Scatterer Measurement via Phase-Aligned Light for Vessel-Specific Lipid Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current noninvasive lipid measurement methods lack specificity for different blood vessels, as they measure all blood vessels indiscriminately, failing to provide detailed insights into lipid metabolism in arteries and capillaries, which is crucial for diagnosing postprandial hyperlipidemia.

Innovation Solution

A scatterer measuring apparatus and method that uses phase-aligned light to detect blood flow rate and scatterer concentration in the body, allowing for the differentiation of lipid metabolism in specific blood vessels by calculating these parameters based on temporal changes in light intensity distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If noninvasive lipid measurement is performed on all blood vessels indiscriminately, then measurement can be done anywhere in the body, but measurement precision and ability to detect specific blood vessel lipid metabolism is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement location flexibilityVSAvoidblood vessel type specificity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using light of specific wavelengths that selectively penetrate and interact with different types of blood vessels. By choosing wavelengths that are preferentially absorbed or scattered by arterial blood versus venous or capillary blood, the system achieves vessel-type-specific measurement while maintaining noninvasive capability across multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes optical parameters (wavelength, intensity, pulse duration) to differentiate between blood vessel types. By varying these parameters and analyzing the temporal and spectral characteristics of the reflected or transmitted light, the system can identify and measure lipid metabolism specifically in arteries, capillaries, or veins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If blood collection is performed multiple times over 6 to 8 hours to diagnose postprandialhyperlipidemia, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but loss of time and operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous noninvasive monitoring of lipid metabolism parameters in real-time. Instead of discrete blood collections, the system continuously measures optical properties of blood in specific vessels, providing temporally resolved data that captures postprandial lipid changes without requiring repeated patient visits or prolonged restraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical/invasive blood collection process with optical measurement. By using light interaction with blood components (lipoproteins, cholesterol) in living vessels, the system obtains lipid metabolism information noninvasively, eliminating the need for repeated needle punctures and blood sampling while maintaining diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If detailed study of lipid metabolism in specific blood vessels is required, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and measurement difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetabolism study detailVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement approach by targeting specific blood vessel types (arteries, capillaries, veins) through selective optical excitation and detection. By dividing the complex task of whole-body lipid measurement into vessel-specific components using wavelength differentiation and temporal analysis, the system achieves detailed metabolism studies without requiring a completely complex new apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses optical properties (absorption, scattering, fluorescence) of blood components as intermediaries to indirectly measure lipid metabolism in specific vessels. These optical signatures act as mediators that translate internal metabolic states into externally detectable signals, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 scatterer information, specifically in capillaries, providing detailed insights into lipid metabolism and allowing for more accurate diagnosis of postprandial hyperlipidemia, even outside clinical settings.

Implementation Method 1

a light intensity detector that detects a light intensity distribution of light emitted from the living body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

detects a light intensity distribution of light emitted from the living body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical interference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP3583893B1Scattered body measurement device and scattered body measurement method
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 MEDICAL PHOTONICS CO LTD
  • EP3583893B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3583893B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3583893B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

[Problem to be Solved] There is provided an apparatus and a method that allow detection of scatterer information. [Solution] A scatterer measuring apparatus includes an irradiator that radiates phase-aligned light having a predetermined light intensity to a predetermined site of a living body from outside the living body toward an interior of the living body, a light intensity detector that detects the light intensity distribution of light emitted from the living body, and a controller that calculates a blood flow rate based on a temporal change in the light intensity distribution and calculates scatterer concentration in the living body based on the blood flow rate.