A Real-Time Imaging System for Medical Mechatronics Research

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This proposal is requesting funds to purchase an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system that is required for several of our ongoing research projects at CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies and Advanced Robotics) on minimally invasive surgery and therapy (MIST). Minimally invasive procedures are highly advantageous for patients as they reduce collateral damage to the body because they are performed through small incisions or through the natural orifices in the body. However, they introduce significant limitations for clinicians as a result of the reduced access conditions. Many of the ongoing projects at CSTAR are focused on the development of new devices and techniques for MIST. A possible solution to the limited visual information that arises during these procedures is to incorporate more advanced imaging systems into MIST devices. OCT is a fairly recent development in imaging, which has important applications in medicine as a noninvasive or minimally invasive, safe and inexpensive imaging modality. This technology supports real-time imaging with sub-millimetre resolution to a depth of up to 3 mm. Incorporating this technology into MIST devices has applications in cardiac surgery, lung cancer treatment, and surgery in the gastrointestinal tract. It can result in a broader range of advanced minimally invasive interventions, improving patient safety and reducing complications. An additional application is in the development of more realistic physical simulators for knee arthroscopy, as this is the first available technology that can be used in a very minimally invasive manner to measure tissue characteristics in vivo and can inform the development of tissue models that have the same "feel" as real tissue. This equipment is essential for the successful completion of our ongoing research projects and promises to significantly advance the state of the art in the development of technology for MIST.