Optical Pathology Imaging System for Real-Time Cancer Margin Delineation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for intraoperative cancer detection and margin control during surgery are inadequate, leading to high recurrence rates and increased treatment costs due to the lack of real-time assessment capabilities, with existing techniques like Mohs surgery being expensive and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The use of biological markers and safe dyes such as tetracycline, methylene blue, and toluidine blue, combined with optical imaging systems for in vivo fluorescence and polarization imaging, allowing for real-time detection and delineation of cancerous tissues during surgery, mimicking the histological evaluation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard H&E histopathology processing is used, then accurate cancer detection is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and cannot provide real-time intraoperative assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tissue processing system (freezing, cutting, staining) with an optical imaging system that uses fluorescent dyes and polarization microscopy to directly visualize cancer cells in real-time during surgery, eliminating the need for time-consuming histopathology processing while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameters from traditional light microscopy with H&E staining to fluorescence microscopy with specific wavelength excitation and polarization detection, enabling real-time imaging while maintaining cancer cell identification capability
2Reliability
If Mohs micrographic surgery is used for complete margin control, then cancer removal success rate is improved, but the procedure becomes expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sectioning and microscopic examination process of Mohs surgery with an optical imaging system that uses fluorescent dyes and polarization microscopy to provide real-time margin assessment, achieving comparable reliability without the time consumption of traditional Mohs technique
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy or image of the tissue structure using fluorescence and polarization signals, allowing real-time visualization of cancer margins without physically sectioning and preparing traditional histological slides, thus reducing surgery time while maintaining assessment accuracy
3Measurement precision
If postoperative histopathological analysis is performed, then cancer detection is accurate, but the wound must be reopened for re-excision if cancer is found, increasing cost and patient stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs cancer detection and margin assessment in advance during the initial surgery using real-time optical imaging, allowing the surgeon to immediately identify and remove cancerous tissue with clear margin control, eliminating the need for subsequent re-excision procedures and reducing overall treatment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides real-time feedback during surgery through optical imaging that immediately shows cancer presence and margin status, enabling the surgeon to adjust the excision procedure on-the-spot and avoid the need for postoperative re-excision, thus simplifying the overall treatment pathway
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 and rapid intraoperative detection of cancerous tissues and margins, reducing the need for postoperative re-excision procedures, lowering treatment costs, and providing a cost-effective method for real-time examination of cancerous tissues.
Implementation Method 1
utilize at least one biological marker or agent that spectrally enhances a tissue component being measured, a plurality of dyes or stains that are delivered to a region of tissue of a patient undergoing surgery
Implementation Method 2
optical imaging systems for in vivo fluorescence and polarization imaging
Data Source
AI summary
Currently most cancers, including breast cancers, are removed without any intraoperative margin control. Post-operative methods inspect 1-2% of the surgical margin and are prone to sampling errors. The present invention relates to an optical imaging system that will enable evaluation of the surgical margin in vivo and in real-time. The invention provides for simultaneous fluorescence and fluorescence polarization imaging. The contrast of the acquired images will be enhanced using fluorescent agents approved for diagnostic use in patients. As the staining pattern of fluorescence images is similar to that of histology, and the values of fluorescence polarization are significantly higher in cancerous as compared to normal cells, the invention provides for further improvements in diagnostic methods. The systems and methods can be applied to the intra-operative delineation of cancerous tissue.