Abstract
Real-Time, Interventional Guidance for Tumor Detection and Excision
JHU REF: C12934
Invention Novelty: A novel optical method for the identification and differentiation of tumor versus non-tumor tissue with direct visual cue for use in real-time, continuous and noninvasive guidance for tumor excision.
Value Proposition: Approximately 13,000 brain cancer surgeries are performed in the US each year, with surgery being the first-line therapy for brain cancer. Evidence has indicated that the extent of tumor resection is the only modifiable risk factor associated with survival and cancer recurrence. In an attempt to improve the accuracy of total tumor resection and prevent recurrence, reoperation, and potential collateral damage to healthy eloquent brain tissue, this technology uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) to quantitatively identify and differentiate tumor from non-tumor brain tissue. Although it is a relatively new imaging modality, OCT is fast gaining popularity and has established applications in oncology, neurosurgery, and endoscopy. OCT is used to identify the optical properties of various tissue types, differentiate the tissue in real time, provide a color-coded map of the image, and assist physicians in excising tumors. The advantages of this technology are:
- It can be customized and used on tumors of various origins (different organ systems) in addition to brain tumor
- Generates a color-coded map of the tissue, clearly differentiating tumor from non-tumor tissue
- Differentiates vital blood vessels and ventricles, reducing the incidence of vessel injury during surgery
- Minimize the risk of resection healthy particularly eloquent brain tissues and thus minimize the risk of functional morbidity caused by surgery.
Technical Details: Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a novel optical-based system that can quantitatively differentiate tumor from non-tumor tissue based on optical attenuation values of the tissue. By performing multiple scans and custom algorithms, the system can be standardized to the tissue system of choice, thus enabling the use of the system on different organ systems. The optical properties are used to generate a 2D color-coded map of the tissue, which is lain over the image of the tissue. The system can produce maps in real-time, thus enabling interventional guidance during tumor excision procedures.
Looking for Partners: To develop and commercialize the technology as a tumor diagnosis and differentiation technique for use in interventional procedures and surgeries.
Stage of Development: Phase 0 Clinical Students (with more than 30 patients imaged during brain cancer surgery).
Data Availability: Under CDA/NDA
Patent Status: Pending
Publication(s)/Associated Cases: Not at this time
Categories: Cancer Detection and Differentiation
Keywords: Quantitative Optical Coherence Tomography, cancer detection, tumor margin differentiation, optical map
