Fast Infrared Cancer Probe for Real-Time Tissue Discrimination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared (IR) probes for tissue analysis, such as those used in dermatology and surgery, are too slow for practical use in detecting cancer and determining surgical margins in real-time settings, necessitating faster methods for tissue discrimination.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a quantum cascade IR laser (QCL) with a reduced set of IR wavelengths, combined with an attenuated total reflection (ATR) probe and thermal microbolometer detector, enable rapid tissue discrimination by evaluating IR spectra using metrics like peak absorbances and principal component scores, capable of distinguishing normal from abnormal tissue in seconds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional FTIR-ATR probes are used for tissue analysis, then comprehensive spectral data can be obtained, but the data acquisition time is too slow for real-time clinical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the most diagnostically relevant spectral features (peak absorbances at specific wavelengths, principal component scores) from the full IR spectrum, rather than analyzing all spectral data. This selective extraction maintains diagnostic accuracy while dramatically reducing processing time, enabling real-time clinical decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the continuous IR spectrum into discrete, clinically relevant wavelength regions and identifies specific peak absorbances within those regions. By dividing the spectral analysis into targeted segments rather than processing the entire spectrum uniformly, the system achieves faster analysis while preserving essential diagnostic information.
2Productivity
If a reduced set of IR wavelengths is used, then data acquisition speed increases, but measurement completeness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing measurement resources on specific, diagnostically critical wavelength regions rather than uniformly sampling the entire IR spectrum. The system identifies and prioritizes peak absorbances at particular wavelengths that are most informative for distinguishing tumor from non-tumor tissue, allocating analytical depth locally where it provides maximum diagnostic value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of wavelength selection from comprehensive continuous sampling to a reduced discrete set of clinically optimized wavelengths. By transforming the spectral measurement approach from broad-band to targeted wavelength-specific detection, the system achieves faster acquisition speeds while maintaining diagnostic precision through careful selection of informative spectral parameters.
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
The system achieves rapid tissue discrimination, reducing data acquisition time from minutes to seconds, enabling real-time assessment of surgical margins and improving clinical decision-making in cancer detection.
Implementation Method 1
IR spectroscopy on the specimen is performed using an IR source comprising a quantum cascade IR laser (QCL)
Implementation Method 2
An attenuated total reflection (ATR) probe is a probe that uses an internally reflecting beam of light inside a crystal producing an evanescent wave at the crystal's reflecting surface
Implementation Method 3
thermal microbolometer detector
Implementation Method 4
IR spectroscopy can be performed on a small amount of tissue and is sensitive to molecular-level biochemical changes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods utilizing an infrared probe and discriminating software to rapidly discriminate abnormal tissue processes from normal tissue during surgery, physical examination of in-situ lesions, and in the assessment of biopsy and resected tissue specimens. Examples demonstrate discrimination of cancerous from noncancerous tissues. The discriminating software, i.e. the metrics, algorithms, calibrant spectra, and decision equations, allows tissue to be identified as abnormal or normal using a minimum of infrared (IR) wavelengths in order to be measured rapidly. The probe records IR metrics approximately 1000 times faster than current commercial instruments, i.e. on a timescale fast enough for clinical use. The probe uses a tunable mid-infrared laser with a small set of selected wavelengths that are optimized for detecting the chemical and molecular signatures of tissue specific lesions to include, but not limited to, cancer, preneoplasia, intracellular accumulations (e.g. steatosis), inflammation, and wound healing.