Seeing Blood Flow Deep Inside Tissue Without Touching It

This patent describes a way to create 3D images of blood flow up to 1.5 cm deep inside body tissue using near-infrared light, all without any physical contact with the skin.

What it covers

This patent details an optical method for creating three-dimensional (3D) images of blood flow in deep tissue, specifically up to about 1.5 cm, without needing to touch the tissue (Claim 1). It works by projecting near-infrared light from long-coherence laser sources onto the tissue surface through optical lenses. A detector array then captures the diffused near-infrared light reflected back, also through lenses (Claim 1). The collected data is then processed, often using a finite-element-method (FEM), to reconstruct a 3D image of the blood flow distribution (Claim 6). For example, a surgeon could use this system to check the blood supply in a delicate skin graft during surgery without disturbing the healing tissue.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover imaging methods that require physical contact between the imaging probe or detector and the tissue (Claim 1).
• —Does not cover imaging deeper than approximately 1.5 cm into the tissue (Claim 1).
• —Does not cover imaging techniques that use light outside the near-infrared spectrum (Claim 1).
• —Does not cover two-dimensional (2D) imaging; it specifically focuses on three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction (Claim 1).
• —Does not cover methods that do not use optical lenses for both applying and detecting the light (Claim 1).

The clever bit

The novelty lies in combining non-contact near-infrared light application and detection with advanced 3D image reconstruction techniques, such as the finite-element-method, to accurately map deep tissue blood flow in tissues with arbitrary shapes. This allows for safe, detailed analysis of vulnerable or sensitive tissues.

Why it matters

This technology is important because it allows medical professionals to assess blood flow in sensitive, vulnerable, or damaged tissues without physical contact. This non-contact approach reduces the risk of infection, further injury, or disruption to healing processes. It is particularly valuable for monitoring open wounds, surgical sites, or delicate tissue grafts where traditional contact-based methods would be problematic.

Real-world examples

• 1.Monitoring blood flow in tissue flaps during reconstructive surgery
• 2.Assessing healing and circulation in burn wounds without direct contact
• 3.Evaluating blood supply in diabetic foot ulcers
• 4.Observing tissue perfusion during organ transplantation procedures
• 5.Research tools for studying microcirculation in biological tissues