Optode Imaging System for Real-Time Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical diagnostic techniques for tissue analysis lack efficient and non-invasive methods to detect analytes such as cancer cells or biomarkers, especially in real-time during surgical procedures or for point-of-care applications, due to limitations in sensitivity and specificity.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising light sources, optodes embedded in tissue, and an optical filter arrangement with detectors that illuminate the optodes with excitation light, causing them to emit emission light indicative of analyte presence, which is filtered and detected to provide diagnostic information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional optical sensors are used for tissue analysis, then the system is simple, but the sensitivity and specificity for detecting analytes are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection function by embedding multiple individual optodes at different tissue locations, each capable of independent analyte detection. This segmentation allows parallel monitoring of multiple sites simultaneously, improving overall detection sensitivity while distributing system complexity across modular components rather than requiring a single complex sensor
Solution Approach 2:
Optical filters serve as intermediaries between the optodes and detectors, selectively transmitting specific wavelength bands corresponding to different analyte signatures. This intermediary component enables specific analyte detection by filtering out background noise and cross-interference, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complex signal processing
2Productivity
If multiple optodes are embedded at different locations, then real-time detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detectors are merged into a single detector array that simultaneously receives signals from multiple optodes. The detector array is positioned to collect emission light from all optode locations in parallel, enabling real-time multi-location monitoring without requiring separate detection systems for each optode, thus improving productivity while controlling complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter arrangement is designed with universal functionality to handle signals from multiple optodes simultaneously. Each filter in the array can process emission wavelengths from different analytes across multiple optode locations, allowing a single filter-detector system to perform multiple detection functions rather than requiring dedicated systems for each location
3Measurement precision
If optical filters are used for each optode, then analyte detection specificity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each optical filter in the array is designed with local quality optimized for its specific function - transmitting wavelength bands corresponding to particular analyte emission spectra. This localized optimization allows each filter to be manufactured using standard optical filter production techniques, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving high detection specificity through wavelength-selective filtering
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves different detection specificities by changing the optical parameters (wavelength transmission bands) of the filters rather than using physically different filter structures. This parameter-based differentiation allows standard filter manufacturing processes to produce multiple filter types with different spectral characteristics, improving analyte detection specificity without increasing manufacturing complexity
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, real-time detection of analytes like cancer cells or biomarkers, allowing for precise surgical margins identification and non-invasive medical diagnoses, with potential for intra-operative tumor imaging and point-of-care applications.
Implementation Method 1
The excitation light causes the optodes to emit emission light. The optodes are sensitive to at least one analyte such that the emission light emitted by the optodes is indicative of a presence or absence of at least one analyte in the tissue.
Implementation Method 2
The optical filter arrangement includes for each optode in the plurality of optodes a corresponding set of one or more optical filters.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems disclosed herein may be operable to detect a presence or absence of an analyte in human tissue. An example method includes operating one or more light sources to illuminate a plurality of optodes with excitation light. Each optode is embedded in tissue at a respective location. The excitation light causes the optodes to emit emission light and the optodes are sensitive to at least one analyte such that the emission light emitted by the optodes is indicative of a presence or absence of at least one analyte in the tissue. An optical filter arrangement includes for each optode in the plurality of optodes a corresponding set of one or more optical filters. The method includes obtaining detector information from a detector arrangement optically coupled to the optical filter arrangement, and detecting the at least one analyte based on the detector information.