FLIM Biopsy Slide Imaging for Real-Time Tissue Adequacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current biopsy and pathology process is time-consuming, leading to delays in obtaining clinically actionable results, which can result in unnecessary repeat procedures, increased patient risk, poor-quality outcomes, and adverse effects on patient care and survival rates due to the inability to determine if adequate tissue is collected during the initial biopsy.
Innovation Solution
A FLIM-based biopsy system that utilizes fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to rapidly evaluate tissue samples in real-time, reducing the need for oversampling and repeat procedures by using a slide with a concave region to capture wide-field images and a movable shuttle system for precise positioning and imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple biopsies are taken from different parts of the tumor to ensure adequate tissue collection, then the reliability of diagnosis is improved, but the patient injury and procedural risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary evaluation of the biopsy sample immediately after collection using FLIM (fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy) and AI analysis. This real-time assessment determines whether the sample contains adequate tumor tissue before proceeding to formal pathology processing, eliminating the need for multiple blind biopsy attempts and reducing patient injury from repeated procedures.
2Loss of time
If rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) is implemented to assess tissue adequacy during biopsy, then the need for repeat procedures is reduced, but the device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pathology processing systems with a non-invasive optical imaging system (FLIM). Instead of requiring physical tissue sectioning, staining, and microscopic examination by pathologists, the system uses fluorescence lifetime measurements combined with AI algorithms to rapidly assess tissue adequacy and provide diagnostic information, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining rapid evaluation capability.
3Measurement precision
If traditional histopathology processing is used to ensure accurate diagnosis, then the measurement precision is improved, but the time required for results increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an optical copy of the tissue's metabolic state through fluorescence lifetime imaging. Instead of requiring physical processing of the actual tissue sample through fixation, sectioning, and staining, the system captures fluorescent signals that copy and represent the tissue's biochemical characteristics, providing diagnostic information rapidly without the time-consuming traditional processing steps while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through AI analysis.
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 enables rapid evaluation of tissue samples during procedures, reducing complications and time to diagnosis, increasing the confidence of adequate tissue collection, and providing reliable results to guide medical decision-making, thus improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for repeat biopsies.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) device is used to capture a sequence of wide field images
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided comprising: positioning a slide that includes a concave region that is formed in a top surface of the slide and that can contain an object, such that a focal point of an objective lens of a fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) device is within an area of the concave region between a bottom surface of the concave region and the top surface of the slide; and using the FLIM device to capture a sequence of wide field images of a portion of the object within a field of view of the objective lens.