Fluorescence Imaging Device for Surgical Cancer Cell Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluorescent medical imaging systems face limitations such as low sensitivity, limited video frame rates, and reduced depth of focus, particularly when using Near Infrared (NIR) fluorescent dyes, which hinder accurate visualization and detection of cancer cells and tissue perfusion during surgery, requiring surgeons to divert attention from the surgical site to a monitor for image interpretation.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence imaging device that projects fluorescence images directly onto the surgical site and a monitor, utilizing a NIR laser to excite fluorescent dyes and a visible laser to indicate their presence, enhancing sensitivity, frame rates, and depth of focus, allowing for real-time, three-dimensional visualization of fluorophore distribution and properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescent imaging systems use NIR fluorescent dyes to detect cancer cells and tissue perfusion, then the detection capability and imaging depth are improved, but the sensitivity is reduced and video frame rates are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from direct monitor viewing to projecting fluorescent images directly onto the surgical field, adding a spatial dimension to image display. This allows surgeons to view fluorescent images in the same physical space as the surgical site, eliminating the need to shift attention between monitor and surgical field, thereby maintaining surgical precision while improving cancer cell detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a projection system as an intermediary between the fluorescent imaging system and the surgeon's view. The projector acts as a mediator that transfers fluorescent image information directly onto the surgical field, enabling simultaneous viewing of both the surgical site and fluorescent signals without requiring the surgeon to divert attention to a separate monitor
2Measurement precision
If surgeons view fluorescent images on a monitor, then image interpretation accuracy is improved, but attention must be diverted from the surgical site reducing surgical precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluorescent image display with the surgical field by projecting images directly onto the tissue. This combines the diagnostic information (fluorescent images) and the surgical workspace into a single spatial location, allowing surgeons to interpret images accurately while maintaining continuous visual contact with the surgical site, thereby preserving both image interpretation accuracy and surgical precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the display dimension from a separate 2D monitor to a projected display integrated into the 3D surgical field. This spatial integration allows surgeons to view fluorescent images in the context of the actual surgical anatomy, improving interpretation accuracy while eliminating the need to shift attention away from the surgical site
3Device complexity
If conventional fluorescent cameras are used to detect fluorescence, then the imaging system is simple, but the depth of focus is reduced and sensitivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the projection dimension to the conventional fluorescent imaging system. By projecting the captured fluorescent images directly onto the surgical field, the system extends its functional reach without complicating the core imaging mechanism. This maintains system simplicity while enhancing depth of focus and detection capability through the added projection function
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
Enables surgeons to visualize and remove cancer cells and ensure appropriate blood flow during surgery without diverting attention from the surgical site, improving surgical precision and accuracy by providing enhanced, real-time, three-dimensional imaging of fluorescence.
Implementation Method 1
A fluorescence imaging device projects fluorescence images directly onto a surgical site and a monitor, utilizing a NIR laser to excite fluorescent dyes
Implementation Method 2
a visible laser to indicate their presence, enhancing sensitivity, frame rates, and depth of focus
Data Source
AI summary
A fluorescence imaging device detects fluorescence in parts of the visible and invisible spectrum, and projects the fluorescence image directly on the human body, as well as on a monitor, with improved sensitivity, video frame rate and depth of focus, and enhanced capabilities of detecting distribution and properties of multiple fluorophores. Direct projection of three-dimensional visible representations of florescence on three-dimensional body areas advantageously permits viewing of it during surgical procedures, including during cancer removal, reconstructive surgery and wound care, etc. A NIR laser and a human visible laser (HVL) are aligned coaxially and scanned over the operating field of view. When the NIR laser passes over the area where the florescent dye is present, it energizes the dye which emits at a shifted NIR frequency detected by a photo diode. The HVL is turned on when emission is detected, providing visual indication of those positions.