Speckle-Based Optical Monitoring for Non-Invasive Tissue Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring intraocular pressure (IOP) and detecting breast cancer are either invasive, provide incomplete characterization of IOP over time, or have low sensitivity and high false diagnosis rates, necessitating a non-invasive technique for accurate and continuous measurement of biomechanical characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A technique utilizing speckle-based monitoring with coherent illumination and external stimulation, such as acoustic waves, to determine damping parameters of tissue, which correlates with IOP and breast tissue characteristics, enabling continuous monitoring and detection of abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) is used to measure IOP, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the procedure becomes invasive requiring anesthetic eye drops and limiting long-term monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based GAT system with an optical measurement system that uses light to measure IOP through the cornea. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact and anesthetic drops while maintaining measurement capability, thereby resolving the contradiction between accuracy and invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system that measures IOP indirectly through optical properties of the cornea rather than direct mechanical pressure measurement. This intermediary approach allows non-invasive measurement while preserving accuracy by measuring corneal response to pressure changes optically.
2Ease of operation
If noncontact tonometer is used to avoid invasive procedure, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to monitor IOP over long periods is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the single-shot mechanical noncontact tonometry with a repeated optical measurement system. The optical system can be rapidly and repeatedly applied without causing cumulative effects, enabling long-term monitoring while maintaining non-invasive benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous or repeated measurement capability through the optical system, allowing IOP to be monitored over extended periods. The optical measurement can be performed repeatedly without the limitations of mechanical contact methods, achieving both non-invasiveness and continuous monitoring.
3Quantity of substance
If screening mammography is used for breast cancer detection, then detection coverage is improved, but sensitivity and false diagnosis rate are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing measurement on specific mechanical properties (damping characteristics) of breast tissue rather than general imaging. This localized mechanical property measurement provides more specific information about tissue characteristics, improving detection sensitivity while reducing false positives compared to general mammographic screening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from general tissue density/imaging (mammography) to specific mechanical damping properties. By measuring how breast tissue dampens mechanical vibrations, the system obtains a different physiological parameter that is more specific to cancer detection, thereby improving sensitivity and reducing false diagnoses.
4Ease of operation
If diaphanoscopic or UTL techniques are used for breast cancer detection, then non-invasive detection is improved, but detection sensitivity remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical absorption/diffusion properties (diaphanoscopic, UTL) to mechanical damping properties. The mechanical vibration damping characteristic provides a different and more sensitive indicator of tissue abnormalities, improving detection sensitivity while maintaining non-invasive operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mechanical vibration as the detection mechanism, using the damping characteristics of breast tissue to identify abnormalities. This mechanical approach provides more sensitive detection of tissue property changes compared to optical methods, while remaining non-invasive.
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
This method allows for non-invasive, continuous monitoring of IOP and detection of breast cancer lumps by analyzing damping parameters, providing more accurate and comprehensive data than existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
directing coherent illumination onto at least a portion of said region of interest, collecting light returning from said region of interest and generating a sequence of image data pieces associated with a sequence of secondary speckle patterns formed by self-interference of light components returning from said region of interest
Implementation Method 2
a stimulation unit configured for providing selected external stimulation onto said region of interest
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a method for determining one or more characteristics of a region of interest. The method includes providing stimulation for exciting the region of interest for a first selected time period; monitoring mechanical response of the region of interest for at least a second time period after said first time period; processing data indicative of said mechanical response, and determining data on one or more measures of motion of the region of interest; utilizing data on one or more measures of motion for yielding at least one damping parameter indicative of damping of the mechanical response of the region of interest, and determining at least one characteristic of the region of interest in accordance with at least one damping parameter.