Spin-Polarized Endoscopic Tip for Fluorescent-Free Tissue Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biomedical diagnostic techniques lack non-invasive methods for differentiating structurally similar biological systems and monitoring temporal structural changes, particularly in early disease detection, such as cancer, without the use of invasive fluorescent agents.
Innovation Solution
An optical detection apparatus utilizing spin-based light emitting devices and photodiodes that emit and detect circularly polarized light to analyze the polarization state of scattered light from biological tissues, integrating these components into endoscopic probes for in vivo cancer detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional biomedical diagnostic techniques are used, then structural analysis of biological tissues can be performed, but invasive fluorescent agents are required which pose health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful fluorescent agents from the diagnostic system by using intrinsic optical properties (polarization state of scattered light) of biological tissues themselves as the diagnostic marker, thereby achieving safe non-invasive detection without external harmful substances
Solution Approach 2:
The biological tissues serve themselves as the diagnostic medium by utilizing their natural light scattering and polarization properties, eliminating the need for external fluorescent agents. The tissue's own structural characteristics reveal diagnostic information through polarization analysis
2Measurement precision
If polarimetry using circularly polarized light is implemented, then early disease detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to specialized light sources and detectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source and detector functions into a compact integrated probe tip, combining spin-based light emitting devices with spin-based photodiode arrays in close proximity, enabling portable early disease detection while managing system complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The spin-based photodiodes serve multiple functions: detecting the polarization state of scattered light, determining circular polarization rate, and providing diagnostic information for early disease detection, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized components
3Measurement precision
If spin-based photodiodes are arranged in high-density arrays, then detection precision is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection function into multiple individual spin-based photodiodes arranged in arrays, with each photodiode contributing to the overall polarization measurement, enabling high-precision detection through distributed sensing while facilitating modular manufacturing approaches
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 non-invasive, real-time structural analysis of biological tissues by detecting changes in polarization state, providing early disease detection capabilities without the risks associated with fluorescent agents, and offering compact, energy-efficient, and high-density array configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a spin injector configured to inject spin-polarized carriers into the first multi-layer semiconductor structure
Implementation Method 2
the gain medium of quantum dots or quantum wells are capable of emitting light with circular polarization state determined by the spin direction of the injected spin-polarized carriers
Implementation Method 3
detect the polarization state of light scattered back from the object
Implementation Method 4
spin-based photodiodes each having a second surface for receiving the light scattered back from the object
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an optical detection apparatus. At least one spin-based light emitting device emits a circularly polarized light towards an object to be detected. A plurality of spin-based photodiodes are arranged around the spin-based light emitting devices, and are configured to detect the polarization state of light scattered back from the object. The spin-based light emitting device is a surface-emitting device having a first surface for emitting light. The spin-based photodiodes are surface-illuminated photodiodes each having a second surface for receiving the light scattered back from the object. The circular polarization of the light emitted from the spin-based light emitting device can be modulated through switching the magnetization direction. In some embodiments, the magnetization direction of the spin injector in the spin-based light emitting device and/or the spin detector in the spin-based photodiode can be switched by applying pulsed current.