Photoacoustic Tomography Data Processing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photoacoustic tomography diagnostic apparatuses face challenges with complex configurations and increased size due to multiple channels, leading to higher costs and longer image acquisition times, differing from ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses in light irradiation and observation depth, which affect real-time image generation.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized data processing apparatus for photoacoustic tomography that utilizes a calculation circuit with A/D converters, delay adjustment memories, and a memory control circuit to perform a delay-and-sum process efficiently, allowing for high-speed image reconstruction by optimizing the configuration and processing of acoustic wave signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large-scale FPGA chip with high-speed logic memories is used for high-speed image reconstruction, then image reconstruction speed is improved, but apparatus cost increases and memory capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image reconstruction process into multiple stages: data acquisition stage (during light irradiation), intermediate storage stage (using small-capacity FIFO memories for each channel), and post-processing stage (using large-capacity external RAM). This segmentation allows high-speed processing during acquisition while using cost-effective external memory for bulk storage, resolving the contradiction between speed and cost/memory capacity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple channels are used for photoacoustic tomography diagnostic apparatus, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal data processing architecture where multiple acquisition channels share common components: A/D converters, FIFO memories, and the external RAM. This multi-functional design allows precise multi-channel measurement while reducing overall system complexity through resource sharing, directly addressing the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
3Productivity
If real-time image generation is pursued in photoacoustic tomography, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to simultaneous processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by continuously acquiring and storing data from all channels in FIFO memories during the light irradiation period. This preliminary data preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time processing during acquisition, allowing simple post-processing to generate images in real-time, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and device 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 high-speed photoacoustic tomography image reconstruction with a miniaturized configuration, maintaining real-time characteristics without increasing the size or cost of the apparatus, by leveraging the unique features of photoacoustic imaging such as longer light irradiation intervals and shorter data acquisition times.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic wave is generated due to a temperature increase and thermal expansion of an organism of the living body caused from the electromagnetic wave absorption of the living body
Implementation Method 2
an acoustic wave is generated due to a temperature increase and thermal expansion of an organism of the living body caused from the electromagnetic wave absorption
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a received data processing apparatus of photoacoustic tomography including a minimum constitution unit data composition unit that sequentially reads receiving digital signals from first storage units and composes minimum constitution unit data of the acoustic wave of the minimum constitution units by performing a delay-and-sum process; a second storage unit that stores the minimum constitution unit data of the entire region of the specimen; an image construction unit that constructs an image of the specimen based on the minimum constitution unit data stored in the second storage unit; and a control unit that sequentially stores the minimum constitution unit data calculated by the minimum constitution unit data composition unit in the second storage unit and reads the stored minimum constitution unit data of the entire region of the specimen to transmit the minimum constitution unit data to the image construction unit.