KR102004040B1 - Terahertz probe waveguide for cancer surgery - Google Patents

Abstract

A terahertz probe waveguide for cancer surgery is presented. In one embodiment, a terahertz probe waveguide includes: a tube in which an inner space is formed; A core part accommodated in the inner space of the tube and spaced apart from the tube by a predetermined distance; And a transceiver chip configured at a rear side of the core part, and having a THz wave transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) formed on a substrate to transmit and detect the THz wave. THz waves guided out of the front end of the tube and transmitted from the transceiver chip may be delivered.

Description

Terahertz probe waveguide for cancer surgery {TERAHERTZ PROBE WAVEGUIDE FOR CANCER SURGERY}

The following embodiments relate to a terahertz probe waveguide, and more particularly, to provide a high sensitivity probe module integrating a terahertz (THz) wave transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) and a waveguide (WG). It relates to a terahertz probe waveguide for cancer surgery.

~ 0.3 mm)는 마이크로파(microwave, f < ~ 100 GHz /

> ~ 1 mm)와 적외선(infrared, f > ~ 10 THz /

< ~ 10

) 사이에 위치한 미개척 스펙트럼 영역으로, 테라헤르츠 갭(THz Gap)로 불린다. 테라헤르츠(THz)파 대역은 마이크로파와 광파 대역의 중간에 위치하고 있어 빛의 직진성과 전자기파의 투과성을 모두 가지고 있으며, 마이크로파나 광파가 투과할 수 없는 물질을 쉽게 투과하고 수분에 잘 흡수되는 특성을 가지고 있다. 이에 테라헤르츠(THz)파는 의학, 의공학, 생화학, 식품공학, 공해감시 및 보안검색 등 다양한 산업에 적용되고 있으며, 그 중요성도 증대되고 있다. Terahertz (THz) electromagnetic waves (

~ 0.3 mm) is microwave (f <~ 100 GHz /

> To 1 mm) and infrared (f> to 10 THz /

<To 10

The unexplored spectral region located between), called the terahertz gap (THz Gap). The terahertz (THz) wave band is located in the middle of the microwave and light wave bands, so it has both the linearity of the light and the permeability of electromagnetic waves. The terahertz (THz) wave band is easily absorbed by water and easily absorbed by moisture. have. The THz wave is being applied to various industries such as medicine, medical engineering, biochemistry, food engineering, pollution monitoring and security screening, and its importance is also increasing.

Accordingly, passive devices such as terahertz waveguides, filters, resonators, and the like may be developed to apply to various application technologies such as information technology, biotechnology, environmental technology, space technology, and military technology. Terahertz (THz) wave devices are a field of THz photonics, a new technology where electronics and optics meet. In recent years, their application is in full swing, especially low energy (~ 4 meV)-non-invasive. It is harmless to human body, and its application is rapidly spreading to new concept analysis and diagnostic device as a core source technology of next-generation bio-medical industry.

Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2016-0008709 relates to a voltage-free transceiver operating in such a terahertz band, by forming a THz wave transmitter (Transmitter, Tx) and receiver (Receiver, Rx) on a single substrate in a single chip. A technique is described for a voltageless transceiver operating in the THz band capable of transmitting and detecting THz waves.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0008709

Embodiments describe a terahertz probe waveguide, and more specifically, a technique related to a terahertz (THz) wave transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) and a waveguide (WG) integrated high sensitivity probe module. to provide.

Embodiments provide a terahertz (THz) probe-waveguide (WG) integration module to provide a terahertz probe waveguide for cancer detection, including glioma via terahertz (THz) waves. have.

In one embodiment, a terahertz probe waveguide includes: a tube in which an inner space is formed; A core part accommodated in the inner space of the tube and spaced apart from the tube by a predetermined distance; And a transceiver chip configured at a rear side of the core part, and having a THz wave transmitter (Transmitter, Tx) and a receiver (Receiver, Rx) formed on a substrate to transmit and detect the THz wave. The THz wave guided out of the front end of the tube and transmitted from the transceiver chip can be delivered.

It further comprises an insulating plate made of a plate shape of an insulating material and a hole is formed therein to accommodate the core portion, wherein the insulating plate is composed of at least one inside the tube to the inner space of the tube We can fix wealth.

