Temperature Rise Evaluation Apparatus with Synchronized Tissue Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating temperature rise around blood vessels during renal sympathetic denervation treatments lack the ability to automatically and easily visualize temperature distributions in three-dimensional space, leading to difficulties in identifying device defects and optimizing tissue heating.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing simulated tissue with temperature-sensitive properties, planar light sources, and image-taking devices that move in unison to capture cross-sectional images, combined with a color-temperature conversion table, enables three-dimensional temperature distribution measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a slit light source and fixed camera are used for temperature visualization, then temperature distribution can be visualized, but the distance between camera and object changes during scanning causing defocus and unclear images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the camera movable along the scanning axis to match the light source movement. This dynamic adjustment maintains a constant distance between the camera and the illuminated tissue surface, ensuring continuous focus during the scanning process and eliminating the defocus problem that occurs with a fixed camera setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light source and camera into a coupled system where both components move together along the scanning axis. This merging ensures that the camera remains at a constant distance from the tissue surface while the light source illuminates different areas, maintaining image quality throughout the temperature distribution measurement process.
2Measurement precision
If thermocouple is inserted into living body phantom for temperature measurement, then direct temperature evaluation is possible, but measurement is limited to finite points and ultrasonic sound field may be disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical thermocouple insertion method with an optical measurement system. Instead of physically inserting sensors that disturb the ultrasonic field and are limited to point measurements, the system uses a light source and camera to optically detect temperature-induced color changes in the tissue, enabling non-contact, three-dimensional temperature mapping without disturbing the ultrasonic sound field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional point measurement (thermocouple at a single location) to two-dimensional surface visualization by scanning the light source and camera across the tissue surface. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous measurement of temperature at multiple points across the entire treatment area, providing comprehensive spatial temperature distribution data.
3Loss of information
If three-dimensional scan measurement is performed using hydrophone in ultrasonic sound field, then sound field distribution can be measured, but actual temperature rise in living body or phantom cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temperature-sensitive liquid crystal as an intermediary substance that converts thermal energy into optical signals. The liquid crystal changes color in response to temperature changes in the tissue, allowing the optical system (light source and camera) to indirectly measure temperature distribution without requiring direct thermal sensors in the ultrasonic field, thus bridging the gap between acoustic energy delivery and optical detection.
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 rapid and accurate visualization of temperature distributions, reducing the risk of defocus and allowing for precise evaluation of temperature changes in simulated tissue, facilitating device optimization and safety checks.
Implementation Method 1
simulated tissue having a property that hue changes according to temperature in a particular temperature-sensitive area
Implementation Method 2
a light source radiating planar light to the simulated tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A system for evaluating a treatment device capable of radiating ultrasound for cauterizing human tissue, the system including: simulated tissue having a property that hue changes according to temperature in a particular temperature-sensitive area and simulating temperature change of human tissue at time of the human tissue receiving the ultrasound from the treatment device, the simulated tissue having an insertion hole where the treatment device can be arranged; a light source radiating planar light from the whole circumference, the light source being arranged surrounding the simulated tissue; an image taking device taking cross-sectional color images of light irradiation surfaces of the simulated tissue; and movement mechanisms causing the light source and the image taking device to relatively move in a photographing axis direction of the image taking device relative to the simulated tissue; and a movement mechanism control/information processing unit controlling the movement mechanism.