Measuring Device for Tumor Morphology with Adjustable Position Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring tumor morphology on soft animal skin, such as mice, face challenges in obtaining accurate and consistent results due to the difficulty in stabilizing the measuring equipment and varying methods of tumor irradiation, leading to insufficient measurement accuracy when evaluating tumor size changes over time.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a position fixing unit that includes an adjustable opening and a fixing member, capable of changing its size and stiffness, along with a measuring unit that uses laser light to scan and detect reflected light, allowing for stable and accurate measurement of convex portions like tumors, and a display control unit for time-series data and three-dimensional image display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vernier caliper is used to measure tumor size, then measurement can be performed, but it is difficult to fix the measuring equipment to the soft skin and operator methods vary leading to insufficient measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A position fixing unit is introduced as an intermediary device between the tumor and the measuring unit. This unit includes a fixing member with an opening that accommodates the tumor, stabilizing it during measurement. The position fixing unit ensures consistent positioning without requiring direct fixation to the soft skin, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If a three-dimensional scanner is used to measure tumor morphology, then three-dimensional measurement is achieved, but the same measurement results are not obtained due to variations in mouse disposal methods and light irradiation range
Solution Approach 1:
The position fixing unit is prepared in advance with a predetermined opening size and shape. The tumor is placed into this pre-prepared fixing structure, which automatically establishes a consistent reference frame for measurement. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments of mouse disposal and light irradiation range, ensuring consistent measurement results.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the opening size of the position fixing unit is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to tumors of different sizes leading to reduced measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The opening of the position fixing unit is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The fixing member can change its opening size to match the tumor being measured. This dynamic adaptation allows the same device to accurately measure tumors of various sizes without requiring multiple different fixing units, balancing versatility with manageable device complexity.
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 high accuracy in measuring tumor morphology by stabilizing the tumor's position and adjusting to its size changes, enabling precise evaluation of tumor size changes over time, and facilitating the display of morphological information for effective analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring unit that measures the morphology of a convex portion... the measuring unit may irradiate the convex portion with light and measure the morphology of the convex portion by detecting reflected light reflected from the convex portion
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring device includes a measuring unit that measures the morphology of a convex portion, and a position fixing unit that includes an opening in which the convex portion is to be disposed and a fixing member which includes the opening at a center thereof and against which the periphery of the convex portion is to be pressed. The size of the opening of the position fixing unit is capable of being changed.