The insulating plate may be formed of at least one of Teflon, silicon, and quartz materials.

The tube is made of a metallic material, and the tube and the core portion are made of a coaxial cable form in which the core portion is disposed axially in the tube of the metallic material, or the tube is a cylindrical shape having no center conductor. The THz wave transmission loss of the core portion can be reduced.

The tube is made of a cylindrical shape, the front end portion may be gradually reduced in diameter to increase the THz wave transmission efficiency.

It may be made of a front end of the tube further comprises a cap made of an insulating material for contacting the front end of the core portion and the cancer tumor.

It may further comprise a needle tip (needle tip) inserted into the cap.

The needle tip may be replaced by being detachable from or connected to the front end of the core through the cap.

In the transceiver chip, a THz wave transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) are formed on a single substrate, and the THz wave can be transmitted and detected within a single chip.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a cancer detection apparatus including a terahertz probe waveguide includes: a grippable case; A tube accommodated in at least a portion of the case and having an inner space formed therein; A core part accommodated in the inner space of the tube and spaced apart from the tube by a predetermined distance; And a transceiver chip configured at a rear side of the core part and having a THz wave transmitter (Transmitter, Tx) and a receiver (Receiver, Rx) formed on a substrate to transmit and detect the THz wave. And a laser beam guided by an optical fiber to the rear surface of the transceiver chip for cancer detection including glioma, the front end of the core portion is guided out of the front end of the tube and transmitted from the transceiver chip. The THz wave may be delivered to detect a cancer including glioma.

In the case, an LED module is formed at an end thereof to inform whether cancer is detected, including glioma, through light.

It further comprises an insulating plate made of a plate shape of an insulating material and a hole is formed therein to accommodate the core portion, wherein the insulating plate is formed at least one inside the tube to the inner space portion of the tube The core portion can be fixed.

The tube is made of a cylindrical shape of a metal material, the front end portion is gradually reduced in diameter to increase the THz wave transmission efficiency, the tube and the core portion is coaxially arranged in the axial direction of the core portion of the tube of the metal material In the form of a (coaxial) cable, THz wave transmission loss can be reduced.

A cap formed at the front end of the tube and made of an insulating material to prevent THz wave loss at the front end of the core part; And a needle tip configured to penetrate through the cap and connected to the front end of the core part.

The needle tip is in contact with the body during surgery, and is connected to or separated from the front end of the core through the cap and is replaceable.

According to another embodiment, a terahertz probe waveguide includes: a tube in which an inner space is formed; And a transceiver chip configured at a rear side of the tube and having a THz wave transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) formed on a substrate to transmit and detect the THz wave, wherein the tube has a cylindrical shape. Although, the front end portion is gradually reduced in diameter to increase the THz wave transmission efficiency, THz wave transmitted from the transceiver chip may be transmitted to the front end portion through the inner space of the tube.

According to embodiments, by providing a terahertz (THz) probe-waveguide (WG) integration module, the miniaturization, high sensitivity, and high resolution for cancer detection including glioma via terahertz (THz) waves Can provide a terahertz probe waveguide.

In addition, according to the embodiments, the THz probe-waveguide (WG) integration module may not only be used for cancer diagnosis of all parts of the body accessible by the THz probe, but also may be used for thin films in semiconductor processes. (thin film) thickness and characteristics can be analyzed.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cancer detection apparatus including a terahertz probe waveguide according to an embodiment.
2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a terahertz probe waveguide according to an embodiment.
3 is a diagram illustrating a transceiver chip according to an exemplary embodiment.
4 is a diagram for describing a terahertz probe waveguide according to another embodiment.
5 is a diagram illustrating a waveguide directly connected to a transceiver chip, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the described embodiments may be modified in many different forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In addition, various embodiments are provided to more fully describe the present invention to those skilled in the art. Shape and size of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for more clear description.

The embodiments below relate to a technology of a high sensitivity probe module integrating a terahertz (THz) wave transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) and a waveguide (WG). A terahertz probe waveguide for cancer detection can be provided. Moreover, the embodiments can be used not only for the diagnosis of cancer in all parts of the body where the THz probe is accessible, but also in the industry for analyzing the thickness and properties of thin films, such as in semiconductor processes. .

