The development of mid-infrared endoscopy for the detection of malignant cells and progress towards the in-vivo optical biopsy using new optical Chalc

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Mid-infrared (MIR) fibre-optics, such as those comprised of Chalcogenide based glasses, have the potential to radiate wavelengths encompassing the spectral fingerprint region of biological tissue (~3-14 um). MIR absorption is known to vary dependending on molecular structure; a feature altered with diseases such as cancer. Computational analysis enables the definitive distinction between the absorption spectra of healthy and malignant cells, nullifying the need for the traditionally used and highly flawed 'Gold Standard' of histopathology for cancer detection and diagnosis. Currently MIR endoscopes are unavailable however, if developed, would enable the imaging and chemical mapping of internal issues, such as endometrium, in-vivo. This would enable an optical biopsy for cancer diagnosis in real-time, in addition to aiding surgeons post cancer diagnosis in mapping cancer margins for removal during surgery.