Supercontinuum Laser Spectroscopy for Breast Tissue Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast cancer diagnosis methods, such as mammography, have limitations including false positives, low sensitivity, and inability to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors, and there is a need for earlier detection and more specific diagnostic techniques that do not use ionizing radiation.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic system utilizing near-infrared (NIR) or short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy with a super-continuum laser that emits light in specific wavelength ranges to penetrate deep into breast tissue, allowing for non-invasive imaging and differentiation of tissue components like collagen, lipids, and hemoglobin, using a system comprising semiconductor sources, optical amplifiers, optical fibers, and a nonlinear element to generate a broadened spectrum for diffuse reflection spectroscopy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mammography is used for breast cancer screening, then detection sensitivity is improved, but false positive rate increases and ionizing radiation exposure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ionizing radiation (X-rays) to non-ionizing near-infrared light for tissue imaging. This parameter change in the electromagnetic spectrum enables cancer detection without the harmful effects of ionizing radiation, while maintaining adequate penetration depth through tissue using the optical properties of hemoglobin, water, and lipid absorption at specific wavelengths.
2Measurement precision
If mammography is used for breast cancer screening, then detection capability is improved, but false positive rate increases leading to unnecessary procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes optical absorption spectroscopy where different tissue types (benign vs. malignant) exhibit distinct absorption spectra at multiple wavelengths. By measuring absorption coefficients at several wavelengths and analyzing the spectral signatures of hemoglobin, water, and lipid, the system can differentiate between benign and malignant tumors with high specificity, reducing false positives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves from single-wavelength or limited-spectrum imaging to multi-wavelength spectral imaging. By collecting absorption data across multiple wavelengths and performing spectral analysis, the system adds a dimensional aspect (spectral dimension) that enables better differentiation of tissue types and reduces false positive rates.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If optical breast imaging is used for early cancer detection, then non-invasive monitoring is achieved, but penetration depth into tissue is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs near-infrared wavelengths (typically 650-1350 nm) where tissue absorption is minimized, creating an 'optical window' that allows deeper penetration. By selecting specific wavelength ranges where hemoglobin, water, and lipid absorption coefficients are low, the system achieves both non-ionizing safety and adequate penetration depth for breast imaging.
4Length of stationary object
If diffuse reflection spectroscopy is used for deep tissue imaging, then penetration depth is improved, but signal-to-noise ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs modulated light sources and synchronous detection techniques where the light source is modulated at a specific frequency and the detector uses lock-in amplification or synchronous detection at the same frequency. This periodic action separates the weak reflected signal from background noise, significantly improving signal-to-noise ratio for deep tissue imaging.
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 enables early detection of breast cancer by monitoring absorption and scattering features, improving signal-to-noise ratio, and providing non-ionizing, cost-effective, and portable imaging capable of distinguishing between normal and cancerous tissue with high penetration depth, reducing unnecessary procedures and improving diagnostic specificity.
Implementation Method 1
a nonlinear element configured to receive at least a portion of the first optical beam and to broaden a spectrum associated with the at least a portion of the first optical beam to at least 10 nanometers through a nonlinear effect in the nonlinear element
Implementation Method 2
one or more semiconductor sources configured to generate an input beam
Implementation Method 3
one or more optical amplifiers configured to receive at least a portion of the input beam and to deliver an intermediate beam
Implementation Method 4
one or more optical fibers configured to receive at least a portion of the intermediate beam and to deliver at least the portion of the intermediate beam
Implementation Method 5
an interface device configured to receive a received portion of the output optical beam and configured to deliver a delivered portion of the output optical beam to a tissue sample
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic system includes a light source having semiconductor sources, optical amplifiers, and fibers configured to deliver a first optical beam to a nonlinear element configured to broaden a spectrum of the first optical beam to at least 10 nanometers through a nonlinear effect in the nonlinear element, wherein a broadened-spectrum output beam comprises a near-infrared wavelength between 600-1000 nanometers. An interface device, having a cap with fiber leads configured to couple to the light source and to a receiver having one or more detectors, delivers the output optical beam to a tissue sample. The receiver is configured to receive a diffuse spectroscopy output beam resulting from light diffusion of the output optical beam into a top two (2) millimeters of the sample and to process the diffuse spectroscopy output beam to generate an output signal that monitors absorption or scattering features of the tissue sample.