In particular, it can provide a result that could not be diagnosed at the time of diagnosis of cancer in the existing glioma surgery, it can be used as a surgical guide probe. For example, the lens-type coupler is a small, highly efficient, single-chip transceiver ([Tx / Rx]) format that can be used as a surgical guiding probe or a disease such as a tumor that is difficult to discern visually during surgery. It can be used as a probe to distinguish and provide a boundary value. It can also be used as a real-time biopsy probe. For example, a waveguide (WG) -type ultra-high efficiency single chip transceiver ([Tx / Rx]) is used as a real-time biopsy probe for lesions such as cancer or lesions such as prostate cancer, breast cancer or lung cancer. Biopsy in real time (biopsy) can be used as a real-time biopsy probe (biopsy) to compensate for this situation is difficult to use biopsy (biopsy) using a conventional microscope (microscope). In addition, in-vivo real-time diagnosis of diseases that are difficult to diagnose and biopsy such as pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, or no-diagnosis for diseases diagnosed and biopsy using fluorescent materials such as breast cancer and digestive cancer It is also applicable to other cancer diseases.

< ps)을 가지는 THz 반도체 성장기술을 제공하고, 수신기(Rx)용 sub-ps 전하수명의 기판 제작 및 효율의 극대화를 위하여 낮은 온도에서 성장하는 저온성장(LTG) 기술과 다중양자우물(MQW) 구조를 활용할 수 있다.According to the embodiments, it is possible to develop a next-generation THz medical diagnostic apparatus incorporating a new concept of THz photonics into the bio and medical industries. A key component of the THz medical diagnostic equipment is the THz transmitter-receiver (Tx-Rx), which manufactures and integrates a transmitter / receiver (Tx / Rx) discrete device and integrates it into a compact, highly efficient single-chip transceiver (Couple- [Tx / Rx]). Core devices can be provided. For this purpose, ultra-short charge life (MBE growth technique)

It provides THz semiconductor growth technology with <ps), low temperature growth (LTG) technology and multi quantum well (MQW) to grow at low temperature for maximizing efficiency and manufacturing of substrate for sub-ps charge life for receiver (Rx). The structure can be used.

To provide THS ultra-high efficiency single chip transceiver ([Tx / Rx]) and high sensitivity probe module integrated with waveguide (WG) to provide medical diagnosis device for cancer surgery including glioma, 1 ) Efficiently combines optical fiber with ultra-high efficiency single chip transceiver ([Tx / Rx]) and waveguide (WG); (WG) modules, and 3) THz cancer surgical medical equipment can be optimized.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cancer detection apparatus including a terahertz probe waveguide according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, an arm detection apparatus 110 including a terahertz probe waveguide according to an embodiment includes a case 111, a tube 112, a core portion 113, and a transceiver chip 114. Can be done. In some embodiments, the cancer detection apparatus 110 including the terahertz probe waveguide may further include an insulation plate 115. Furthermore, the cancer detection device 110 including the terahertz probe waveguide may further include a cap and a needle tip formed through the cap.

The cancer detection device 110 including a terahertz probe waveguide may be used as a medical device for cancer surgery guide and biopsy by combining various electronic devices such as a signal generator 120 required for signal processing. For example, the signal generator 120 may provide a laser beam to the arm detection device 110 including the terahertz probe waveguide, and may include a lock-in amplifier 121, an all-fiber ultrafast laser 122, and a current amplifier ( 123) and the like.

The case 111 may be gripped and a space for accommodating the tube 112 or the like may be formed therein. For example, the case 111 may have a cylindrical shape penetrating therein to accommodate at least a portion of the tube 112. Here, the case 111 may be formed in various shapes to accommodate the tube 112 and the like in the cylindrical shape as well as to facilitate gripping. In this case, an optical fiber is configured in the inner space of the rear side of the case 111 so that the laser beam guided to the optical fiber may be incident on the rear surface of the transceiver chip 114 to detect cancer including glioma.

In addition, the LED module 116 is formed at the end of the case 111 may inform the presence or absence of cancer detection including glioma through light. That is, the LED module 116 may be attached to the end of the case 111 in order to quickly inform the medical staff of the presence or absence of cancer, and the presence or absence of cancer may be indicated by the color or flickering of light.

