Combined Modality Optical Probe for Tissue Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical techniques for brain tumors and intracranial hemorrhages involve significant trauma and long recovery times due to the removal of healthy white matter and large cranial trauma, and existing optical techniques for tissue characterization lack specificity and efficiency during surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a combined modality optical probe that irradiates tissue samples with excitation light from two optical modalities, where a faster but less specific modality is used initially for screening, and a slower but more specific modality is employed when the initial results are inconclusive, allowing for more accurate tissue characterization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single optical technique is used for tissue characterization, then the measurement can be acquired rapidly or with high specificity, but it cannot simultaneously achieve both speed and specificity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical modalities (fluorescence spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy) into a single integrated probe system. The probe contains both fluorescence excitation light sources and Raman laser sources, allowing simultaneous or sequential acquisition of both fast but less specific fluorescence signals and slow but highly specific Raman signals from the same tissue location, thereby resolving the trade-off between speed and specificity
Solution Approach 2:
The optical probe is designed with multi-functionality to perform both fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy measurements using a single device. The probe includes multiple light sources, optical fibers for light delivery and collection, and can switch between different measurement modes, making it a universal tool that provides both rapid screening capability and detailed specific tissue characterization
2Ease of operation
If traditional surgical techniques are used to access brain tumors, then the surgeon can reach the target, but healthy white matter must be removed and cranial trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical surgical exploration and tissue removal with optical-based tissue characterization. The optical probe can identify tumor boundaries and tissue types through spectroscopic signatures without requiring mechanical dissection or removal of overlying healthy tissue, allowing the surgeon to navigate to the target while preserving healthy white matter
Solution Approach 2:
The optical probe acts as an intermediary tool that provides real-time tissue characterization information to guide surgical navigation. Rather than directly removing tissue, the probe delivers light to the tissue and collects spectral signals that serve as an intermediate step to identify tumor locations and boundaries, enabling precise targeting without excessive healthy tissue removal
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables faster and more accurate tissue characterization, reducing trauma and recovery time by providing real-time, minimally invasive analysis with improved specificity, guiding surgeons during procedures with enhanced predictive capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
irradiate a tissue sample with excitation light respective to two optical modalities
Implementation Method 2
fluorescence techniques (with endogenous or exogenous fluorophores) including time-resolved fluorescence
Implementation Method 3
one or more optical conduits configured to: convey the excitation light from the one or more light sources to the optical probe; convey the light in the first wavelength range from the optical probe to the first optical analysis device
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method using a combined modality optical probe is provided. The system comprises: light source(s) providing excitation light; a first optical analysis device configured to receive light in a first range and analyze it using a first optical modality; a second optical analysis device configured to receive light in a second range and analyze it using a second optical modality slower than the first modality; an optical probe configured to: convey the excitation light to a tissue sample; receive the light in the first and second ranges from the sample; and, one or more optical conduits configured to: convey the excitation light from the light source(s) to the optical probe; convey the light in the first range from the optical probe to the first optical analysis device; and convey the light in the second range from the optical probe to the second optical analysis device.