Handheld OCT Probe with Sterilizable Tip and Drape Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handheld Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) systems are limited by instability, inability to perform Doppler OCT scanning, and unsuitability for surgical environments due to non-sterilizable components and large probe sizes, which restrict their use in neurosurgical procedures and other surgical settings.
Innovation Solution
A handheld OCT device with a removable, sterilizable, and biocompatible tip that includes a window and lens system, capable of polarized and Doppler OCT scanning, and configured for use with surgical access ports, allowing for stable imaging in surgical environments by attaching a surgical drape that extends over the device and cables to the OCT analyzing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If handheld OCT systems are designed for portability and ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but stability deteriorates making Doppler OCT scanning impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a stable base unit containing the OCT scanning device and a handheld probe unit. The probe includes a stabilization mechanism with a contact surface that rests on the patient's skin or surgical drape, creating a stable triangular support structure with the patient's body. This segmentation allows the base unit to remain stable while the probe is handheld.
Solution Approach 2:
A surgical drape or stabilization contact surface acts as an intermediary between the handheld probe and the patient's body. This intermediary provides a stable reference surface for the probe to rest against, enabling stable imaging without requiring direct contact with sterile surgical sites or patient tissue.
2Stability of the object's composition
If OCT probes are made larger to provide stable imaging, then stability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates preventing insertion into surgical access ports
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is segmented into a long, thin distal section for insertion into surgical access ports and a proximal section containing the OCT scanning components. This allows the probe to be thin enough for minimally invasive insertion while maintaining sufficient length and stability for imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe design transitions from a traditional lateral stabilization approach to a longitudinal stabilization approach. The probe stabilizes along its length by resting against the surgical drape or tissue surface, rather than requiring lateral support, enabling insertion through narrow access ports while maintaining imaging stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If handheld OCT devices are designed for general use, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to sterilize components for surgical environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into sterilizable components (probe, surgical drape) and non-sterilizable components (base unit, cables, analyzing system). The probe and drape can be autoclaved or chemically sterilized for surgical use, while the electronics-heavy base unit remains outside the sterile field, connected via sterile barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
A removable sterilizable barrier or drape acts as an intermediary between the non-sterile base unit and the sterile surgical field. This barrier allows the electronics to remain outside the sterile environment while still enabling surgical imaging through the drape material.
4Stability of the object's composition
If tissue is removed from patient for OCT scanning to achieve stable imaging, then stability is improved, but harmful factors increase causing severe damage to patient
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical drape acts as an intermediary stabilization surface, allowing the probe to rest on the drape rather than requiring tissue removal or direct tissue manipulation for stability. This eliminates the harmful effect of tissue removal while maintaining imaging stability through the drape interface.
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 minimally invasive, image-guided medical procedures with reduced trauma to brain tissue by providing stable and sterilizable OCT imaging capabilities suitable for neurosurgical and other surgical environments, allowing for precise tumor resection and reduced tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) enables imaging of tissue to depths of typically 1-2 mm due to the light absorption and scattering property of tissue
Implementation Method 2
the tip can include a window, lens system, and the like
Implementation Method 3
Some multi-contrast OCT systems can perform PS-OCT (polarization sensitive OCT) scanning to determine tissue organization. However, these systems either do not have the capability of imaging blood flow (e.g. using Doppler OCT scanning)
Implementation Method 4
Some multi-contrast OCT systems can perform PS-OCT (polarization sensitive OCT) scanning to determine tissue organization
Data Source
AI summary
An OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) handheld device is provided comprising: a housing configured for handheld OCT scanning during a surgical procedure, the housing comprising an OCT scanning end and a proximal end opposite the OCT scanning end; an OCT scanning device inside the housing, the OCT scanning device configured for one or more of OCT polarized scanning and Doppler OCT scanning from the OCT scanning end, the OCT scanning device further configured to receive and convey OCT light between the proximal end and an OCT analysing system; and a tip extending from the OCT scanning end, the tip being removably attached to the OCT scanning end, the tip configured to receive and collect the OCT light therethrough. The OCT handheld device is configured to be removably draped around the tip, for use in the surgical procedure.