Spatio-temporal Mass Spectrometry Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for spatially-navigated mass spectrometry tissue characterization during surgery face challenges in accurately compensating for the time delay caused by the propagation of surgical smoke from the surgical site to the mass spectrometer, particularly with electrocautery tools, where precise determination of the electrocautery mode and location is critical for accurate metabolomic analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an electrical device to deliver an energy event, desorbing analytes for analysis using mass spectrometry, non-invasively sensing electrical signals from the device, tracking its location in three dimensions, and using a processor for spatial-temporal alignment of mass spectrometry data to identify and localize the analyte within the energy event site, employing techniques like REIMS and 3-D tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mass spectrometry is used for tissue characterization, then metabolomic analysis sensitivity is improved, but time delay compensation accuracy deteriorates due to aerosol propagation delay
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses electrical signal sensing as a feedback mechanism to detect the electrocautery tool activation in real-time. The sensed electrical signals provide immediate feedback about the tool's operational state, which is then used to compensate for the time delay in mass spectrometry data acquisition and achieve accurate spatio-temporal alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrical signal sensing acts as an intermediary mechanism between the electrocautery tool activation and the mass spectrometry detection. By detecting electrical signals that propagate faster than aerosol, the system obtains an intermediate measurement that helps synchronize and compensate for the slower aerosol-based metabolomic analysis.
2Measurement precision
If electrocautery mode determination is performed, then tissue analysis accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrical signal sensing as an intermediary to indirectly determine electrocautery mode without requiring direct complex sensing at the tissue interface. The electrical signals provide information about tool activation and mode that can be processed to infer tissue interaction state, simplifying the overall sensing architecture while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical or direct physical sensing at the tissue site with electrical signal sensing. Instead of using intricate sensors to directly measure tissue properties during electrocautery, the system substitutes this with non-invasive electrical signal detection that provides equivalent information about tool operation and tissue interaction.
3Measurement precision
If 3-D tracking is implemented, then spatial localization accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges 3-D tracking data with electrical signal sensing and mass spectrometry data into a unified spatio-temporal alignment framework. By combining these separate measurement streams and synchronizing them through the electrical signal timestamp, the system achieves accurate spatial localization without requiring each subsystem to operate independently, thus managing complexity through integration.
4Reliability
If non-invasive electrical signal sensing is used, then isolation from clinical tool is improved, but signal classification accuracy deteriorates due to signal variability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of electrical signals into distinct modes (cut, coagulation, dissection) before using them for spatio-temporal alignment. By pre-categorizing signals based on their characteristic patterns, the system prepares the data in advance, making it easier to accurately match mass spectrometry data with the correct surgical action and tissue type.
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 robust and accurate identification of the electrocautery tool's mode and location, facilitating precise spatio-temporal alignment of mass spectrometry data, thereby improving tissue analysis accuracy and compensating for variable time delays in aerosol propagation.
Implementation Method 1
using an electrical device to deliver an energy event to a substrate; desorbing analyte for analysis from a site of the energy event
Implementation Method 2
analyzing the analyte using mass spectrometry
Implementation Method 3
tracking a location of the electrical device in three dimensions during the energy event
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for spatially localizing mass-spectrometry analysis of an analyte derived from an energy event, an electrical device is used to deliver an energy event to a substrate, and the analyte produced is analyzed using mass spectrometry. Electrical signals sent to and received from the electrical device under different modes of operation are sensed and classified according to each different mode of operation. A location of the electrical device is tracked in three dimensions during the energy event, and a processor is used to perform spatial-temporal alignment of the mass-spectrometry, the determined modes of operation of the electrical device, and the tracked location of the electrical device, wherein mass spectrometry data corresponding to the determined modes of the electrical device are identified and localized within the site of the energy event. The substrate may be tissue in a surgical site, and the electrical device may be an electrocautery device.