Fluorescent Probe Targeting for Pulmonary Lesion Delineation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic technologies face challenges in accurately identifying and localizing small and peripheral pulmonary lesions during bronchoscopy due to limitations in accessing and visualizing lesions beyond subsegmental bronchi, particularly in lung cancer diagnosis, where existing methods like virtual bronchoscopy and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy fail to provide clear definitions or delineation of lesions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a compound with a targeting moiety and a fluorescence imaging agent is administered to the subject, allowing distribution within biological tissue, guiding a flexible probe to the intervention site, and illuminating the tissue to detect optical signals, enhancing navigation and visualization of lesions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If flexible bronchoscopy is used to assess pulmonary tissue, then non-invasive diagnostic capability is improved, but ability to access small and peripheral lesions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by administering fluorescent compounds to the patient before the bronchoscopy procedure. These compounds are allowed to distribute within the biological tissue and bind to target lesions in advance, so that when the flexible probe arrives, the lesions are already marked with fluorescent signals, enabling immediate detection without requiring the probe to physically access or manipulate the difficult-to-reach areas.
2Area of stationary object
If virtual bronchoscopy is used to investigate pulmonary lesions, then visualization of lesions beyond subsegmental bronchi is improved, but clear definition and delineation of lesions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes color changes by employing fluorescent compounds that emit specific wavelengths of light when excited. The fluorescent probe emits light at a different wavelength than the excitation source, creating a distinct visual signal that highlights the lesion's boundaries and characteristics. This optical property transformation enables clear definition and delineation of lesions that appear indistinct in conventional imaging.
3Loss of information
If electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy is used to navigate to target tissue, then localization capability is improved, but clear definition and delineation of lesions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary approach by using fluorescent compounds as a mediator between the electromagnetic navigation system and the actual lesion visualization. The fluorescent probe binds to the target lesion and serves as an optical intermediary that translates the electromagnetic navigation guidance into direct visual confirmation, providing clear definition and delineation that electromagnetic navigation alone cannot achieve.
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 enables precise localization and delineation of pulmonary lesions, improving diagnostic accuracy and intervention capabilities, particularly for small and peripheral lesions, and can be applied to various tissues beyond lung cancer.
Implementation Method 1
the compound comprises a targeting moiety and a fluorescence imaging agent
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to method of performing an interventional procedure using flexible probes with a compound or a composition comprising the compound, wherein the compound comprises a targeting moiety, wherein the targeting moiety targets a receptor, antigen, or antibody and a fluorescence imaging agent.