Spectrometric Aerosol Classification for Real-Time Tissue Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spectrometric analysis methods for classifying aerosol, smoke, or vapour samples are limited in accuracy and efficiency, particularly in real-time applications such as intra-operative tissue identification and bacterial classification, where precise and rapid differentiation is crucial.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating aerosol, smoke, or vapour samples using electrodes with applied AC or RF voltage for Joule heating, followed by analysis with mass and ion mobility spectrometry, employing multivariate statistical analysis and ion mobility techniques to classify samples, including the use of bipolar and multi-phase RF devices for effective sample generation and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional spectrometric analysis methods are used for classifying aerosol, smoke, or vapour samples, then the analysis can be performed with standard equipment, but the accuracy and speed of sample classification are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclassification accuracyVSAvoidanalysis speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the classification problem into multiple independent classes (e.g., healthy tissue, cancerous tissue, different bacterial types) with dedicated classification models for each. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple classification tasks, improving both accuracy through specialized models and speed through concurrent analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing the mass spectrometry data through normalization, filtering, and feature extraction before classification. Background subtraction and spectral preprocessing are conducted in advance to enhance signal quality and reduce computational complexity during real-time classification, thereby improving both accuracy and processing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If real-time classification is implemented for intra-operative tissue identification, then surgical precision can be improved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal classification system that can identify multiple tissue types and pathological conditions using a single mass spectrometry platform. The system performs multiple functions including tissue classification, cancer detection, and intra-operative guidance, thereby improving surgical precision without proportionally increasing system complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical histological analysis methods with mass spectrometry-based chemical analysis. This substitution eliminates the need for time-consuming physical sectioning and staining procedures, enabling real-time tissue identification while reducing mechanical complexity in favor of analytical chemistry approaches.

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

3Measurement precision

If multivariate statistical analysis is employed to distinguish different samples, then classification accuracy improves, but the computational requirements and analysis time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample differentiation accuracyVSAvoidcomputation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary dimensionality reduction and feature selection on mass spectrometry data before applying multivariate statistical analysis. By pre-processing spectra to extract key discriminative features and reduce data dimensionality, the system maintains high classification accuracy while significantly reducing computational time and resource requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms raw mass spectrometry data into standardized parameters through normalization and scaling operations. This parameter transformation optimizes the input data for multivariate analysis algorithms, improving their efficiency and reducing computation time while preserving the discriminatory power needed for accurate sample classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach enhances the accuracy and speed of sample classification, enabling real-time differentiation of healthy and unhealthy tissues, bacteria, and other biological materials, improving surgical precision and diagnostic efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a target substance is subjected to alternating electric current at radiofrequency which causes localized Joule-heating and the disruption of the target substance along with desorption of charged and neutral particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The resulting aerosol is then transported to a mass spectrometer for on-line mass spectrometric analysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 3

employing multivariate statistical analysis and ion mobility techniques to classify samples

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon mobility:

Data Source

PatentEP3264989B1Spectrometric analysis
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 MICROMASS UK LTD
  • EP3264989B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3264989B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3264989B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of spectrometric analysis comprises obtaining one or more sample spectra for an aerosol, smoke or vapour sample. The one or more sample spectra are subjected to pre-processing and then multivariate and/or library based analysis so as to classify the aerosol, smoke or vapour sample. The results of the analysis are used for various surgical or non-surgical applications.