The tube 112 may be accommodated in at least a portion of the case 111, and an inner space may be formed so that the core portion 113 may be disposed. For example, the stop part and the rear end of the tube 112 may be accommodated in the case 111, and the front end part may protrude to the outside.

The tube 112 may be formed in a cylindrical shape of a metal material, wherein the front and / or rear ends of the tubes 112 are gradually smaller in diameter from the center to the front and / or rear ends in order to increase the THz wave transmission efficiency. Losing shape may be.

The core part 113 may be accommodated in the inner space of the tube 112 and may be disposed in the axial direction with a predetermined distance from the tube 112. The core portion 113 may be made of a metal material. Here, the tube 112 and the core portion 113 may form one waveguide.

The front end of the core portion 113 is guided to the outside of the front end of the tube 112 and the THz wave transmitted from the transceiver chip 114 is transmitted to enable cancer detection including glioma.

As described above, the tube 112 and the core portion 113 are formed in the form of a coaxial cable in which the core portion 113 is disposed axially in the tube 112 made of a metal material, thereby reducing the THz wave transmission loss of the waveguide. Can be. In addition, the tube 112 may be formed in a cylindrical shape without a center conductor. Here, the center conductor may mean the core portion 113, that is, the tube 112 may be formed in a cylindrical shape without the core portion 113.

The transceiver chip 114 is configured at the rear side of the core unit 113, and a THz wave transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Receiver, Rx) are formed on the substrate to transmit and detect the THz wave. Since the optical fiber is configured on the rear side of the transceiver chip 114, the laser beam guided to the optical fiber may be incident to detect cancer including glioma.

The transceiver chip 114 has a THz wave transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx formed on a single substrate, and transmits and detects the THz wave within a single chip.

Meanwhile, the optical fiber for injecting the laser beam may be provided from the signal generator 120 which is a separate medical device.

The insulating plate 115 may have a plate shape of an insulating material, and a hole may be formed therein so that the core portion 113 may penetrate. For example, the insulating plate 115 may be formed of a plate made of Teflon, silicon, and quartz. In addition, at least one insulating plate 115 may be formed inside the tube 112 to fix the core 113 to the inner space of the tube 112.

Furthermore, the cancer detection apparatus 110 including the terahertz probe waveguide may further include a cap and a needle tip inserted into the cap.

The cap is configured at the front end of the tube 112 and may be made of an insulating material such as silicon (silicon) for contact between the front end side of the core portion 113 and the cancer tumor.

A needle tip may be inserted into the cap and connected to the front end of the core portion 113. The needle tip is in contact with the body, such as the brain during surgery, is connected to or separated from the front end of the core portion 113 through the cap can be replaced.

In other words, the end of the terahertz probe waveguide can be sealed with an insulator with little THz wave loss and a disposable needle tip can be used to replace only the front part. Accordingly, the part in contact with the body such as the brain can be treated disposable to protect the patient from contamination and infection.

As such, a cap capable of protecting the front end of the terahertz probe waveguide may be configured to use the cancer detection device 110 including the terahertz probe waveguide for medical purposes.

The measured signal can secure a minimum of 1nA current, 1THz bandwidth, and 1000: 1 S / N. On the other hand, through the coupling efficiency study between the pulse laser and the optical fiber, the optical coupling efficiency of the ultra-short pulse is maximized and the distortion of the ultra-short pulse through the optical fiber is minimized, so that the THz ultra-high efficiency single chip transceiver ([Tx / Rx]) THz wave generation efficiency can be optimized. For example, an all-fiber laser light source (> 20 mW, <500 fs) suitable for generating THz waves can be provided.

In addition, the length of the arm detecting device 110 including the terahertz probe waveguide can be configured to be short and the diameter of the needle tip (needle tip) to about 1mm, but the size is not limited.

For example, the cancer detection device 110 including the terahertz probe waveguide may generate and detect a THz wave signal and serve as a cancer surgery guide. The terahertz probe waveguide can be designed to be within 15 cm in length and 1 cm in diameter. The length of the signal cable (cable) provided from the signal generator 120, which is a medical device, can be designed up to 2 m to allow access to all positions of the operating table from the signal generator 120.

