Filterless UCNP Imaging for Microscopic Tumor Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intraoperative imaging systems are limited by bulky and rigid optics, which restrict their ability to visualize microscopic disease and lymph node involvement during cancer surgery, leading to increased cancer recurrence and metastasis due to undetected residual disease.
Innovation Solution
An ultra-thin, filterless imaging system utilizing upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) integrated with surgical instruments for time-resolved imaging, enabling direct tissue contact and single-cell visualization without the need for conventional optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional intraoperative imaging systems use traditional optics, then they can provide adequate imaging capability, but the bulky and rigid optics limit their ability to contact tissue directly and visualize microscopic disease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the bulky optical components (lenses, filters, mirrors) from the imaging system. By using upconverting nanoparticles that emit light at wavelengths directly detectable by silicon photodetectors, the system removes the need for complex optical pathways, enabling direct tissue contact imaging with microscopic precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using upconverting nanoparticles that absorb near-infrared light and emit visible light. This parameter change allows the imaging system to operate with simple photodetectors instead of complex optics, enabling direct tissue contact while maintaining high detection precision for microscopic disease
2Reliability
If traditional fluorophores are used for molecular imaging, then they can label cancer cells, but the small Stokes shift and absorption cross-section require high-performance optical filters and lenses that limit intraoperative instrumentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using upconverting nanoparticles with large Stokes shifts that absorb near-infrared light and emit visible light. This parameter change eliminates the need for high-performance optical filters and lenses, allowing accurate cancer cell labeling while simplifying intraoperative instrumentation to basic photodetectors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite upconverting nanoparticle structures that combine multiple materials (e.g., core-shell designs with different refractive indices and optical properties) to achieve enhanced absorption cross-sections and large Stokes shifts, enabling reliable cancer cell labeling without complex optics
3Reliability
If the imaging system operates from outside the tumor bed, then it can maintain a safe distance, but this significantly decreases sensitivity for detecting residual disease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin-film photodetector arrays that can be flexed and conform to irregular tissue surfaces within surgical cavities. This enables the imaging system to operate in direct contact with tissue throughout the tumor bed and lymph node basins, significantly increasing sensitivity while maintaining ease of manipulation in confined surgical spaces
4Reliability
If lymph nodes are empirically irradiated to treat potential residual disease, then survival benefit is achieved in high-risk patients, but significant morbidity occurs from treating uninvolved nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time optical feedback during surgery by detecting upconverting nanoparticle signals from lymph nodes intraoperatively. This feedback allows surgeons to identify and selectively treat only those lymph nodes containing residual disease, avoiding unnecessary radiation to uninvolved nodes while maintaining survival benefits through targeted therapy
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 enhances sensitivity and spatial resolution, allowing precise detection of microscopic tumor foci and lymph node involvement, reducing cancer recurrence and metastasis by ensuring complete resection and targeted radiation therapy.
Implementation Method 1
the long UCNP time-constants on the order of 100-1000 μs, readily detectable by modern high-speed silicon-based ICs, to implement time-resolved imaging
Implementation Method 2
the long UCNP time-constants on the order of 100-1000 μs, readily detectable by modern high-speed silicon-based ICs, to implement time-resolved imaging
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to the use of optical nanoparticles in the illumination and imaging of tissues such as cancer tissues. Optical nanoparticles such as upconverting nanoparticles can be introduced into a patient and illuminated at a first time and wavelength and then imaged at a second time and wavelength to improve resolution and reduce imager size.