Endobronchial Imaging With Optical Ultrasound

该提案的核心是开发一种新的技术平台，包括介入成像探头，以引导内窥镜肺活检。这些探头包括为光学发射和接收US而开发的新型高度集成化脉冲回波光学超声（US）传感器。集成在机器人支气管镜检查系统中，成像探头将提供实时B模式（2D）图像，以准确识别深肺结节并提供活检针的实时引导。该医疗技术研究者主导的项目包括一项雄心勃勃的计划，旨在通过探索全光学超声在机器人引导支气管内超声成像中的应用，沿着沿着临床转化路径显著推进全光学超声。全光学脉冲回波超声成像是一种用于引导微创手术的新兴技术平台。光纤光学超声（OpUS）换能器包括用于产生和接收超声的不同机构。通过光声效应执行US的光学生成，其中调制的入射光被提供给高度吸收的材料，并且所产生的热能沉积导致透射的US波。OpUS的优势和最近研究中通过组织成像获得的有前景的概念验证数据，为开发临床上用于机器人支气管镜检查的新型探头提供了重要机会。到达肺部远端区域的高水平成像以及将OpUS与针活检和机器人导航相结合的新奇，为临床实践的显著改善和低成本组件的高性能提供了前景，以实现快速临床应用和患者受益。

This proposal is centred on the development of a novel technology platform comprising interventional imaging probes to guide endoscopic lung biopsies. These probes comprise novel, highly miniaturised pulse-echo optical ultrasound (US) sensors developed for optically transmitting and receiving US. Integrated within a robotic bronchoscopy system, the imaging probes will provide real-time B-mode (2D) images to accurately identify deep lung nodules and provide real-time guidance of biopsy needles. This Healthcare Technologies Investigator-Led project comprises an ambitious plan to significantly advance all-optical ultrasound along the clinical translational path by exploring its use in robotic-guided endobronchial ultrasound imaging.All-optical pulse-echo ultrasound imaging is an emerging technology platform for guiding minimally invasive procedures. Fibre optic optical ultrasound (OpUS) transducers comprise distinct mechanisms for generating and receiving ultrasound. Optical generation of US is performed via the photoacoustic effect, in which modulated incident light is provided to a highly absorbing material and the resulting thermal energy deposition leads to a transmitted US wave. The advantages of OpUS and the promising proof-of-concept data obtained with tissue imaging in recent studies, offer a major opportunity to develop novel probes that are used clinically for robotic bronchoscopy. The high level of miniaturisation to reach distal regions of the lung, and the novelty of integrating OpUS with needle biopsies and robotic navigation, offer the prospects of effecting significant improvements to clinical practice and achieving high performance with low-cost components, for rapid clinical uptake and patient benefits.