 According to embodiments, it is possible to provide a miniaturization, high sensitivity, and high resolution technology that was limited when applied to bioanalysis and medical diagnosis using THz waves, thereby providing a cell-level high resolution analysis and diagnostic technology using ultra-high sensitivity THz-probe. Can be.

In this way, the focused electric field makes it possible to investigate the THz ultra-high electric field which could not be applied to the living body by utilizing the property of forming an ultra-high electric field, and thus, various new biological phenomena can be observed.

2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a terahertz probe waveguide according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the terahertz probe waveguide 200 according to an embodiment, which is partially cut to illustrate the interior. Referring to FIG. 2, the terahertz probe waveguide 200 according to an embodiment may include a tube 210, a core part 220, and a transceiver chip 230. In some embodiments, the terahertz probe waveguide 200 may further include an insulating plate 250, and further include a cap 240 and a needle tip (not shown) inserted into the cap 240. Can be done.

Herein, the components of the terahertz probe waveguide 200 according to an embodiment may have the same or similar function as the components of the cancer detection apparatus including the terahertz probe waveguide 200 according to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1. It may include components. For example, the tube 210, the core portion 220, the transceiver chip 230, the insulating plate 250, the cap 240, and the needle tip of the terahertz probe waveguide 200 according to an embodiment may be one. It may be a component having the same or similar function as that of the component of the cancer detection apparatus including the terahertz probe waveguide 200 according to the embodiment. On the contrary, a component of the cancer detection apparatus including the terahertz probe waveguide 200 according to an embodiment includes a component having the same function as or similar to that of the terahertz probe waveguide 200 according to an embodiment. can do. Hereinafter, each component will be described in more detail.

The tube 210 may have an inner space formed therein such that the core 220 may be disposed. The tube 210 may be formed in a cylindrical shape of a metal material, and in this case, the front end of the tube 210 may have a shape in which the diameter gradually decreases to increase the THz wave transmission efficiency. In this case, the tube 210 may be used as a metal material or another material, but the inside may be treated with a metal surface.

The core part 220 may be accommodated in the inner space of the tube 210 and may be disposed in the axial direction with a predetermined distance from the tube 210.

The front end 221 of the core part 220 is guided to the outside of the front end of the tube 210 and the THz wave transmitted from the transceiver chip 230 is transmitted to allow a thin film in cancer detection such as glioma or a semiconductor process. The thickness and properties of the can be analyzed.

The tube 210 and the core portion 220 forming the waveguide as described above are formed in the form of a coaxial cable in which the core portion 220 is disposed in the axial direction in the tube 210 made of a metal material, and the THz wave of the waveguide. The transmission loss can be reduced.

The transceiver chip 230 is configured at the rear or rear end 222 of the core unit 220, and a THz wave transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx are formed on the substrate to transmit and detect the THz wave. Since the optical fiber 260 is configured on the rear side of the transceiver chip 230, the laser beam guided to the optical fiber 260 may be incident.

The transceiver chip 230 has a THz wave transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx formed on a single substrate, and transmits and detects the THz wave within a single chip.

The insulating plate 250 is formed in a plate shape of an insulating material, and a hole is formed therein to accommodate the core part 220. At least one insulating plate 250 may be formed inside the tube 210 to fix the core part 220 to an inner space of the tube 210. For example, the insulating plate 250 may be formed of a Teflon plate, and the thickness of the Teflon plate may be approximately 3 mm, but the material and the thickness thereof are not limited. As another example, the insulating plate 250 may be made of silicon and a plate made of quartz material.

Furthermore, the terahertz probe waveguide 200 may further include a cap 240 and a needle tip inserted into the cap 240.

The cap 240 is configured at the front end of the tube 210 and may be made of an insulating material for contact between the front end side of the core part 220 and the cancer tumor.

A needle tip may be inserted into the cap 240 and connected to the front end of the core part 220. The needle tip is connected to or separated from the front end of the core part 220 through the cap 240 and is replaceable.

According to embodiments, a miniaturized, high-sensitivity, high-resolution terahertz probe waveguide can be provided for cancer detection, including glioma through terahertz (THz) waves. In addition, the THz probe-waveguide (WG) integration module enables THz probes to be used for cancer diagnosis of all accessible parts of the body, as well as thin film applications in semiconductor processes. Thickness and properties can be analyzed.

