Multi-Modality Imaging for Minimally Invasive Surgery

简要描述研究背景，包括潜在影响微创手术正在取代传统手术，但传感器技术的重大改进需要充分发挥其潜力。在这里，只需要很小的切口，从而减少恢复时间、成本和患者不适，然而，临床医生必须依靠成像来可视化解剖和手术设备。目前可用的指导存在不足，无法提供足够的可视化。外部成像，如x射线，缺乏对比度和分辨率，而内部成像缺乏分辨率和分子特异性，而且往往太笨重。迫切需要一种替代方案来改进过程中的指导并启用新的应用程序。全光超声是一种利用光产生和接收超声波的新型成像技术，非常适合于此。该技术有潜力从非常适合微创应用的小型化设备提供高分辨率成像。此外，光学的使用使互补成像和治疗模式的优雅集成，使多模态设备成为可能。实现这项技术的潜力将彻底改变医疗保健，为临床医生提供跨越众多医疗领域的强大工具。UCL已经建立了全光超声，并进行了关键演示，使用光纤获取二维和三维图像，以及体内实时成像，以及超声和光声成像联合注册。这项工作建立在这项既定技术的基础上，旨在在设备设计方面取得革命性进展，以解决当前心脏病学中的问题。极端的设备小型化和互补成像和治疗方式的整合将允许心脏手术中的新用途，并开辟新的临床途径。作为这项工作的一部分，将在神经血管成像和支气管内成像等领域寻求进一步的临床合作，以利用工程技术的进步。发展从一根光纤产生和接收超声波的方法和组件，可以在以前无法到达的位置进行成像；发展新的图像和数据处理协议和算法，可以提高图像分辨率和其他参数的特异性；发展互补成像和治疗模式，如光声成像和激光消融；为关键的概念验证和转化成像实验开发集成医疗设备研究方法的新颖性该项目将结合光学和声学组件的纳米和微制造，成像系统设计，超声实验，开发实验装置，包括激光器，超声设备和其他组件，设计和执行成像实验（在实验台上和临床前环境中），并执行数据处理，数据可视化和系统控制的计算机编程。通过利用尖端的制造方法和新颖的计算方法，将制造出一类新的医疗设备。该项目与epsrc医疗技术大挑战“物理干预前沿”和“优化治疗”保持一致。该项目将与伦敦主要医院的临床医生合作开展。其中包括皇家自由医院的Roby Rakhit医生，巴特心脏中心的Malcolm Finlay医生和伦敦大学学院医院的Sami Sarmed医生。

Brief description of the context of the research including potential impact Minimally invasive procedures are replacing traditional surgery, but significant improvements in sensor technology are required to realise their full potential. Here, only small incisions are necessary leading to reduced recovery times, costs, and patient discomfort, however, clinicians must rely on imaging to visualise the anatomy and surgical devices. Currently available guidance falls short, providing insufficient visualisation. External imaging, such as X-ray, is deficient in contrast and resolution, whilst internal imaging lacks resolution and molecular specificity, and is often too bulky. An alternative is urgently needed to improve guidance during procedures and enable new applications. All-optical ultrasound, a novel imaging technique which uses light to generate and receive ultrasound, is ideally suited for this. The technology has the potential to provide high resolution imaging from miniaturised devices perfectly suited to minimally invasive applications. Further, the use of optics enables the elegant integration of complementary imaging and therapeutic modalities, enabling multi-modality devices. Realising the potential of this technology would revolutionise healthcare, providing clinicians with a powerful tool across numerous medical fields. All-optical ultrasound has been established at UCL, with key demonstrations using optical fibres to acquire two- and three-dimensional images, as well as, real-time imaging in vivo, and co-registered ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging. This work builds on this established technology and aims to make revolutionary advances in device design to tackle current problems in cardiology. Extreme device miniaturisation and the integration of complementary imaging and therapeutic modalities will allow novel uses during cardiac procedures and open new clinical avenues. As a part of this work, further clinical collaborations will be sought in areas such as neurovascular imaging and endobronchial imaging to leverage the engineering advances. Aims and Objectives Developing methods and components to generate and receive ultrasound from a single optical fibre which could enable imaging in previously unreachable locations Developing novel image and data processing protocols and algorithms which could improve image resolution and specificity amongst other parameters Developing complementary imaging and therapeutic modalities, such as photoacoustic imaging and laser ablation, and integrating them with all-optical ultrasound Developing integrated medical devices for key proof-of-concept and translational imaging experiments Novelty of Research Methodology The project will combine elements of nano- and micro-fabrication for optical and acoustic components, imaging system design, ultrasound experimentation, developing experimental setups including lasers, ultrasound equipment and other components, designing and performing imaging experiments (both on the bench top and in preclinical environments), and performing computer programming for data handling, data visualisation, and systems control. By utilising cutting edge fabrication methods and novel computational methods, a new class of medical devices will be fabricated. This project is aligned with the EPSRCs Healthcare Technologies Grand Challenge 'Frontiers of Physics Intervention' and 'Optimising Treatment'.The project will be carried out in collaboration with clinicians from leading London hospitals. These include Dr. Roby Rakhit at the Royal Free Hospital, Dr Malcolm Finlay at Barts Heart Centre, and Dr Sami Sarmed at University College London Hospital.