Abstract
In situ image guidance is one of the key techniques for accurate diagnosis and treatment in clinical medicine. Conventional imaging techniques such as CT, MRI provide critical information for diagnosis and treatment planning, but are less practical due to either technical complexity or ionizing radiation-related safety. Microwave-pumped thermoacoustic imaging (MTAI) is a promising alternative to real-time bioimaging due to its deep imaging depth, high resolution and minimal biological hazards. More importantly, by mapping the distribution of microwave absorbers, this method can also provide a new perspective for noninvasively observing the anatomy and functional structure of the target. In this work, we introduce a concept of in situ MTAI guidance by combining MTAI and an accurate spatial definition of invasive apparatus used in potential procedures. By mounting tiny MTAI beacons on the apparatus, it is possible to accurately reconstruct the relative position of the device to the target tissue for either real time visual guidance or as the foundation for potential automated procedures. The image quality including its applicable depth and resolution, the accuracy of the device localization is analyzed and tested with simulated breast tumor to demonstrate the capacity of the proposed technique. With refined adaptation for potential applications, this technique may provide a novel approach for a broad range of medical and biological applications.
Highlights
A visual guidance system (VGS) with accurate real-time monitoring the relative position of the device to the target tissue is urgently needed in clinically surgical procedures [1]–[6]
With refined adaptation for potential applications, this technique may provide a novel approach for a broad range of medical and biological applications
Based on the ability of Microwave-pumped thermoacoustic imaging (MTAI) to effectively identify breast tumors with high imaging speed and extensive depth, we propose the concept of a microwave-pumped thermoacoustic visual guidance system (M-TAVGS)
Summary
A visual guidance system (VGS) with accurate real-time monitoring the relative position of the device to the target tissue is urgently needed in clinically surgical procedures [1]–[6]. Our group demonstrate that a real-time MTAI system with a ring transducer and parallel data acquisition system (DAS) can map the distribution of microwave absorbers This method provides a new perspective for noninvasively observing the anatomy and functional structure of breast tumor [27]. Based on the ability of MTAI to effectively identify breast tumors with high imaging speed and extensive depth, we propose the concept of a microwave-pumped thermoacoustic visual guidance system (M-TAVGS). The system aims for real-time monitoring of the relative position of the device to the target tissue for surgery guidance This approach has a distinctive advantage of surgery guidance that is independent of the physiological environment and provides a deeper penetration depth than optical imaging-based method. The proposed strategy would be the foundation for a computer guided/remote surgery
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