These terahertz probe waveguides can improve the S / N ratio of the THz near field signal of ultra-small, highly efficient single-chip transceivers ([Tx / Rx]) up to 5,000: 1 or more, and the ultra-high efficiency, single-chip transceivers ([Tx / By designing a waveguide direct THz probe module at Rx]), the THz wave losses can be kept below -6dB at each stage.

In addition, the terahertz probe waveguide can maximize the generation and detection efficiency of THz waves by using a stable polarization maintaining all-fiber ultra-short laser light source.

3 is a diagram illustrating a transceiver chip according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the transceiver chip 230 is configured behind the waveguide, and a THz wave transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx are formed on the substrate to transmit and detect the THz wave. Since the optical fiber 260 is configured on the rear side of the transceiver chip 230, the laser beam 261 guided to the optical fiber 260 may be incident.

The transceiver chip 230 has a THz wave transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx formed on a single substrate, and transmits and detects the THz wave within a single chip.

Moreover, the transceiver chip 230 is a THz wave generator operating in the THz wave band (Tx / Rx) is located on an insulating or semi-insulating (SI) substrate, and operates without a bias voltage Or it may include a detector or a receiver (Rx) which is located spaced apart from the transmitter (Tx) at a predetermined interval to detect the THz wave (Patent Document 1). Here, the transmitter Tx may be configured of a metal line having a constant thickness and line width, and the receiver Rx may include a second active layer positioned on the substrate and a photoconductive antenna positioned on the second active layer. Voltage-free transmitters / receivers (Tx / Rx) operating in the THz wave band do not use a bias voltage, which significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio, and uses a pulse laser light source having a low peak power. It can also be used safely when applied to medical diagnostic equipment intended for humans.

4 is a diagram for describing a terahertz probe waveguide according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, a terahertz probe waveguide according to another embodiment is schematically illustrated, and partially cut away to explain the interior thereof. In this case, the terahertz probe waveguide according to another embodiment may be formed of a cylindrical waveguide 410 having no center conductor therein.

That is, the terahertz probe waveguide according to another embodiment may include a tube and a transceiver chip. According to an embodiment, the terahertz probe waveguide may further include a cap and a needle tip inserted into the cap.

More specifically, the terahertz probe waveguide according to another embodiment is configured on a tube in which the inner space is formed, and on the rear side of the tube, and a THz wave transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) are formed on the substrate. And a transceiver chip for transmitting and detecting THz waves. Here, the tube is made of a cylindrical shape, the front end portion is gradually reduced in diameter in order to increase the THz wave transmission efficiency, THz wave transmitted from the transceiver chip can be transmitted to the front end portion through the inner space of the tube.

Here, the terahertz probe waveguide according to another embodiment may include a component having the same function as or similar to that of the terahertz probe waveguide 200 according to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2. For example, the terahertz probe waveguide according to another embodiment is the same as the tube 210, the transceiver chip 230, the cap 240, and the needle tip of the terahertz probe waveguide 200 according to an embodiment. Or may include components that perform similar functions.

The terahertz probe waveguide according to another embodiment is formed in the form of a cylindrical waveguide 410 having no center conductor, in which case the transmission loss is relatively low and the guiding characteristics are excellent. In this case, the cylindrical waveguide 410 having no central conductor may be configured to gradually decrease in diameter from the center portion toward the front end portion and / or the rear end portion. As a result, the THz wave transmission efficiency of the waveguide can be improved. On the other hand, the conventional metal wire-shaped waveguide has a very low THz wave transmission loss and a transmission frequency in a TEM mode without a cutoff frequency, but guiding characteristics are not very good.

Here, the tube of the terahertz probe waveguide according to another embodiment may be formed so that the inner diameter of the cylinder is smaller than the terahertz probe waveguide according to the embodiment of Figure 2 to reduce the THz wave transmission loss of the waveguide. For example, the inner diameter of the cylinder of the tube of the terahertz probe waveguide according to another embodiment may be approximately 2 to 3 mm. On the other hand, the inner diameter of the cylinder of the tube of the terahertz probe waveguide according to an embodiment may be approximately 10mm.

