Endometrial Tissue Identification via Optical Fluorescence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying and removing endometrial tissue in the abdomen are inefficient, often requiring multiple surgeries due to incomplete identification and potential damage to important structures, with existing imaging techniques like CT, MRI, and ultrasound being ineffective in confirming lesions, leading to incomplete removal of diseased tissue.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical properties, specifically endogenous fluorescence of hemosiderin, detected through two-photon luminescence (TPL) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging techniques, to identify and classify endometrial tissue, employing excitation light sources like LEDs and lasers, and imaging devices with CMOS sensors, to improve surgical removal accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging techniques (CT, MRI, ultrasound) are used to identify endometrial tissue, then the imaging process is non-invasive and can be performed before surgery, but these techniques cannot accurately identify lesions and lead to incomplete tissue removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/surgical biopsy methods with optical imaging techniques (two-photon luminescence and optical coherence tomography) to detect endometrial tissue. The TPL imaging uses excitation light to detect endogenous fluorescence from hemosiderin, while OCT imaging detects backscattered light from glandular structures, eliminating the need for multiple surgical biopsies and improving both diagnostic accuracy and surgical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical imaging as an intermediary between conventional imaging and surgical removal. The imaging system provides real-time visual feedback during surgery, allowing surgeons to precisely identify and remove endometrial tissue while preserving healthy structures, thereby resolving the contradiction between accurate lesion identification and surgical efficiency.
2Reliability
If surgical biopsies are performed to confirm endometriosis, then histologic confirmation can be obtained, but only eighty percent of removed tissue is typically diseased indicating incomplete identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using optical imaging to specifically highlight endometrial tissue characteristics (hemosiderin fluorescence and glandular structures) while leaving surrounding healthy tissue unchanged. This allows selective identification and removal of only the diseased portions, improving diagnostic reliability while minimizing healthy tissue loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary optical imaging and identification of endometrial tissue before surgical removal. The TPL and OCT imaging systems map the location and extent of diseased tissue in advance, allowing surgeons to plan precise removal strategies that maximize disease removal while minimizing healthy tissue loss.
3Reliability
If multiple surgeries are performed due to incomplete identification, then more diseased tissue can be removed, but the treatment time and patient burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous optical imaging guidance throughout the surgical procedure, allowing real-time identification and removal of all endometrial tissue in a single operation. The imaging system continuously monitors the surgical field, ensuring complete removal of diseased tissue while preserving healthy structures, thereby eliminating the need for multiple surgeries and reducing overall treatment time.
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 significantly enhances the detection and removal of endometrial tissue, reducing the need for multiple surgeries, minimizing healthy tissue removal, and shortening surgical procedures by providing high predictive values for endometrial tissue identification, with TPL achieving 100% positive predictive value and OCT achieving 100% negative predictive value in relevant samples.
Implementation Method 1
identify endometrial tissue via the endogenous fluorescence of hemosiderin when subjected to excitation light
Implementation Method 2
imaging with two-photon luminescence (TPL) apparatus can be used to reveal the endogenous fluorescence of hemosiderin
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatus and methods to identify endometrial tissue.