Patient-Specific Threshold Cancer Cell Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cancer surgery techniques often fail to completely remove residual cancer cells, leading to secondary surgeries and increased cancer recurrence due to the time-intensive and non-specific nature of post-operative pathology assessments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for in situ observation of residual cancer cells using a medical imaging device and image analysis system that calculates a patient-specific threshold to detect abnormal cells in real-time during surgery, enabling precise identification and removal of cancerous tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional post-operative pathology assessment is used to detect residual cancer cells, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but surgical time and productivity are worsened due to the time-intensive nature of the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing cancer cell detection during the surgical procedure itself rather than waiting for post-operative pathology assessment. The fluorescence imaging system is used intraoperatively to identify residual cancer cells in real-time, allowing the surgeon to address any positive margins during the same surgical session, thereby eliminating the delay and improving both detection accuracy and surgical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pathology assessment system with a fluorescence-based imaging system. Instead of relying on histological examination of tissue sections, the system uses fluorescent imaging agents that bind to cancer cells and are detected by fluorescence imaging devices, enabling real-time, in-situ visualization of residual cancer cells during surgery.
2Device complexity
If a fixed threshold is used for detecting abnormal cells in images, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision is worsened due to inability to account for patient-specific variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed threshold system to a dynamic, patient-specific threshold system. The image analysis system automatically calculates a threshold for each patient based on their specific imaging characteristics and tissue properties, allowing the detection criteria to adapt to individual variations in fluorescence signal intensity, tissue optics, and imaging parameters, thereby improving detection accuracy without requiring overly complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
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 reduces the need for follow-up surgeries by providing real-time feedback on the location and size of residual cancer cells, ensuring complete removal during the initial surgery and minimizing recurrence.
Implementation Method 1
there exists an imaging technology that includes a probe that fluoresces upon activation by a target cell
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments related to methods of use of an image analysis system for identifying residual cancer cells after surgery are disclosed. In some embodiments, a patient-specific threshold used to detect abnormal cells in a surgical site can be determined. A medical imaging device can be configured to produce a set of images of an anatomy of a patient. An image analysis system, comprising one or more processors, can be configured to receive the set of images, and analyze the set of images to determine a patient-specific threshold to use to detect abnormal tissue of the patient.