As another example, the waveguide may include a tube and a core portion as described in FIG. 2, and the tube and core portion may be configured in a coaxial cable shape. That is, it is possible to reduce the THz wave transmission loss of the waveguide by forming a coaxial cable in which the core part is disposed axially in the metal tube.

In the case of a general coaxial cable shape, the guiding characteristic is very good, but there is a THz wave transmission loss due to an insulating material. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the insulating plate may be additionally configured to support the core, which is the central metal, to design the probe portion of the THz medical system, which reduces the transmission loss by coping with the insulating material with air (empty space). The diameter of the cylinder of the tube can be designed large enough to overcome the cutoff frequency of the TE11 mode depending on the structure.

In this way, the THz wave transmission and efficiency characteristics according to the waveguide structure may be evaluated and analyzed to construct a database for the THz probe-waveguide (WG) module.

5 is a diagram illustrating a waveguide directly connected to a transceiver chip, according to an exemplary embodiment.

When the THz field focused around the end of the cylindrical waveguide (WG) is detected using a single dipole antenna, there is a limit of detecting an electric field at a point. To overcome this limitation, as shown in FIG. 5, a [3x3] array 2D multi dipole antennas are placed around the core portion 520 to measure the entire THz field. can do. Here, the multi dipole antennas of the [3 × 3] array 2D may be disposed on the rear surface of the transceiver chip 510.

By using an algorithm capable of processing data obtained from the 3x3 2D array Rx chip, field strengths of up to three times can be improved compared to data processing by a single antenna.

According to the embodiments, the new concept of THz Couple-Ultra-High Efficiency Single Chip Transceiver ([Tx / Rx]) is expected to contribute to the enhancement of the performance of the next generation of THz wave applications for medical diagnosis.

In particular, glioma is the most incidence of brain tumors in Korea, and glioblastoma is the most prognostic disease with all carcinomas (12.6% survival after surgery). Many conventional target anticancer agents for the treatment of glioma have been convinced of their effectiveness in preclinical trials but have failed during clinical trials, and thus new directions of target selection and approach are needed for the diagnosis and treatment of glioma. Factors indicative of good prognosis of glioma treatment include sex, mutation type, and complete extraction of glioma lesions.However, artificial prognosis can be improved by surgical operation. This is the best cure.

The techniques currently used during surgery for glioma completeness include neo-navigation, intraoperative MRI, and fluorescence imaging techniques using contrast media. Fluorescence imaging technology is most effectively used. However, despite the state-of-the-art technology, the probability of fluorescence expression is close to 66% in class 3 glioma and 0% in class 2 glioma, making it difficult to fully extract low grade glioma. In addition, the use of contrast agents is accompanied by side effects such as photobleaching, photosensitivity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a technique that does not use contrast agents and can detect low-grade glioma and describe boundaries during surgery.

According to embodiments, imaging technology using THz electromagnetic waves, which is sensitive to the difference between water and fat components, can diagnose and delineate cancers, such as low grade glioma, by non-marking during surgery, which is impossible with conventional techniques. Since there is no side effect of contrast agent and the possibility of FDA approval is very high, it is a practical technology that can be used in actual clinical field.

As described above, according to the embodiments, a new paradigm of delineation and treatment of tumor tissues in cancer surgery such as glioma can be presented by realizing the use of contrast-free and low-grade glioma border. The elimination of contrast agents is very effective in reducing medical costs.

Although the embodiments have been described by the limited embodiments and the drawings as described above, various modifications and variations are possible to those skilled in the art from the above description. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order than the described method, and / or components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. may be combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components. Or even if replaced or substituted by equivalents, an appropriate result can be achieved.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are within the scope of the claims that follow.

