Pulsed Tissue Imaging With Synchronized Camera Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive glucose monitoring systems face challenges in sensitivity, selectivity, and repeatability, and current dental caries detection methods are subjective and difficult to use in early stages, while counterfeit pharmaceutical detection and breast cancer screening face issues with ionizing radiation and low sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing fiber-based super-continuum lasers and short-wave infrared spectroscopy for non-invasive glucose monitoring, dental caries detection, counterfeit drug identification, and breast cancer screening, leveraging spectral fingerprinting and pattern matching to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and provide early detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-invasive glucose monitoring systems are used, then patient comfort and convenience are improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic temporal sampling of glucose measurements over time, capturing multiple readings at different time points to improve accuracy while maintaining non-invasive operation. The temporal dynamics of glucose absorption and clearance are leveraged to distinguish true glucose levels from artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic illumination with pulsed light sources at specific wavelengths, using rhythmic on-off cycles to drive the optical measurement process. This periodic action enables synchronous detection and improves signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining patient comfort.
2Device complexity
If conventional dental caries detection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and early detection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from two-dimensional visual inspection to three-dimensional optical coherence tomography imaging, adding depth resolution to detect early carious lesions beneath the enamel surface. This dimensional enhancement enables early detection while maintaining reasonable system complexity through optical interferometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures changes in optical properties (refractive index, scattering, absorption) of tooth structures as parameters change during caries development. By monitoring these physical parameter changes rather than just visual appearance, early detection precision is improved.
3Measurement precision
If traditional breast cancer screening methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to ionizing radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces ionizing radiation (X-rays) with non-ionizing optical radiation (near-infrared light) to achieve breast tissue imaging. This substitution eliminates harmful radiation effects while maintaining detection capability through optical absorption and scattering measurements by cancerous tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits changes in optical absorption and scattering parameters of breast tissue caused by cancerous transformations. Malignant tissue has different optical properties than healthy tissue, allowing detection through these parameter changes without ionizing radiation.
4Measurement precision
If counterfeit pharmaceutical detection systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal near-infrared spectrometer platform that can analyze multiple pharmaceutical formulations and identify counterfeits across different drug types. This multi-functional approach improves detection precision while avoiding the need for drug-specific complex instrumentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates spectral fingerprints (optical copies) of authentic pharmaceuticals for comparison with suspected samples. By storing reference spectral data and comparing against test samples, authentication precision is improved without requiring complex physical analysis equipment.
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 accurate, non-invasive glucose monitoring, early dental caries detection, effective counterfeit drug identification, and improved breast cancer screening without ionizing radiation, using advanced light sources and spectral analysis techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The camera is configured to receive at least a portion of the pulsed light generated by the one or more semiconductor diodes reflected from the tissue comprising skin
Implementation Method 2
The second detection system is configured to perform a time-of-flight measurement based on a time difference between a first time in which the one or more laser diodes generate laser light and a second time in which the photodiode array receives the at least a received portion of laser light from the one or more laser diodes reflected from the tissue comprising skin
Implementation Method 3
Utilizing fiber-based super-continuum lasers and short-wave infrared spectroscopy for non-invasive glucose monitoring, dental caries detection, counterfeit drug identification, and breast cancer screening, leveraging spectral fingerprinting and pattern matching to enhance signal-to-noise ratio
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement system with active illumination using pulsed semiconductor diodes and a detection system comprising a camera imager with lenses and spectral filters that is synchronized to the pulsed diodes. The light generated by the diodes may comprise visible or near-infrared wavelengths. The measurement system may also comprise a time-of-flight sensor or a beam splitter to separate the diode light into a plurality of spatially separated lights. The detection system may be configured to receive light reflected from tissue comprising skin and may be configured to perform a differential measurement between a hand and another region of tissue. The measurement system including a processor may be configured to identify veins in the hand or measure oxygen level in blood. The system may be used to identify an object or to measure physiological parameters. The system may also be coupled to a cloud service and use artificial intelligence in making decisions.