Unmet Need:
The demarcation between target tissue to be removed, and healthy tissue to leave intact, is critical to the success of any surgical procedure. These operations are often performed using high-resolution imaging, including MRI or CT scans. Such methods provide a priori information to clinicians; however, these methods yield limited information in fast-paced practices, including emergency and trauma medicine. To address the need for rapid and detailed medical imaging, researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a dual-spectrum photoacoustic imaging technology for real-time super-resolution imaging for guided surgeries. This medical imaging technology can differentiate unique tissue components, demarcating diseased target tissue from healthy tissue and/or organ substructures.
Value Proposition:
· Generates images of quality superior to current ultrasound techniques with high sensitivity and specificity.
· Allows clinicians to differentiate tissue constituents during operations by scanning with only two laser wavelengths, rather than a range of spectra used by existing methods, to improve real-time framerate without sacrificing sensitivity or image quality.
· Provides essential decision-making information in emergency medicine, intensive care, and guided surgeries.
· Serves as mapping technology for autonomously directed surgical instruments, reducing the risk of future obsolescence.
Technology Description:
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a dual-spectrum photoacoustic imaging and analysis technology that enables rapid acquisition of high-resolution images in superficial and deep tissue. Lasers are used to excite and expand specific molecules in the body; this expansion leads to sound wave emissions which are subsequently detected via ultrasound. Using two spectra of lasers and a unique data unmixing algorithm, researchers demonstrated that two tissue components can be differentiated simultaneously, facilitating demarcation of different tissues or structures in real-time. One proposed use is to demarcate uterine arteries from ureters during guided hysterectomies, reducing common collateral injuries during these procedures.
Stage of Development:
· A working prototype has been developed. The device differentiates blood and contrast dye with dual-spectrum imaging for photoacoustic-guided hysterectomy procedures.
· Generation of a biomarker-laser spectra atlas to expand identifiable tissue constituents is ongoing.
· Optimization of image generation algorithms and neural network integration to improve real-time application is ongoing.
· Looking for partners to commercialize the technology for use in image-guided procedures.
Data Availability:
Data available upon request.
Publication:
Gonzalez, E.A., Graham C.A., and Bell M.A.L. Acoustic Frequency-Based Approach for Identification of Photoacoustic Surgical Biomarkers. Frontiers in Photonics, 2021. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphot.2021.716656/full.
