Optical Applicator for Intraoperative Tumor Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light therapy methods for cancer treatment lack an effective intraoperative system for detecting and imaging cancerous cells, which hinders precise tumor removal and residual tissue identification during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An optical light delivery system comprising an excitation light source, source emitters, detector fibers, and a microprocessor that produces images from fluorescence light, allowing for the detection and imaging of cancerous cells by administering a photosensitizing drug and using an excitation light source to induce fluorescence, which is then collected and processed to create digital images for real-time tissue assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light therapy is used for cancer treatment, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but intraoperative detection and imaging capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The optical light delivery system is designed to perform multiple functions: delivering therapeutic light for photodynamic therapy and simultaneously detecting fluorescence for intraoperative imaging and cancer cell detection. The same optical applicator with source emitters and detector fibers serves both treatment and diagnostic purposes, eliminating the need for separate detection equipment during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fluorescence imaging as an intermediary mechanism to bridge therapy and detection. A photosensitizing drug is administered that accumulates in cancer cells, and when excited by the light source, it emits fluorescence that is detected by the detector fibers. This fluorescent signal serves as a mediator that makes cancerous tissue visible during surgery without interfering with the therapeutic light delivery.
2Productivity
If traditional light therapy equipment is used, then treatment is delivered, but real-time tissue assessment capability is absent
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous real-time assessment during the entire surgical procedure. The detector fibers continuously monitor fluorescence emissions as the optical applicator is moved or as the surgery progresses, providing ongoing feedback about tissue characteristics without interrupting the treatment workflow or requiring separate assessment steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate visual feedback through processed images that show the distribution and concentration of photosensitizing drug in real-time. This feedback loop allows the surgeon to assess tissue characteristics, identify cancer margins, and make informed decisions during the procedure based on the fluorescent signal intensity and spatial distribution.
3Measurement precision
If photosensitizing drug is administered, then fluorescence detection is enabled, but precise tumor boundary identification is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The optical applicator employs multiple detector fibers arranged in an array, each detecting fluorescence from a specific spatial location. This segmented detection approach allows the system to build up a spatial map of fluorescence intensity across the tissue surface, enabling precise identification of tumor boundaries by analyzing the spatial distribution pattern of the fluorescent signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from point-based fluorescence detection to two-dimensional spatial mapping by using an array of detector fibers. This dimensional transformation allows the visualization of tumor boundaries as spatial contours on the tissue surface, providing precise boundary identification through image processing of the multi-point detection data.
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 precise detection and imaging of cancerous tissue during surgery, facilitating targeted resection and subsequent treatment, ensuring complete removal of abnormal tissue while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a photosensitizing drug and at least a portion of the area of tissue includes a plurality of cancerous cells, and where the excitation light is configured interact with the photosensitizing drug to cause the plurality of cancerous cells to produce the fluorescence light
Data Source
AI summary
An interoperative light therapy apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes an excitation light source, a plurality of light emitting devices and a plurality of light detecting fibers, wherein the plurality of light emitting devices produce a fluorescence light in cancerous cells of a patient treated with a photosensitizing medication. The fluorescence light is collected by the plurality of detector fibers and a digital spatial image of the cancerous cells is produced. The digital spatial image is useful for targeting the cancerous cells in a subsequent resection procedure. An interoperative light therapy apparatus is disclosed that further include a therapy light source that can deliver therapy light to the cancerous cells using the digital spatial image in the subsequent resection procedure.