Polarization enhanced laparoscope for improved visualization of tissue structural changes associated with peritoneal cancer metastasis |
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| Authors: | Robert M. Trout Einstein Gnanatheepam Ahmed Gado Christopher Reik Jessica C. Ramella-Roman Martin Hunter Thomas Schnelldorfer Irene Georgakoudi |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Ave, Medford, MA 01255, USA;2.Department of Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA;3.Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA;4.Division of Surgical Oncology, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111, USA;5.Contributed equally |
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| Abstract: | A polarization enhanced laparoscopy (PEL) imaging system was developed to examine the feasibility of utilizing PEL to augment conventional white light laparoscopy (WLL) in the visualization of peritoneal cancer metastases. The system includes a modified tip to illuminate tissue with linearly polarized light and elements in the detection path enabling recording of corresponding images linearly co- and cross-polarized relative to the incident light. WLL and PEL images from optical tissue phantoms with features of distinct scattering cross-section confirm the enhanced sensitivity of PEL to such characteristics. Additional comparisons based on images acquired from collagen gels with different levels of fiber alignment highlight another source of PEL contrast. Finally, PEL and WLL images of ex vivo human tissue illustrate the potential of PEL to improve visualization of cancerous tissue surrounded by healthy peritoneum. Given the simplicity of the approach and its potential for seamless integration with current clinical practice, our results provide motivation for clinical translation. |
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