Rigid Fluorescence Imaging Tip for Intraoperative Residual Tumor Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging technologies struggle to reliably detect millimeter to submillimeter residual cancer cells during surgery, leading to incomplete tumor resections and increased risk of local recurrence and metastasis.
Innovation Solution
A handheld medical imaging device with a rigid imaging tip and photosensitive detector, capable of illuminating with specific wavelengths to generate fluorescence signals from imaging agents, and distinguishing these signals from autofluorescence, allowing real-time detection of abnormal tissues with high resolution and minimal sensitivity to patient movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional pathology sampling is used to detect residual cancer cells, then the detection process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision is insufficient due to sampling errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pathology sampling with optical fluorescence imaging. The handheld device uses optical fields (excitation light at 405nm and fluorescence emission detection) to detect residual cancer cells, eliminating the need for physical tissue sampling and microscopic examination. This substitution of optical detection for mechanical sampling achieves continuous full-field imaging with superior precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from visual inspection of stained sections to fluorescence signal intensity measurement. By monitoring fluorescence intensity thresholds and ratios, the system objectively quantifies residual cancer cell presence, providing more precise and reproducible detection compared to subjective visual pathology assessment.
2Reliability
If final histopathology is performed on the entire resection, then comprehensive analysis is achieved, but the loss of time is excessive as results take days to return
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary fluorescence imaging detection during the surgical procedure itself, before the patient leaves the operating room. The handheld device enables real-time intraoperative assessment of residual cancer cells, allowing immediate feedback to the surgeon. This preliminary action eliminates the need to wait days for final histopathology results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the time-consuming intermediate steps of tissue processing, staining, and laboratory analysis by using direct fluorescence imaging. The imaging agent already bound to cancer cells emits fluorescence upon light exposure, providing instant detection without requiring the lengthy histopathology workflow.
3Reliability
If additional resection is performed to ensure complete tumor removal, then the reliability of complete resection is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to damage to vital structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback during surgery by enabling the surgeon to immediately visualize residual cancer cells through fluorescence imaging. The handheld device provides continuous feedback on the completeness of resection, allowing the surgeon to stop when clean margins are achieved. This prevents unnecessary additional resection that could damage vital structures while ensuring complete tumor removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic intraoperative adjustment of the resection boundary based on real-time fluorescence imaging feedback. The surgeon can dynamically modify the resection extent to precisely match the fluorescently marked tumor margins, avoiding both incomplete resection and excessive removal of healthy tissue near vital structures.
4Reliability
If second surgery is performed to remove residual cancer detected by pathology, then complete resection is achieved, but the loss of time and additional patient burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of residual cancer cells during the initial surgery using fluorescence imaging. By identifying and removing all fluorescently marked residual cells at the time of the primary resection, the need for subsequent second-look surgeries is eliminated, completing the treatment in a single procedure.
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 precise identification and localization of residual cancer cells, reducing the need for additional surgeries by ensuring complete tumor resection and minimizing damage to vital structures.
Implementation Method 1
providing a first light including a first excitation wavelength of a desired imaging agent to the surgical site; collecting a fluorescence signal emitted from the surgical site
Implementation Method 2
a photosensitive detector optically associated with the rigid imaging tip
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments related to medical imaging devices including rigid imaging tips and their methods of use for identifying abnormal tissue within a surgical bed are disclosed.