OCT Tissue Property Mapping for Real-Time Tumor Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging technologies in the operating room, such as pre-operative MRI and ultrasound, face challenges like positional errors, limited tissue contrast, and high costs, making them inadequate for real-time tumor detection and guidance during cancer surgery.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) or Low Coherence Interferometry (LCI) for real-time characterization of tissue optical properties, generating high-resolution, color-coded maps to differentiate tumor from non-tumor tissues, and integrating this data with Doppler information for precise surgical guidance, along with a system for tracking the imaging device and providing interventional capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pre-operative MRI is used for surgical navigation, then tumor location can be identified, but positional errors occur due to patient motions such as breathing and heartbeat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary registration of the OCT imaging system to the patient's anatomy before surgery begins. This establishes an accurate reference frame that can be maintained throughout the procedure, avoiding the need for continuous real-time registration that would be affected by patient motion during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical navigation systems based on pre-operative MRI with optical coherence tomography imaging. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical tracking and registration systems, providing direct optical imaging of tissue properties that is not affected by patient motion.
2Measurement precision
If intra-operative MRI is used, then resolution and accuracy are improved, but real-time continuous guidance is not provided and costs are extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive intra-operative MRI systems with optical coherence tomography imaging. OCT provides real-time imaging capability that is both affordable and capable of continuous guidance during surgery, eliminating the need for expensive MRI equipment in the operating room.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the imaging modality from magnetic resonance imaging to optical imaging. This parameter change enables real-time continuous imaging while reducing cost, as optical systems can be deployed in the operating room without requiring the expensive infrastructure of MRI systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If ultrasound is used for imaging, then portability and low cost are achieved, but tissue contrast and resolution are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultrasound imaging with optical coherence tomography. This substitution provides superior tissue contrast and resolution while maintaining the portability and cost-effectiveness of compact imaging systems that can be easily deployed in the operating room.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the imaging physics from acoustic waves to optical waves. This parameter change enables much finer resolution and better tissue contrast, as optical wavelengths provide superior discrimination of tissue microstructures compared to ultrasound wavelengths.
4Measurement precision
If fluorescence imaging is used, then tumor detection is possible, but heterogeneous uptake of contrast agents occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluorescence imaging with optical coherence tomography. This substitution eliminates the need for contrast agents entirely, as OCT directly images tissue microanatomy and optical properties without requiring exogenous agents, thereby avoiding heterogeneous uptake issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the tissue's own optical properties (scattering, absorption, reflection) as the imaging signal source. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external contrast agents, as the tissue itself provides the imaging information through its inherent optical characteristics.
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 accurate, real-time differentiation of tumor and non-tumor tissues with high sensitivity and specificity, facilitating safer and more extensive tumor resection while minimizing tissue damage and allowing for accurate histological correlations.
Implementation Method 1
optical properties derived from OCT or LCI images can be used to quantitatively analyze tissues
Implementation Method 2
optical property values (such as optical attenuation, backscattering, scattering and absorption)
Implementation Method 3
analyze the depth-dependent imaging data using exponential and Frequency-domain fitting methods
Implementation Method 4
analyze the depth-dependent imaging data using exponential and Frequency-domain fitting methods
Implementation Method 5
generating a quantitative, color-coded, and high-resolution optical property map
Implementation Method 6
algorithms optimized for tissue characterization including speckle, motion and blood artifact identification and minimization
Implementation Method 7
tracking the position and orientation of the imaging device, imaging beam and the imaging area on the target in real-time
Implementation Method 8
combining the OCT or LCI image with the overlaid optical property map and/or Doppler information to identify critical structures such as blood vessels
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a method for real-time characterization of spatially-resolved tissue optical properties using OCT/LCI. Imaging data are acquired, processed, displayed and stored in real-time. The resultant tissue optical properties are then used to determine the diagnostic threshold and to determine the OCT/LCI detection sensitivity and specificity. Color-coded optical property maps are constructed to provide direct visual cues for surgeons to differentiate tumor versus non-tumor tissue. These optical property maps can be overlaid with the structural imaging data and/or Doppler results for efficient data display. Finally, the imaging system can also be integrated with existing systems such as tracking and surgical microscopes. An aiming beam is generally provided for interventional guidance. For intraoperative use, a cap/spacer may also be provided to maintain the working distance of the probe, and also to provide biopsy capabilities. The method is usable for research and clinical diagnosis and/or interventional guidance.