Claims (16)

A tube in which an inner space is formed;
A core part accommodated in the inner space of the tube and spaced apart from the tube by a predetermined distance;
A transceiver chip configured at a rear side of the core part and having a THz wave transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) formed on a substrate to transmit and detect the THz wave; And
Insulation plate made of a plate shape of an insulating material and a hole is formed therein to penetrate the core part.
Including,
The tube,
It is made of a cylindrical shape, the front end portion is gradually reduced in diameter to increase the THz wave transmission efficiency,
The front end of the core portion,
A THz wave guided out of the front end of the tube and transmitted from the transceiver chip is delivered to contact a cancer tumor to perform cancer detection including glioma,
The transceiver chip,
The THz wave transmitter (Tx) and the receiver (Rx) are formed on a single substrate, transmit and detect the THz wave in a single chip,
The insulating plate,
At least one inside of the tube is fixed to the core portion of the inner space of the tube, the terahertz probe waveguide, characterized in that to reduce the transmission loss by handling the insulating material with air. delete The method of claim 1,
The insulating plate,
Consisting of at least one of Teflon, silicon, and quartz materials
Terahertz probe waveguide, characterized in that. The method of claim 1,
The tube,
Made of metal,
Wherein the tube and the core portion are in the form of a coaxial cable in which the core portion is axially disposed within the tube of metal material, or the tube is in the form of a cylinder without a center conductor to reduce THz wave transmission loss.
Terahertz probe waveguide, characterized in that. delete The method of claim 1,
Cap formed at the front end of the tube and made of an insulating material for contact between the front end of the core portion and the cancer tumor
The terahertz probe waveguide further comprising. The method of claim 6,
Needle tip inserted into the cap
The terahertz probe waveguide further comprising. The method of claim 7, wherein
The needle tip is
Replaceable by being connected to or separated from the front end of the core part through the cap
Terahertz probe waveguide, characterized in that. delete Gripping case;
A tube accommodated in at least a portion of the case and having an inner space formed therein;
A core part accommodated in the inner space of the tube and spaced apart from the tube by a predetermined distance;
A transceiver chip configured at a rear side of the core part and having a THz wave transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) formed on a substrate to transmit and detect the THz wave; And
Insulation plate made of a plate shape of an insulating material and a hole is formed therein to penetrate the core part.
Including,
The case,
It has a penetrating shape inside, and enters a laser beam guided into the optical fiber to the back of the transceiver chip for cancer detection including glioma,
The tube,
It is made of a cylindrical shape of a metal material, the front end portion is gradually reduced in diameter to increase the THz wave transmission efficiency,
The front end of the core portion,
As the THz wave is transmitted to the outside of the front end of the tube and transmitted from the transceiver chip and contacts the cancer tumor, cancer detection including glioma is possible.
The transceiver chip,
The THz wave transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) are formed on a single substrate, transmit and detect the THz wave in a single chip,
The insulating plate,
At least one inner part of the tube to fix the core to an inner space of the tube and to reduce transmission loss by coping with an insulating material with air;
Cancer detection device comprising a terahertz probe waveguide, characterized in that. The method of claim 10,
The case,
LED module is formed at the end to inform the presence or absence of cancer detection including glioma by light
Cancer detection device comprising a terahertz probe waveguide, characterized in that. delete The method of claim 10,
The tube and the core portion is made of a coaxial cable form the core portion in the axial direction in the tube of the metallic material, or the tube is made of a cylindrical form to reduce the THz wave transmission loss
Cancer detection device comprising a terahertz probe waveguide, characterized in that. The method of claim 10,
A cap formed at the front end of the tube and made of an insulating material to prevent THz wave loss at the front end of the core part; And
A needle tip inserted into the cap and connected to the front end of the core part.
Cancer detection device comprising a terahertz probe waveguide further comprising. The method of claim 14,
The needle tip is
Being in contact with the brain or body during surgery, connectable or separated with the front end of the core through the cap and replaceable
Cancer detection device comprising a terahertz probe waveguide, characterized in that. A tube in which an inner space is formed; And
Transceiver chip configured at the rear side of the tube and having a THz wave transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) formed on a substrate to transmit and detect the THz wave.
Including,
The transceiver chip,
The THz wave transmitter (Tx) and the receiver (Rx) are formed on a single substrate, transmit and detect the THz wave in a single chip,
The tube,
It is made of a cylindrical shape, the front end portion is gradually reduced in diameter to increase the THz wave transmission efficiency, THz wave transmitted from the transceiver chip is transmitted to the front end portion through the inner space of the tube to contact the cancer tumor, including glioma To detect the cancer, and for the THz wave guiding (tertiary guiding) characteristics, the terahertz probe waveguide, characterized in that the inner diameter is made of 2 to 3mm.

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