Multi-frequency Harmonic Acoustography for Novel Applications

This inventive concept expands the core technology of multi-frequency harmonic acoustography to various new industries, including food spoilage detection, infrastructure material evaluation, composite material defect detection, plant health monitoring, and pharmaceutical quality control.

The original patent focused on target identification and border detection in medical imaging. However, the limitations of the original patent led to the realization that the core technology could be applied to other fields where material properties and defects need to be detected. This inventive concept addresses the need for a non-invasive, non-destructive method to evaluate material properties and detect defects in various industries.

The new claims leverage the multi-frequency harmonic acoustography technology to detect changes in viscoelastic properties of materials, enabling the detection of defects, spoilage, or quality issues in various industries. For instance, in food spoilage detection, the vibro-acoustography sensor detects changes in viscoelastic properties of food products, and the processing unit analyzes these changes to determine a spoilage level. Similarly, in infrastructure material evaluation, the technology detects changes in mechanical properties to identify potential defects or weaknesses.

The new claims introduce a novel application of the multi-frequency harmonic acoustography technology, expanding its scope beyond medical imaging to various industries. The inventive step lies in recognizing the potential of the core technology to address material property evaluation and defect detection in these new fields.

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the use of different types of sensors, such as optical or electromagnetic sensors, to detect changes in material properties. Additionally, the technology could be adapted for use in other industries, such as aerospace or automotive, where material property evaluation and defect detection are critical.

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including food safety, infrastructure maintenance, composite material manufacturing, plant health monitoring, and pharmaceutical quality control. The technology could be licensed to companies operating in these industries, or used to develop new products and services that address specific industry needs.