Photoacoustic Needle Insert With Through-Hole Tip Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoacoustic imaging techniques using puncture needles suffer from low signal intensity and visibility of the needle tip due to photoacoustic waves being reflected from the inner metal surface, leading to artifacts at unintended positions.
Innovation Solution
An insert with a hollow shape and a through-hole in the wall portion, containing a photoacoustic wave generation unit fixed to the through-hole, which emits photoacoustic waves from both the opening and through-hole, enhancing tip detection sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If photoacoustic waves are generated from the photoacoustic wave generation portion in the puncture needle, then the tip position can be visualized, but the signal intensity is low and visibility is poor due to reflection from the inner metal surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the photoacoustic wave generation function from the metal needle body and places it in a separate photoacoustic wave generation portion made of light-absorbing material. This separation allows the generated waves to escape through the opening without being reflected by the metal inner surface, thereby improving signal intensity and tip detection sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an optical fiber as an intermediary to deliver light to the photoacoustic wave generation portion. The optical fiber transmits light energy to the light-absorbing material at the needle tip, which then converts it to photoacoustic waves that can propagate outward without metal surface reflection interference.
2Ease of operation
If the puncture needle has a metal structure with an opening at the tip, then it can be inserted into the subject, but photoacoustic waves are reflected from the inner metal surface causing artifacts at unintended positions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the photoacoustic wave generation function from the metal needle body and places it in a separate photoacoustic wave generation portion made of light-absorbing material. This separation allows the generated waves to escape through the opening without being reflected by the metal inner surface, thereby improving signal intensity and tip detection sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by making only the photoacoustic wave generation portion light-absorbing while keeping the rest of the needle structure as metal for mechanical strength and insertion capability. This localized functional differentiation allows the needle to maintain its structural integrity while eliminating harmful reflections only where photoacoustic waves are generated.
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
The insert allows for high-accuracy detection of the needle tip by effectively propagating photoacoustic waves without reflection, improving visibility and reducing artifacts.
Implementation Method 1
a photoacoustic wave generation unit that is provided at a light emission end of the light guide member, absorbs light emitted from the light emission end, and generates photoacoustic waves
Data Source
AI summary
An insert includes: a puncture needle main body which has an opening at a tip and is formed in a hollow shape and of which at least a tip portion is inserted into a subject; an optical fiber that is provided in a hollow portion of the puncture needle main body along a length direction of the puncture needle main body; and a photoacoustic wave generation unit that is provided at a light emission end of the optical fiber which is disposed on a tip side of the puncture needle main body, absorbs light emitted from the light emission end, and generates photoacoustic waves. A through-hole is formed in a wall portion forming the hollow portion and the photoacoustic wave generation unit is fixed to the through-hole.