RF Resonant Loop Imaging for Noninvasive Tumor Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cancer detection methods, such as X-ray mammography and MRI, are costly, inconvenient, and invasive, leading to high false negatives and increased risk of metastasis due to delayed diagnoses, while noninvasive methods like bioimpedance and ultrasound suffer from low accuracy and high costs, necessitating a more convenient, accurate, and noninvasive method for large-population cancer screening.
Innovation Solution
A method using radio-frequency (RF) planar resonant loop sensors on a flexible film to create localization maps of resonant frequencies and reflection coefficients for subcutaneous tumor detection, with image processing to enhance tumor localization and differentiation between benign and malignant lesions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray mammography is used for breast cancer screening, then detection capability is improved, but patient discomfort and financial burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical compression systems (mammography) with electromagnetic resonance sensing systems. The resonant sensor detects tissue dielectric properties without physical compression, eliminating patient discomfort while maintaining detection capability through electromagnetic field interactions with cancerous tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical compression effects to electromagnetic resonance frequency shifts. By measuring resonant frequency changes caused by cancerous tissue dielectric properties, the system achieves accurate detection without the harmful mechanical compression of traditional mammography.
2Measurement precision
If MRI is used to increase screening accuracy, then false negative rate is reduced, but instrument cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive resonant sensors that can be disposed of or reused after single or limited use. These simple electromagnetic resonance sensors replace expensive MRI instruments, achieving comparable detection accuracy through targeted resonance measurement rather than full-body imaging, thereby dramatically reducing instrument cost and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential detection function from complex MRI systems by isolating the specific task of detecting dielectric property changes in targeted tissue areas. The resonant sensor system performs only this specific function efficiently, eliminating the need for expensive, complex MRI instrumentation while maintaining screening accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If frequent X-ray exposure is used to improve detection, then early cancer identification is enhanced, but radiation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ionizing radiation-based detection (X-ray) with non-ionizing electromagnetic resonance detection. The resonant sensor uses radio frequency electromagnetic fields to detect tissue dielectric properties, achieving early cancer identification without the harmful radiation effects of X-ray exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection mechanism from ionizing radiation interaction to non-ionizing electromagnetic resonance. By measuring resonance frequency shifts in the radio frequency range, the system achieves sensitive early cancer detection without the carcinogenic risks associated with repeated X-ray exposure.
4Ease of operation
If dermoscopy with visual analysis is used for skin cancer diagnosis, then noninvasive examination is achieved, but diagnostic accuracy decreases due to examiner dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual analysis with objective electromagnetic resonance measurement. The resonant sensor quantifies tissue dielectric properties through resonance frequency shifts, providing standardized, examiner-independent diagnostic data that eliminates variability in human visual assessment while maintaining noninvasive examination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the tissue itself to provide diagnostic information through its inherent dielectric properties that affect resonance frequency. The cancerous tissue's electrical characteristics directly modulate the sensor response, allowing the tissue to 'self-diagnose' its pathological state without requiring examiner interpretation skills.
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 noninvasive, cost-effective, and accurate detection of subcutaneous tumors and skin lesions, reducing the need for invasive procedures and improving early cancer identification, thereby reducing metastasis risks.
Implementation Method 1
creating a first localization map of resonant frequencies of an area including the possible tumor using the detector
Implementation Method 2
radio-frequency (RF) planar resonant loop sensors... create localization maps of resonant frequencies and reflection coefficients
Data Source
AI summary
A method for non-invasively identifying a location of a subcutaneous tumor comprising: providing a patient with a possible subcutaneous tumor; providing a detector comprising one or more radio-frequency (RF) planar resonant loop sensors, each sensor comprising a planar resonant loop and an element disposed within and co-planar with a loop formed by the planar resonant loop; creating a first localization map of resonant frequencies of an area including the possible tumor using the detector; and creating a second localization map of |s11| reflection coefficients of the area including the possible tumor using the detector.