Photoacoustic Needle Tip Inspection via Signal Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photoacoustic imaging systems using puncture needles face challenges in generating accurate images due to issues like laser light source deterioration, optical fiber damage, or photoacoustic wave generation efficiency decreases, making it difficult to detect normal output from the needle tip.
Innovation Solution
A photoacoustic image generation apparatus with a light guide member, photoacoustic wave generation portion, acoustic wave detection unit, and control unit that displays signal intensity information to verify the tip position and output of photoacoustic waves, allowing for insert inspection and correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If photoacoustic imaging is performed using a puncture needle with a photoacoustic wave generation portion at the tip, then the position of the puncture needle can be visualized and checked, but the system cannot detect whether the photoacoustic wave output is normal when issues occur with the laser light source, optical fiber, or photoacoustic wave generation portion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs photoacoustic imaging and simultaneously detects the photoacoustic wave output from the puncture needle tip. The detected output is fed back to the control unit, which compares it against expected values to determine whether the output is normal, enabling real-time monitoring and detection of abnormalities in the photoacoustic wave generation system
Solution Approach 2:
The puncture needle itself serves as both the tool for performing the medical procedure and the sensor for self-diagnosis. The photoacoustic wave generation portion at the tip generates waves that are detected by the same ultrasound probe used for imaging, allowing the needle to self-check its own functionality without requiring separate diagnostic equipment
2Reliability
If no inspection function is provided for the puncture needle, then the device complexity remains low, but the system cannot detect deterioration or failure of the laser light source, optical fiber, or photoacoustic wave generation portion
Solution Approach 1:
The existing ultrasound probe and photoacoustic imaging system are made multi-functional by enabling them to perform both the medical procedure imaging and the inspection of the puncture needle components. The same hardware used for imaging also serves as the detection mechanism for inspecting the needle, avoiding the need for separate dedicated inspection equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs inspection of the puncture needle components before or during the medical procedure. By detecting the photoacoustic wave output in advance or concurrently with the procedure, the system can identify deteriorated or failed components before they cause problems during treatment
3Reliability
If the laser light output is not emitted due to deterioration or failure, or if the optical fiber is broken or contaminated, then the photoacoustic waves with normal output are not generated, but the system cannot detect this abnormality without additional inspection hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives feedback about the photoacoustic wave output status from the detection signals. By analyzing whether the detected output matches expected characteristics, the system can infer problems with the laser light source or optical fiber without requiring separate sensors or inspection hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The photoacoustic waves themselves serve as the intermediary signal for detection. Instead of using separate sensors to detect the health of the laser or optical fiber, the system uses the photoacoustic waves generated by the needle tip as the detection medium, allowing indirect monitoring of component status through their functional output
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 the detection of normal photoacoustic wave output from the needle tip, ensuring accurate image generation and reducing the need for new hardware, improving convenience and safety by automatically inspecting the puncture needle's installation state.
Implementation Method 1
a photoacoustic wave generation portion that absorbs light and generates photoacoustic waves
Implementation Method 2
ultrasonic waves (photoacoustic waves) are generated by adiabatic expansion caused by the energy
Implementation Method 3
an optical fiber is provided up to the tip of the puncture needle and laser light emitted from a laser light source is guided by the optical fiber to be emitted to the photoacoustic wave generation portion
Implementation Method 4
an ultrasound probe detects the photoacoustic waves and a photoacoustic image is formed on the basis of a detection signal
Data Source
AI summary
An insert having a photoacoustic wave generation portion, an acoustic wave detection unit that detects photoacoustic waves and reflected acoustic waves, a photoacoustic image generation unit that generates a photoacoustic image on the basis of the photoacoustic waves, an image output unit that outputs information on the basis of the photoacoustic waves detected by the acoustic wave detection unit, a tip position detection unit that detects that a tip portion of the insert is disposed at a predetermined detection position with respect to the acoustic wave detection unit, and a control unit that displays information on the basis of intensity of a detection signal of the photoacoustic waves generated from the photoacoustic wave generation portion on image display as an insert inspection mode in a case where it is detected that the tip portion of the insert is disposed at the predetermined detection position are included.