Guided Diffuse Optical Tomography for Novel Applications

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.