Augmenting camera images with gamma detector data : A novel approach to support sentinel lymph node biopsy

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Oncology
• Augmented Reality

Background:

• Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a prevalent cancer with high morbidity.
• Current treatment involves extensive surgery, but only 30% of patients require lymph node removal.
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy offers a less invasive staging method to prevent overtreatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel approach for an augmented reality device to enhance sentinel lymph node biopsy.
• To improve the visual guidance during the biopsy procedure.

Main Methods:

• A co-calibration scheme for miniature cameras and gamma ray sensing devices was proposed.
• Experiments utilized a calibration target visible to both optical and gamma modalities.
• Axis-aligned miniature cameras with pinholes were integrated with a gamma ray collimating and sensing device.

Main Results:

• Augmentation of optical camera images with gamma information was achieved.
• Visual inspection and quantitative evaluation confirmed congruence with known gamma source landmarks.
• The integrated system demonstrated successful overlay of gamma data onto optical images.

Conclusions:

• Combining multi-pinhole collimators with miniature cameras to augment optical images using gamma detector data is a promising technique.
• This approach may be applicable to other cancers staged via sentinel lymph node biopsy, such as breast cancer and melanoma.
• The developed system has the potential to improve the accuracy and reduce invasiveness of cancer staging procedures.