REIMS Tissue Analysis for Precise Brain Tumor Margin Identification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing tissue, particularly in brain tumor resections, face challenges in accurately distinguishing cancerous tissue from healthy tissue and determining tumor margins during surgical procedures, leading to potential damage to vital functions and incomplete removal of cancerous tissue.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the acquisition of physical non-mass spectrometric data from tissue using sensors to identify regions of interest, followed by the generation of aerosol or vapor using an ambient ionization source, which is then ionized and analyzed using mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry for real-time cancerous tissue identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional surgical methods are used for tissue analysis, then surgical procedures can be performed, but accurate identification of cancerous tissue and determination of tumor margins is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ambient ionization mass spectrometry system as an intermediary tool that provides real-time molecular fingerprinting of tissue. The mass spectrometer acts as a mediator between the surgeon and the tissue, enabling accurate identification of cancerous tissue through chemical composition analysis rather than relying solely on visual or tactile assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical surgical methods with a combination of ambient ionization technology and mass spectrometry. Instead of relying on mechanical cutting and visual inspection, the system uses electromagnetic fields to ionize and analyze tissue molecules, providing precise chemical identification of tumor margins.
2Reliability
If aggressive resection is performed to ensure complete removal of cancerous tissue, then cancerous tissue removal is improved, but healthy tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback through continuous mass spectrometric analysis during surgery. The system provides immediate chemical feedback about tissue composition, allowing the surgeon to adjust resection boundaries dynamically. This feedback loop enables precise differentiation between cancerous and healthy tissue, minimizing healthy tissue removal while ensuring complete cancerous tissue excision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the diagnostic parameter from visual/tactile assessment to molecular composition analysis. By measuring chemical parameters such as lipid profiles and protein markers through mass spectrometry, the system can precisely identify tumor margins and guide resection to remove only cancerous tissue while preserving healthy tissue.
3Measurement precision
If ambient ionization mass spectrometry is implemented for real-time tissue analysis, then tissue identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of mass spectrometry (molecular fingerprinting) and integrates it with ambient ionization technology. By removing unnecessary components and focusing on the core analytical capability, the system achieves high tissue identification accuracy while reducing overall device complexity compared to conventional mass spectrometry systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system where the ambient ionization mass spectrometer serves multiple purposes: real-time tissue identification, tumor margin determination, and surgical guidance. This universal tool replaces multiple separate diagnostic instruments, reducing the overall complexity of the surgical system while maintaining high analytical precision.
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 identification of cancerous tissue and precise determination of tumor margins, ensuring minimal removal of healthy tissue while ensuring complete removal of cancerous tissue, thereby improving surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
Rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry ('REIMS') is a relatively new technique that is useful for the analysis of many different types of samples including the identification of tissue.
Implementation Method 2
The RF voltage which is applied to the electrosurgical forceps has the result of rapidly heating the particular portion of the bacterial colony which is being analysed due to its nonzero impedance.
Implementation Method 3
mass analysis by a mass analyser such as a quadrupole mass analyser or a Time of Flight mass analyser
Implementation Method 4
ion mobility analysis (IMS) and/or differential ion mobility analysis (DMA) and/or Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed comprising obtaining physical or other non-mass spectrometric data from one or more regions of a target using a probe. The physical or other non-mass spectrometric data may be used to determine one or more regions of interest of the target. An ambient ionisation ion source may then used to generate an aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of the target.