C12808 Photoacoustic Osteoarthritis Diagnosis
Invention Novelty: A novel method that performs early detection of osteoarthritis through a low-cost, portable photoacoustic imaging system.
Value Proposition: Osteoporosis affects 15 million Americans, with an additional 30 million considered at risk for the disease. The current standard of care for osteoarthritis detection includes radiological imaging methods such as x-ray and computed tomography. However due to radiographic limitations, the value of a non-radiological imaging technique is high. Other techniques such as MRI and PET are expensive, and therefore osteoporosis is seldom diagnosed in the early stages. Photoacoustic imaging can be used as a low-cost, portable technology for the early detection of osteoporosis. This technology is sensitive to the architectural and mechanical features of bone, and therefore is capable of detecting osteoarthritis in patients. The advantages of this system include:
- A single portable system that has a number of degrees of freedom for various regions of interest
- The ability to introduce the light source interventionally, for deep bone imaging
- The ability to integrate the system with robotic arms and systems
Technical Details: Johns Hopkins researchers have created a novel device that can detect osteoarthritis in its early stages using photoacoustic imaging. The system utilizes an excitation source to generate resultant waves in the patient. The waves propagate through the patient, and the data is acquired by an ultrasound probe. When used to detect bone density, a decrease in photoacoustic intensity spectrum is seen in osteoporotic bone compared to normal bone. This information can then be relayed to the physician for further diagnosis.
Looking for Partners: To develop and commercialize the technology as a photoacoustic diagnostic system for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and arthritis in its early stages
Stage of Development: Pre-Clinical
Data Availability: Under CDA/NDA
Patent Status: Pending
Publication(s)/Associated Cases: Not at this time
Categories: Photoacoustic Imaging
Keywords: Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, arthritis, photoacoustic imaging, ultrasound, diagnostics, bone density
