Apparatus and method for assessment of interstitial tissue
Inventors
Iftimia, Nicusor V. • Chang, Whanwook
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11109759-B2
Publication Date
2021-09-07
Expiration Date
2035-07-09
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Abstract
A handheld optical coherence tomography imaging and tissue sampling system and method of imaging and sampling a tissue is disclosed. The method includes inserting a catheter probe into a biopsy needle. The biopsy needle can be attached to a hand-held scanning and sampling device. The biopsy needle is maneuvered to an investigation site. A three-dimensional image of the tissue at the investigation site is captured with the catheter probe.
Core Innovation
The invention discloses a hand-held optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and tissue sampling system, and a method for imaging and sampling tissue. The method involves inserting an optical probe into a biopsy needle, maneuvering the needle to a target investigation site within interstitial tissue, and capturing high-resolution, three-dimensional OCT images of the tissue using the probe. The system employs a position sensor and an optical scale to detect incremental movements of the probe relative to the needle, triggering image acquisition only upon movement exceeding a set threshold.
The problem addressed centers on the difficulty of obtaining high-resolution OCT images in interstitial tissues due to nonlinearity in manual probe movement, tissue friction, and potential tissue morbidity from high-speed or rotary scanning engines. Previous attempts using protective tubes or computational algorithms for motion correction either increased probe size beyond usable limits or were too computationally intensive for real-time imaging. As a result, there remained a need for a minimally invasive system that could provide high-fidelity OCT imaging in interstitial tissue while correcting for scan nonlinearity and minimizing tissue disturbance.
The core innovation integrates a position-sensing mechanism with an OCT imaging probe inside a biopsy needle, enabling image acquisition only when the probe is moved by more than a predetermined distance. The processor stores only non-redundant A-line data, discarding duplicate images, and compiles a cross-sectional or tomographic OCT dataset that accurately maps the tissue along the probe’s trajectory. The system also allows optional integration of fluorescence or spectroscopy units for multiparametric tissue assessment, with images co-registered in real-time.
Claims Coverage
There are two independent claims in the patent—each specifying an inventive system for OCT imaging and tissue assessment with several unique features.
Hand-held OCT imaging system with position-synchronized image capture
A system comprising: - An optical probe movable within a guidance needle, configured for insertion into the sample. - An optical scale on the probe and a position sensor relative to the scale, detecting linear movement of the probe within the needle exceeding a set threshold. - Automated trigger generation upon movement to record an OCT A-line after each incremental movement exceeding the threshold. - A processing unit that stores acquired OCT A-lines and constructs a cross-sectional OCT image by appending data corresponding to distinct probe positions.
Image redundancy elimination for high-fidelity OCT images
A system in which: - The processor tests whether sequentially captured OCT A-lines are repeats by checking for substantial identity. - Redundant A-lines are discarded, so only unique, position-specific A-lines are appended to form the image dataset. - The process enables accurate, artifact-minimized cross-sectional OCT image formation even when probe movement within tissue is nonlinear or non-uniform.
The inventive features comprise a hand-held OCT imaging apparatus with a position-synchronized acquisition protocol, incorporating redundancy elimination and accurate cross-sectional image assembly. The system leverages movement detection, selective data capture, and real-time processing to address challenges in interstitial tissue OCT imaging.
Stated Advantages
Enables high-resolution OCT imaging of interstitial tissue by correcting for nonlinearity of manual scans and compensating for distortion caused by tissue noncompliance.
Provides minimally invasive OCT imaging with reduced tissue disruption, as operator-controlled probe movement minimizes trauma.
Eliminates the need for high-speed rotation or axial probe movement for high-fidelity imaging, permitting the use of low-cost disposable probes.
Allows tissue mapping over longer distances within the tissue, since a scanning engine is not required and the probe can be manually advanced.
Captures high-resolution OCT images independent of scanning speed, accommodating both rapid and slow manual probe movements.
Facilitates integration and synchronized acquisition of fluorescence or spectroscopy imaging data with the OCT image by eliminating high-speed movement requirements.
Enables easy repetition of imaging or biopsy guidance procedures, as the probe can be repositioned multiple times without removal.
Documented Applications
High-resolution three-dimensional imaging of interstitial tissue for assessment in organs such as kidney, heart, lungs, liver, and pancreas.
Minimally invasive real-time imaging and mapping of tissue along the trajectory of a biopsy needle for guidance in biopsy procedures.
Multi-modal imaging for enhanced tissue differentiation using spatially co-registered OCT, fluorescence, or spectroscopy data in interventional settings.
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