Toward handheld optically guided biopsy combining diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and autofluorescence

We aim to validate the technologies essential for a handheld, optically guided biopsy device designed to enhance the diagnostic yield and accuracy of percutaneous liver biopsy procedures.

We aim to combine diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and autofluorescence (AF) spectroscopy in a fiber-optic needle probe using mini spectrometers for the classification of tumor and healthy tissues.

A fiber-optic needle probe combining DRS and AF spectroscopy, incorporating mini spectrometers to facilitate future integration into a biopsy actuator, was designed and built. This custom probe was used to measure healthy liver tissues and colorectal metastases in excised liver segments. A linear discriminant analysis was applied to the DRS and AF data to distinguish tumors from healthy tissues.

The miniaturized combined DRS and AF spectroscopy system could accurately distinguish tumors from healthy liver with a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 96% from a sample size of $N=10$ patients and 52 measurements.

We demonstrate the feasibility of miniaturizing a combined DRS and AF spectroscopy system for the classification of tumor and healthy tissues. This validation supports the feasibility and further development of a handheld, optically guided biopsy device.