Patent Application
20170238806
This application relates generally to a method and apparatus for clinical diagnosis. The application relates more specifically to an implantable sensor for detection and repair of progressive physiological conditions.
Systems and methods of observing physical maladies continue to evolve rapidly. Earliest observations as to a patient's physical condition involved visual inspection by a clinician. Systems evolved to include analysis by surgical exploration and by testing physical properties of a subject or a subject's tissue. More recently, clinicians use devices such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for medical diagnostics.
Tools such as those noted above are useful to facilitate patient diagnostics and to provide a clinician with information about a patient's current physical condition.
In accordance with an example embodiment of the subject application, an implantable diagnostic system includes a power supply and an electromagnetic wave generator configured to generate an electromagnetic wave to biological tissue. An image sensor captures an image from the electromagnetic wave generator after exposure of the biological tissue. An analog front end circuit generates image data from a captured image. The electromagnetic wave generator is configured to be selectively enabled by the processor. The processor completes a plurality of image capture operations and stores image data in the memory for image captures. The processor then compares image data from an earlier image capture to a subsequent image capture and generates comparison data which is then output.
Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:
The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such.
In accordance with example embodiments of the subject application, a system and method for improved analysis of human tissue facilitates detection and monitoring of a patient's current physical condition that may degrade or otherwise vary over time. Progress of a condition may be unique to a particular patient. Analysis may also target a particular condition by modifying aspects of the system to target it.
Turning now to
By way of further example. AFE 226 suitably includes a detection circuit sensitive to flux intensity signals that are associated with monitoring or detection of specific tissue conditions as will be detailed further below. In a particular example embodiment, the AFE 226 includes a programmable amplifier having a set effective number of bits (ENOB) for analog to digital (A/D) conversion, such as a 20 bit resolution and high dynamic range above 100 dB. When working in concert with imaging array 222, for example as would be implemented in a CCD camera, the AFE 226 suitably shares a set of columns with the imaging array 222. Implementation of AFE 226 facilitates detection of low level fluorescence to facilitate monitoring and detection as illustrated further below.
Imaging system 218 suitably includes a filtering system for selecting one or more electromagnetic wave frequencies for attenuation or enhancement to enhance specific detection operations specific to a particular condition. Suitable imaging filtering systems will be detailed further below. Imaging system 218 interfaces with a video output 230 to facilitate image capture and processing, suitably controlled or tuned, with field programmable gate array 234 (FPGA), such as XCV8 series FPGAs. Tuning of image capture, suitably coupled with filtering of electromagnetic input, such as light, allows for capturing of diagnostic images for specific conditions as will be detailed further below. A transmitter or receiver unit 238 facilitates data communication, such as via a wireless data communication via antenna 242. In a configuration, wireless power transmission can be accomplished via application of oscillating magnetic waves to antenna 242.
The example embodiment of
Biosensor 200 suitably includes one or more electrodes 250, illustrated as electrodes 250a, 250b, 250c and 250d. Electrodes 250 are suitably powered by analog power source 260, which is suitably formed by inverting DC voltage which may be presented by power unit 214. Analog power source 260 is suitably under CPU control, such as CPU 204, or by a dedicated CPU controller 270. Electrodes 250 facilitate tissue stimulation for further diagnostics or treatment of tissue maladies. By way of further example, the electrodes 250 suitably provide open or closed loop control and delivery of electrical impulses. This may be done pre-imaging, during imaging, or post-imaging, depending on the particular application and target protein or proteins. As will be detailed further below, biosensor 200 suitably acts in conjunction with a filter, such as a light filter. Tuning for imaging one or more particular proteins is suitably accomplished by a combination of filtering and tuning. Filter characteristics input to the CPU 204 for processing, combined with protein characteristics, facilitate tuning the imaging array 222, such as by block, row, column or pixel level. Tuning suitably includes adjustment of illumination, such as via control of LED array 240. Available control options include selective illumination of individual or groups of LEDs. The LED array 240 is further suitably comprised of LED elements having different spectral outputs. Thus, selective enablement of elements or element intensity allows for engineered illumination to target specific proteins. As noted above, this is particularly advantageous when coupled with filter properties engineered for detection of one or more target proteins.
Referring now to
Analysis of captured images allows for medical diagnoses, but is also suitably used in connection with dosing or electrical stimulation for treatment. In connection with monitoring of brain activities, brains are associated with biological waste management processes that degrade over time, which degradation is detectable by the subject system. The subject system suitably includes closed-loop control to compensate for such degradation.
While filter 500 is suitably comprised of any electromagnetic wave transmissive medium, properties which allow one or more selected wavelengths, or wavelength ranges, are advantageously used in conjunction with imaging different protein characteristics. In the example embodiment of
Turning now to
After a baseline image has been captured at block 628, the associated data is stored at block 632 and a determination is made at block 636 as to whether a new image should be captured. This may be determined, by way of example, by passing of a preselected duration from a prior image capture. If a determination is made that a new image should not yet be captured, a test for possible tuning or re-tuning is made at block 660. If so, image capture settings are tuned at block 664 and illumination settings are tuned at block 668. These new settings are implemented at block 670, and progress returns to block 636 to determine if it is time for the next imaging operation.
If, at block 636, a new image should be captured, then progress is made to block 640 and an image is captured. Progress is then made to block 642 where the captured image is compared to the baseline image. Progress is then made to block 644 where comparison data is generated based on the compare operation of block 642, and in block 650 a determination is made as to whether to transmit the data. If so, the data is wirelessly transmitted in block 652 and progress returns to block 636 to await the next imaging operation. If not, then progress returns to block 636 without wireless transmitting the data.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.
