System and method for detecting and/or monitoring the presence of at least one of pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax in a living subject using one or more light sources and one or more light detectors
Inventors
Myers, Ryan • DiMatteo, Kristian • Dupnik, Michaelina
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12336805-B2
Publication Date
2025-06-24
Expiration Date
2042-01-18
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
A system for detecting and/or monitoring at least one of pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax using one or more light sources and one or more light detectors. The system includes one or more light sources adapted to be placed on skin of a living subject. The one or more light detectors are adapted to be placed on the skin of the living subject. A processing subsystem is coupled to the one or more light sources and the one or more light detectors detects and/or monitors the presence of at least one of pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax in the living subject.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system and method for detecting and/or monitoring at least one of pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax in a living subject using one or more light sources and one or more light detectors placed on the skin. The system includes light sources configured to emit light at predetermined penetration depths into the thoracic cavity and light detectors positioned at specific separation distances to detect reflected light from various tissue depths and the lung. A processing subsystem analyzes the reflected light to detect or monitor the presence of these lung conditions based on the amount and pattern of reflected light.
The system can generate tomography curves representative of the amount of reflected light from different penetration depths to characterize tissue presence or air/blood accumulation indicative of pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax. It further determines physiological parameters such as respiration rate, tissue oxygen saturation, blood oxygenation, and heart rate using multi-wavelength light sources targeting oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin chromophores. Changes in these physiological signals are used to detect or monitor the presence of the lung conditions. The components can be integrated in a portable adhesive patch that guides proper placement for diagnosis and treatment.
The problem solved is that conventional systems to detect pneumothorax and related conditions rely on bulky, complex, expensive, and power-intensive imaging systems such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, or micropower impulse radar, which are not portable and may require cumbersome antennas. Needle decompression treatments have high misdiagnosis rates partly due to difficulties determining the correct site for needle insertion. The invention addresses the need for a small, portable, less complex, power-efficient system that can be used in noisy and challenging environments to rapidly and accurately detect and monitor pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims covering a system and a method with inventive features related to light-based detection and monitoring of pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax.
Light-based detection using multi-wavelength sources and detectors
A system comprising one or more light sources and detectors placed on a living subject's skin, where the sources emit light at two or more predetermined wavelengths targeting oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin chromophores; detectors generate physiological output signals responsive to these wavelengths, enabling detection and monitoring of pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax.
Integration into an adhesive patch with anatomical guidance
The light sources, detectors, and processing subsystem are housed in an adhesive patch attachable to the subject using physiological reference points to ensure the patch's outlined needle zone aligns with an intercostal space for needle insertion to treat the detected condition.
Light penetration and reflected light detection for cavity analysis
The light sources emit light penetrating the thoracic cavity at predetermined depths; detectors are spaced at separation distances to detect reflected light from tissue between lung and skin or from the lung itself, generating output signals used by the processing subsystem to detect or monitor the conditions.
Tomography curve generation and shape-based detection
The processing subsystem generates tomography curves representing reflected light amounts from varied penetration depths, using the shape of these curves to detect or monitor pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax.
Physiological parameter determination and characteristic change detection
The processing subsystem determines respiration rate, tissue oxygen saturation, blood oxygenation, and heart rate from physiological output signals, and detects or monitors the presence of the conditions based on characteristic changes in any of these parameters, individually or in combination.
Use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) light sources
The system includes light sources employing near infrared spectroscopy to penetrate tissue and enable detection and physiological monitoring.
Placement and detection over ribs and intercostal spaces
Light sources and detectors are adapted to be placed above ribs or over intercostal spaces, detecting reflected light and using physiological signals to determine respiration rate and characteristic changes indicative of the conditions.
Method for light-based detection and monitoring with adhesive patch
A method including emitting light at multiple predetermined wavelengths into human tissue, detecting reflected light and generating physiological output signals, and using these signals to detect or monitor pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax. The method incorporates housing the light sources, detectors, and a processing subsystem in an adhesive patch with an outlined needle zone aligned using physiological reference points for needle insertion.
The independent claims cover both a system and method utilizing multi-wavelength light emission and detection integrated into a portable adhesive patch, combined with processing of reflected light and physiological parameters to detect and monitor pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax. The inventive features emphasize penetration depth control, tomography curve analysis, physiological signal monitoring, and anatomical guidance for treatment.
Stated Advantages
The system is small, portable, lightweight, fast, accurate, precise, and power efficient, suitable for use in environments where bulky and complex systems are impractical.
It enables rapid diagnosis that limits power cycling duration, reducing temperature fluctuations and extending battery life.
The adhesive patch design provides anatomical guidance to ensure proper placement for needle decompression, potentially reducing misdiagnosis and improving treatment accuracy.
The system can detect multiple physiological changes and differentiate tissue types, allowing robust monitoring and detection even through varying tissue thicknesses.
It can distinguish between rib and intercostal space placements, enhancing guidance for clinical interventions.
Documented Applications
Detection and monitoring of pneumothorax, hemopneumothorax, or hemothorax in living subjects.
Guidance for needle decompression treatment by locating the correct intercostal space using the adhesive patch with an outlined needle zone.
Use in noisy, complex, or field environments such as combat situations, emergency medicine, and field medicine where conventional bulky imaging systems are not viable.
Interested in licensing this patent?