Tissue Condition Measurement Device for Oedema Diagnosis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing peripheral oedema, such as manual tests and photoacoustic monitoring, lack accuracy and standardization, making it difficult for medical professionals to diagnose oedema conditions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a light source, sound receiver, pressure application unit, and processing unit that uses photoacoustic spectroscopy to obtain tissue component information and pit rebound data, allowing for standardized communication of tissue condition information to aid in accurate oedema diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual pressure test is used to assess peripheral oedema, then the assessment can be performed with simple equipment, but the measurement precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single integrated device: photoacoustic sensing for tissue composition analysis, pressure application mechanism for controlled compression, and electronic data processing for automated assessment. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction by achieving high measurement precision through multiple sensing modalities while consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely manual mechanical assessment method with an automated system that uses photoacoustic sensing (optical-acoustic conversion) and electronic pressure control. The light source and sound receiver substitute for manual visual and tactile assessment, while the pressure application unit provides controlled, measurable pressure rather than manual finger pressure. This substitution dramatically improves measurement precision while the automation reduces operational complexity.
2Loss of information
If photoacoustic monitoring is used to provide information about peripheral oedema, then tissue component information can be obtained, but the information cannot be communicated in a standardized way
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a communications interface that provides feedback about tissue condition in a standardized format. The processing unit analyzes photoacoustic signals and generates standardized output information that can be communicated to medical professionals. This feedback mechanism ensures that tissue component information is not only obtained but also communicated systematically, reducing information loss and improving ease of interpretation and communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the raw photoacoustic signals into standardized parameters representing tissue composition (such as water content, fat content, protein content ratios). By converting complex acoustic signals into standardized compositional parameters, the system preserves complete tissue information while making it easily communicable and interpretable in a standardized format across different users and settings.
3Reliability
If pressure is applied to obtain pit rebound information, then oedema classification can be improved, but the measurement may not be accurate enough without tissue-specific pressure adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first measuring tissue component information (water content, fat content, protein content) before applying pressure. This preliminary characterization of tissue composition allows the system to subsequently apply pressure that is customized to the specific tissue properties. The preliminary measurement enables accurate prediction of which pressure level will produce the most informative pit rebound response for that particular patient's tissue characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the pressure application dynamic and adaptive rather than static and fixed. The pressure application unit can adjust pressure levels based on real-time tissue component measurements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize pressure application for each patient's specific tissue characteristics, improving reliability of oedema classification while maintaining versatility across different tissue types and conditions.
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
The device provides accurate and standardized information about tissue conditions, enabling more precise classification and diagnosis of oedema by combining tissue component ratios with pressure application for tailored measurements.
Implementation Method 1
obtain tissue component information at a region of interest of a patient using photoacoustic spectroscopy
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3b
Figure 4a~4f
AI summary
Peripheral oedema causes a swelling of the legs of a patient due to an abnormal accumulation of fluids in the interstitium of the patient. Oedema is directly related to heart diseases, kidney and liver problems and pathological conditions. As such, is a useful indicator of a person's overall health. Oedema is typically assessed by a subjective manual test administered by a medical professional. As such, an objective assessment of oedema is often difficult to make. The present disclosure concerns a device for tissue condition measurement. The device enables an objective assessment of oedema to be made, by providing to a medical professional, or a medical ancillary worker, with information useful to judge the presence of oedema. This is achieved by performing a photoacoustic analysis of biological components present in the tissue, and then by performing a physical test by advancing a blunt instrument onto the area suspected of oedema, withdraw blunt instrument, and then assessing the depth and/or rebound characteristics of the pit.