Optical Probe Array for Prostate Cancer Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prostate cancer screening methods, such as transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies, suffer from low detection rates of aggressive prostate cancer, leading to overtreatment and missed diagnoses, with significant morbidity and cost implications due to sampling errors and inability to accurately determine histologic grade and stage.
Innovation Solution
An optical probe array system with multiple optical probes for illuminating and analyzing prostate tissue using fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, combined with imaging guidance systems like MRI or CT, to create 3D images and classify tissue types, enabling more accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies are used for prostate cancer screening, then the current standard of care can be maintained, but the detection rate of aggressive prostate cancer remains low at 25-30% with high false negative rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple diagnostic modalities (ultrasound imaging, optical spectroscopy, and fluorescence detection) into an integrated biopsy system. This merging of techniques allows simultaneous anatomical localization and molecular characterization of prostate tissue, improving detection accuracy while reducing false negatives by cross-validating findings across different measurement methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical spectroscopy and fluorescence imaging as intermediary diagnostic tools between traditional ultrasound-guided biopsy and final pathological diagnosis. These intermediary techniques provide real-time molecular information about tissue characteristics, enabling better identification of aggressive cancer lesions before traditional histological examination.
2Measurement precision
If aggressive screening procedures are used to detect more prostate cancer cases, then earlier stage detection is improved, but overtreatment increases with significant morbidity and cost escalations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality analysis by using optical spectroscopy and fluorescence imaging to characterize specific regions of prostate tissue at the microscopic level. This allows differentiation between aggressive and non-aggressive cancer lesions based on local molecular and structural properties, enabling precise staging and avoiding overtreatment of indolent diseases while maintaining detection of clinically significant cancers.
3Loss of information
If traditional biopsy methods are used, then the current diagnostic workflow can be maintained, but accurate information regarding histologic grade and stage of the disease is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical probe to perform multiple diagnostic functions simultaneously - ultrasound imaging for anatomical localization, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for tissue composition analysis, and fluorescence imaging for molecular marker detection. This multi-functionality provides comprehensive histologic information (grade and stage) from a single integrated procedure, reducing information loss without proportionally increasing system complexity.
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 improves the detection and staging of prostate cancer, reduces overtreatment by identifying aggressive disease, and allows for personalized therapy, minimizing side effects and costs by directing treatment to specific cancer locations within the prostate.
Implementation Method 1
An optical probe array has at least two or more optical probes for illuminating the tissue and generates light signals corresponding to the illuminated tissue fluorescence
Implementation Method 2
generates light signals corresponding to the illuminated tissue diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and storage device storing computer executable instructions for use in tissue analysis and therapy. An optical probe array has at least two or more optical probes for illuminating tissue and generates light fluorescence and/or diffuse reflectance signals corresponding to the illuminated tissue. One or more ultrasound, CT and MRI imaging guidance systems identify the position of the optical probes relative to the tissue. The imaging guidance system can also be a fusion of an MRI or CT image provided by the MRI or CT imaging guidance system and an ultrasound image provided by the ultrasound imaging guidance system. An imaging system generates a three-dimensional image of the tissue based on the generated light signals and the identified position of the optical probes.