Passive Voltage Measurement for Cancerous Tissue Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for real-time cancerous tissue detection during surgery, such as the iKnife and ZedScan, require active measurements and are not suitable for wide clinical deployment or clinical applications, necessitating a more straightforward and effective approach to differentiate between normal and cancerous tissues.
Innovation Solution
A passive method using a system comprising a tungsten electrode and a silver/silver chloride electrode to measure the voltage of biological tissues, which is simpler and does not require sending a signal into the tissue, allowing for the detection of cancerous tissues based on their lower voltage levels compared to non-cancerous tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active measurement methods (EIS, ZedScan) are used to detect cancerous tissues, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring signal transmission into tissue
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of actively transmitting signals into the tissue to measure electrical properties (conventional EIS approach), the patent inverts the approach by passively measuring the tissue's inherent voltage without external signal input. This simplifies the device while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue itself serves as the signal source by generating its own voltage (bioelectric potential), eliminating the need for external signal transmission equipment. The measurement system only needs to detect and record this self-generated voltage.
2Ease of operation
If passive voltage measurement method is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to lack of active signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrical impedance (requiring active signal) to inherent voltage potential (passive measurement). This parameter change enables simpler operation while maintaining precision through the use of high-impedance voltmeters and proper electrode configuration.
3Measurement precision
If iKnife (REIMS) is used for real-time tumour detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to requiring detailed chemical spectrum databases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential voltage measurement function from complex spectroscopic systems. By focusing solely on measuring electrical voltage rather than performing full chemical spectroscopy, the system removes unnecessary complexity while retaining the ability to distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue.
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 method enables accurate and straightforward in-situ detection of cancerous tissues during surgery, providing a portable and wireless solution for real-time monitoring and data transmission, with the potential to improve surgical decision-making by distinguishing between cancerous and healthy tissues based on voltage differences.
Implementation Method 1
A passive method using a system comprising a tungsten electrode and a silver/silver chloride electrode to measure the voltage of biological tissues, which is simpler and does not require sending a signal into the tissue
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and method useful for determining the voltage of biological tissues and therefore to detect whether such tissues are cancerous.