. By using light interaction with blood (absorption, scattering) as a mediator, the system achieves imaging without direct contrast agent injection or radiation exposure, resolving the harmful effects of traditional DSA.
2Device complexity
If traditional non-imaging techniques (palpation, pressure cuffs) are used to assess LEAD, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement reliability and objectivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective mechanical assessment methods (palpation, pressure cuffs) with an optical imaging system that provides objective visualization of blood flow. This substitution maintains relative simplicity while dramatically improving reliability by eliminating human subjectivity from the assessment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes optical properties including light absorption and scattering variations to detect blood flow dynamics. By measuring changes in light interaction with blood (which can manifest as intensity or spectral changes), the system provides objective, quantifiable data that replaces subjective tactile assessment.
3Measurement precision
If invasive procedures (arterial catheters) are used for blood pressure monitoring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but patient risk of adverse effects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical catheter-based measurement with non-invasive optical detection. By using light to detect blood flow and vascular dynamics, the system achieves accurate measurement of hemodynamic parameters without penetrating the skin or entering blood vessels, thereby eliminating the risks associated with invasive procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If current techniques are used to diagnose LEAD in diabetic patients, then diagnostic capability is limited, but the ability to assess blood flow in non-compressible arteries remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces compression-based diagnostic techniques with optical imaging that does not rely on arterial compressibility. By using light interaction with blood flow directly, the system can assess blood flow in non-compressible calcified arteries commonly found in diabetic patients, thereby improving both adaptability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental measurement parameter from mechanical compression response to optical properties (light absorption, scattering). This parameter change enables accurate blood flow assessment in non-compressible arteries by relying on optical interactions rather than mechanical deformability, expanding diagnostic capability for diabetic patients.
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 frequent, non-invasive assessment of PAD, providing objective and reliable imaging of blood flow and vascular changes, particularly in diabetic patients, with the potential for earlier detection and monitoring of vascular diseases.
Implementation Method 1
Optical tomographic imaging uses signals from the amplitude attenuation or phase modification of light scattered by a tissue or sample
Implementation Method 2
Amplitude attenuation and phase shift of the received light relative to the injected light can be used to resolve spatial information regarding the absorbing and scattering media in the target
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed subject matter includes optical tomographic systems for acquiring and displaying dynamic data representing changes in a target tissue sample to external provocation. For example, the disclosed devices, methods and systems may be used for quantifying dynamic vascular changes caused by imposed blood pressure changes for diagnosing peripheral artery disease.