Optical Probe Tissue Classification via Intersecting Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical techniques for tissue classification in medical procedures, such as breast cancer surgery, face challenges in accurately distinguishing between tissue types in real-time, leading to a significant percentage of positive margins that require additional surgery or radiotherapy due to poorly defined tumor margins and lack of accurate guidance.
Innovation Solution
A system with an optical probe and spectral measurement system that uses multiple intersecting optical paths to generate spectral measurement data, comparing tissue signals with reference thresholds and averages to identify tissue types, reducing false negatives and improving correlation between measurements, thereby enhancing tissue classification accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple intersecting optical paths are used for tissue classification, then measurement accuracy and tissue identification reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical probe is segmented into multiple optical fibers (at least three) arranged in a specific geometric configuration. Each fiber contributes to defining intersecting optical paths within the tissue, allowing the system to sample multiple regions and improve measurement accuracy through spatial distribution of measurement points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-point or linear optical measurements to three-dimensional intersecting optical paths within the tissue. By arranging optical fibers in a geometric configuration that creates intersecting paths, the system adds spatial dimensions to the measurement, enabling more comprehensive tissue characterization and improved classification accuracy.
2Reliability
If repeated probe positioning is performed to ensure accurate tissue classification, then measurement reliability improves, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical probe is pre-configured with multiple fibers in a specific geometric arrangement before the surgical procedure. This preliminary configuration ensures that intersecting optical paths are automatically established when the probe is positioned on the tissue, eliminating the need for repeated positioning adjustments and multiple separate measurements during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical measurement functions are merged into a single probe positioning event. By integrating at least three optical fibers that create intersecting paths, the system combines what would otherwise require multiple separate measurements into one simultaneous measurement process, reducing procedure time while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If traditional single optical path methods are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but blind spots in tissue coverage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue region is segmented into multiple sampling zones through the use of multiple optical fibers positioned at different locations and angles. Each fiber samples a different region or aspect of the tissue, ensuring comprehensive coverage and eliminating blind spots that would exist with a single optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds spatial dimensionality to tissue coverage by creating intersecting optical paths that penetrate and sample different depths and regions within the tissue. This multi-dimensional sampling approach ensures that no region is left uncovered, eliminating blind spots inherent in single-path methods.
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
The system provides improved tissue classification by reducing the need for repeated probe positioning and minimizing blind spots, leading to more accurate and specific identification of tissue types, thus ensuring adequate tissue removal during surgery and reducing the need for additional treatments.
Implementation Method 1
when the tissue region is in contact with the distal end of the optical probe a plurality of intersecting optical paths are defined within the tissue region between the at least one optical source and the at least one optical detector
Implementation Method 2
A document entitled 'Fat/water ratios measured with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, DRS, to detect breast tumor boundaries' by De Boer, L. L. et al.; Breast Cancer Res Treat (2015) 152:509-518
Data Source
AI summary
A system SY for determining a tissue type TY of a tissue region TR is provided in which the distal ends OFDE1..n of at least three optical fibers define a plurality of intersecting optical paths IOP1..k within the tissue region TR. A tissue signal Q1..k indicative of a tissue type TY for the respective optical path IOP1..k is generated from said spectral measurement data SMD corresponding to each of the plurality of intersecting optical paths IOP1..k. Each tissue signal Q1..k is compared with a reference threshold QRT for the tissue type, and with an average of the tissue signals QMA. At least a portion of the tissue region is identified as the tissue type TY if i) every tissue signal Q1..k in the tissue region TR indicates that its corresponding tissue is not the tissue type TY in the comparison with the reference threshold QRT and ii) at least one of the tissue signals Q1..k in the tissue region TR lies between the average QMA of the tissue signals Q1..k and the reference threshold QRT, and a difference Δ between the at least one tissue signal Q1..k and the average QMA of the tissue signals Q1..k exceeds a predetermined value ΔP.