Phantom Light Absorber Acoustic Impedance Mismatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing phantom for photoacoustic imaging systems struggles to accurately distinguish tumor regions due to similar acoustic and light propagation characteristics, making it difficult to adjust oxygen saturation and recognize shape information simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A phantom with a light absorber and base material that approximates human tissue light absorption coefficients at multiple wavelengths, featuring distinct acoustic propagation characteristics to allow for accurate oxygen saturation calculation and shape identification using both photoacoustic and ultrasonic wave diagnostic apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the acoustic propagation characteristics of the base material and light absorber are made similar to human tissues, then the photoacoustic imaging accuracy is improved, but the shape recognition capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom is designed with heterogeneous structure where the base material simulates human tissue acoustic properties for overall photoacoustic imaging accuracy, while the light absorber is embedded with distinct acoustic characteristics (different acoustic impedance) to enable shape recognition. This local differentiation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single pigment is used to adjust absorption coefficient, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the oxygen saturation adjustment capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light absorber is constructed using a composite material system consisting of multiple pigments (carbon black and/or India ink) mixed in specific ratios. This composite approach enables independent adjustment of absorption coefficients at different wavelengths, allowing precise control of oxygen saturation simulation while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing procedures.
3Measurement precision
If the acoustic propagation characteristics of base material and light absorber are made the same, then the photoacoustic imaging performance is improved, but the ultrasonic shape detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom employs local quality differentiation where the base material is formulated to match human tissue acoustic properties for optimal photoacoustic imaging, while the embedded light absorber contains acoustic contrast agents or is structured to create detectable acoustic impedance differences. This enables ultrasonic detection of the light absorber shape and position, providing anatomical reference information that complements the functional photoacoustic data.
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 solution enables precise accuracy control of oxygen saturation and shape information, enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of photoacoustic imaging systems while differentiating tumor regions from noise.
Implementation Method 1
a light absorber is contained in a phantom base material, the light absorber approximates the light absorption coefficient ratio at two or more wavelengths to that of biological tissues
Implementation Method 2
the acoustic propagation characteristics of the phantom base material and the light absorber are different from each other
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a phantom whose light propagation characteristics and acoustic propagation characteristics are similar to those of human tissues and which allows detection of an absorber also with an ultrasonic wave diagnostic apparatus and allows adjustment of the oxygen saturation.A phantom has light absorbers 12a to 12d in a phantom base material 11, in which the light absorbers 12a to 12d approximate the light absorption coefficient ratio at two or more wavelengths to that of biological tissues, and the acoustic propagation characteristics of the phantom base material 11 and the light absorbers 12a to 12d are different from each other.