Guided Diffuse Optical Tomography for Novel Applications
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept extends the core technology of guided diffuse optical tomography (DOT) to novel applications beyond breast cancer imaging, including crop health monitoring, water contaminant detection, soil composition analysis, industrial process monitoring, and food quality inspection.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent focused on optimizing functional images of a lesion region using guided DOT. However, this technology has broader potential. The new inventive concept addresses the limitation of the original patent by exploring its application to entirely different industries, including agriculture, environmental monitoring, industrial process control, and food safety.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept involves adapting the guided DOT technology to various new applications. For instance, in crop health monitoring, the DOT device acquires crop functional data and generates optimized functional images of the crop region, enabling early detection of crop stress or disease. Similarly, in water contaminant detection, the DOT device acquires contaminant functional data and generates optimized functional images of the water sample, allowing for rapid identification of contaminants. The inventive concept also encompasses adaptations for soil composition analysis, industrial process monitoring, and food quality inspection, each leveraging the core DOT technology to address specific challenges in their respective fields.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications of guided DOT, expanding its scope beyond breast cancer imaging. The inventive step lies in recognizing the potential of guided DOT to address diverse problems in various industries, and adapting the technology to meet the specific needs of each application.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different DOT device configurations, modified data acquisition protocols, or integration with other sensing modalities to enhance the accuracy and versatility of the technology. Variations could also involve adapting the guided DOT technology for use in other industries, such as pharmaceuticals or biomedical research.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential, with applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring, industrial process control, and food safety. The market for guided DOT technology in these industries is substantial, driven by the need for efficient, accurate, and non-invasive monitoring and inspection tools.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Optical imaging systems, specifically diffuse optical tomography (DOT) with applications in medical diagnostics, agricultural monitoring, and industrial sensing
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled practitioner with expertise in optical imaging, signal processing, data analysis, and interdisciplinary sensor technology, holding advanced degrees in engineering, physics, or biomedical sciences with experience in adapting imaging technologies across domains
Obviousness Rationale
A person of ordinary skill would recognize the fundamental DOT technology disclosed in the source patent as a versatile imaging methodology capable of adaptation across multiple technical domains. The core principles of acquiring functional data, generating optimized images using matrix processing techniques, and extracting meaningful spatial information are directly transferable between different application contexts. The PTD demonstrates predictable extensions of the source patent's core technological framework by applying identical DOT methodological principles to alternative domains with substantially similar data acquisition and image generation requirements.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,289 |
|---|---|
| Title | Systems and methods of optimizing functional images of a lesion region using guided diffuse optical tomography |
| Assignee(s) | Washington University |