Endoscopic Biopsy Apparatus with Spectrally Encoded Confocal Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic biopsy methods suffer from poor diagnostic yields due to random sampling and limited field of view, making it difficult to identify and target precancerous and early cancerous tissues effectively, especially in conditions like Barrett's esophagus, where visual inspection is low in sensitivity and macroscopic imaging techniques provide insufficient resolution for architectural and cellular diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
The development of a spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (SECM) system integrated into an endoscopic probe that enables comprehensive volumetric imaging with high resolution and rapid scanning capabilities, allowing for automatic focus maintenance and imaging at multiple depth locations, combined with a laser marking system for precise biopsy targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If random biopsy sampling is performed, then the procedure is simple and quick, but the diagnostic yield is poor due to sampling error
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary macroscopic imaging and microscopic analysis of the entire tissue surface before biopsy. This preliminary action identifies and marks the precise locations of precancerous lesions, ensuring that subsequent biopsies are taken from the most suspicious areas rather than randomly, thereby dramatically improving diagnostic yield.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a detailed visual copy (image map) of the tissue surface with marked lesion locations. This copy guides the biopsy procedure by showing exactly where to sample, replacing random sampling with targeted sampling based on the visual map, thus improving diagnostic accuracy without significantly increasing procedural complexity.
2Measurement precision
If visual inspection is used to identify abnormal tissue, then the procedure is simple, but the sensitivity is low for detecting metaplasia, dysplasia, and early cancer
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system separates the detection process into two distinct segments: macroscopic imaging to identify large-scale abnormal regions, and microscopic imaging to detect subtle cellular changes in those regions. This segmentation allows each imaging mode to optimize for its specific detection task, achieving high overall sensitivity while keeping each individual imaging component relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from purely visual (macroscopic) inspection to include microscopic dimension analysis. By adding the microscopic imaging dimension, the system can detect cellular-level changes in metaplasia and dysplasia that are invisible to the naked eye, dramatically improving detection sensitivity for early cancer.
3Productivity
If macroscopic imaging methods are used, then large regions of tissue can be evaluated quickly, but the resolution is insufficient for architectural and cellular diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system separates the detection process into two distinct segments: macroscopic imaging to identify large-scale abnormal regions, and microscopic imaging to detect subtle cellular changes in those regions. This segmentation allows each imaging mode to optimize for its specific detection task, achieving high overall sensitivity while keeping each individual imaging component relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from purely visual (macroscopic) inspection to include microscopic dimension analysis. By adding the microscopic imaging dimension, the system can detect cellular-level changes in metaplasia and dysplasia that are invisible to the naked eye, dramatically improving detection sensitivity for early cancer.
4Area of stationary object
If microscopic imaging probes are manually manipulated for point-sampling, then the probe design is simple, but the field of view is very small and sampling limitations persist
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges macroscopic imaging capability with microscopic imaging capability into a single integrated system. This merging allows the system to first identify large abnormal regions using macroscopic imaging, then immediately switch to microscopic imaging for detailed analysis of those specific regions, effectively combining the advantages of both imaging scales without requiring separate manual procedures.
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 sensitivity of dysplasia and early adenocarcinoma detection by providing high-resolution, three-dimensional images of large epithelial surfaces, enabling targeted biopsies and potentially reducing the mortality associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma through improved diagnostic capabilities and less invasive treatment options.
Implementation Method 1
One such microscopic imaging technique, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), can be suited for non-invasive microscopy in patients as it offers imaging of cellular structures at ̃1 μm resolution, can measure microstructure without tissue contact
Implementation Method 2
RCM can reject or ignore multiply scattered light from tissue, and detects the singly backscattered photons that contain structural information by employing confocal selection of light reflected from a tightly focused beam
Implementation Method 3
an image-guided laser marking system that can be used to mark suspect image locations so that they can be subsequently biopsied
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments of apparatus, method and system for determining a position on or in a biological tissue can be provided. For example, using such exemplary embodiment, it is possible to control the focus of an optical imaging probe. In another exemplary embodiment, it is possible to implement a marking apparatus together with or into an optical imaging probe. According to one exemplary embodiment, it is possible (using one or more arrangements) to receive information associated with at least one image of at least one portion of the biological tissue obtained using an optical imaging technique. Further, it is possible to, based on the information, cause a visible change on or in at least location of the portion(s) using at least one electro-magnetic radiation.