Wearable Fluorescence Visualization System for Tissue Differentiation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical and dental procedures require expensive and cumbersome devices for fluorescence-based tissue differentiation, necessitating a portable, user-wearable solution for illuminating and visualizing healthy versus diseased tissues.
Innovation Solution
A multi-light lamp assembly with adjustable light output and eyewear equipped with filters to selectively view desired wavelengths, allowing practitioners to distinguish between healthy and diseased tissues using multiple light emitting sources and tailored light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive and cumbersome devices are used for fluorescence-based tissue differentiation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluorescence detection function into separate components: a portable light source for illumination, wearable eyewear for fluorescence visualization, and a controller for coordination. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary device that coordinates between the light source and eyewear, managing the fluorescence detection process and enabling precise tissue differentiation without requiring complex integrated equipment.
2Measurement precision
If expensive and cumbersome devices are used for fluorescence-based tissue differentiation, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The eyewear is designed to be worn directly by the practitioner, making the system self-sufficient and easy to operate. The portable light source and wearable eyewear work together without requiring complex setup or additional equipment, allowing the practitioner to perform fluorescence-based tissue differentiation simply by wearing the eyewear and using the light source.
3Ease of operation
If portable and user-wearable devices are used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the system into separate portable components (light source and eyewear), the patent achieves ease of operation while managing complexity through modular design. Each component remains relatively simple while the combination provides the full functionality needed for fluorescence-based tissue differentiation.
4Measurement precision
If multiple light emitting sources are used to generate tailored light emission, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The portable light source is designed to accommodate multiple light emitting sources that can generate different wavelengths and patterns of light. This multi-functionality allows the single light source device to perform various fluorescence excitation functions, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing 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
Enables effective, portable, and user-friendly differentiation of healthy and diseased tissues during medical and dental procedures, enhancing visualization without the need for cumbersome equipment.
Implementation Method 1
Fluorescence is a form of photoluminescence, which through the absorption of light by an object, or by a tissue, etc., causes the generation and spontaneous emission of light of a different wavelength (i.e., autofluorescence).
Implementation Method 2
Fluorescence is a form of photoluminescence, which through the absorption of light by an object, or by a tissue, etc., causes the generation and spontaneous emission of light of a different wavelength
Implementation Method 3
The eyewear may include filters that block certain wavelengths of light while allowing other wavelengths to pass through
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A user-wearable fluorescence based visualization system comprising a multi-light lamp assembly (110) that provides for the selected output of light using multiple light emitting sources (112, 114, 116), wherein the outputted light may be tailored to generate response wavelength by the interaction of the emitted light and a tissue illuminated by the emitted light, through the process of fluorescence, and a viewing system (600, 640) that allows a practitioner view the fluorescent light generated by the tissue, and distinguish between healthy and diseased tissues.