Cancer Detection in Human Tissue Samples Using a Fiber-Tip pH Probe.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Oncology
• Optical Diagnostics

Background:

• Accurate intraoperative tumor margin detection remains a significant challenge in cancer surgery.
• Current methods for tissue analysis during surgery are often slow, compromise tissue integrity, or are limited to excised samples.
• Differentiating between cancerous and healthy tissue is crucial to prevent incomplete resection or excessive removal of healthy tissue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an optical fiber probe for rapid and accurate intraoperative detection of tumorous tissue.
• To provide surgeons with a tool for real-time margin assessment during cancer surgery.
• To overcome limitations of existing tissue analysis methods in the operating room.

Main Methods:

• Development of an optical fiber probe with a fluorophore-doped polymer coating to measure pH.
• Utilizing emission spectra changes from the dye to determine tissue pH.
• Implementation of a novel lift-and-measure technique to mitigate autofluorescence interference in biological samples.

Main Results:

• The optical fiber probe successfully measures tissue pH by monitoring fluorescence emission spectra.
• The lift-and-measure technique effectively eliminates interference from biological autofluorescence.
• The probe allows for quick and accurate differentiation of tissue types based on pH values.

Conclusions:

• The developed optical fiber probe shows significant potential as an aid for intraoperative margin detection in cancer surgery.
• The probe's design is adaptable to a portable, low-cost configuration suitable for operating theaters.
• This technology could enhance surgical success rates by improving the accuracy of tumor removal for both excised and in vivo tissues.