Terahertz Tissue Spectroscopy for Noninvasive Cartilage Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods cannot noninvasively evaluate the quality of regenerated cartilage tissues before transplantation, making it difficult to assess their suitability for replacement in the body.
Innovation Solution
A method using vibrational optical activity spectroscopy with terahertz waves to observe dynamic physical properties of biological tissues by irradiating them with pulsed far-infrared light while vibrating the tissues with a piezoelectric element, allowing for the measurement of water molecule states and tissue formation through vibrational circular dichroism and polarization spectroscopy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light absorption spectra are measured to observe biological tissue properties, then chemical composition information can be obtained, but the measurement time is too long for dynamic processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broad spectral measurement range into multiple specific wavelength bands (e.g., 800-900nm, 900-1000nm, 1000-1100nm). By measuring these segmented wavelength regions sequentially or in parallel, the system captures sufficient chemical composition information while reducing the total measurement time compared to measuring the entire spectrum continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selecting and measuring only specific wavelength regions that are most informative for detecting the target biological tissue properties, rather than measuring the complete spectrum. This selective measurement approach provides adequate chemical composition information with reduced measurement time.
2Loss of information
If endoscopic observation is used to visualize internal body cavities, then internal structures can be observed, but dynamic physical property changes cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two distinct functions: the visual observation function of endoscopy and the spectral analysis function of spectroscopy. The endoscope captures both the visual image of internal structures and the light absorption spectra simultaneously, allowing both structural visualization and dynamic physical property detection to be achieved with a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional endoscopic system that performs both visual imaging and spectral measurement. The same endoscope device serves dual purposes: providing anatomical visualization through imaging and detecting dynamic physical properties through wavelength-dependent light absorption measurements.
3Device complexity
If reflected light intensity is measured to detect tissue properties, then simple measurement is possible, but information about chemical composition and dynamic properties is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from measuring only the intensity dimension of reflected light to measuring the spectral dimension as well. By analyzing light absorption at multiple wavelengths rather than just overall intensity, the system extracts detailed chemical composition information and dynamic physical properties while maintaining relatively simple measurement methodology.
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 noninvasive evaluation of cartilage and regenerated cartilage tissues, providing insights into tissue formation and dynamic properties, such as relaxation time, which aids in assessing their quality and structure.
Implementation Method 1
it has been conventionally observed by measuring light absorption spectra using a spectroscope or the like
Implementation Method 2
a polarizing plate 12 and a 1/4 wavelength plate 13 are added to the light source 1
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
Biological tissues such as cartilage tissue and regenerated tissues such as regenerated cartilage are evaluated. Provided is a method for observing a dynamic physical property of a biological tissue by irradiating the biological tissue with a pulsed light having a wavelength of a far-infrared wavelength region to observe the dynamic physical property of the biological tissue using vibrational optical activity spectroscopy. When a sample which is the biological tissue is irradiated with a pulsed light, the biological tissue is vibrated. A relaxation time is obtained on the basis of a vibrational circular dichroism spectrum and/or a polarization spectroscopy spectrum which are/is obtained from a time-series signal of a reflected pulsed light reflected by the biological tissue or a transmitted pulsed light transmitted through the biological tissue. (Fig. 1)