Researchers Jane Crowley and George Gordon from the University of Nottingham have developed an innovative spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) device, which is promising for gastrointestinal endoscopy applications.
Key Features of the SFDI Device:
- The ultraminiature SFDI system is designed to be integrated into colonoscopes.
- It leverages light interference to reveal information about the optical properties of tissue, which can indicate the presence of cancerous lesions.
- The device projects a repeating 2D pattern of light onto a target area, and the intensity of the reflected light patterns provides insights into the tissue’s optical properties.
Innovations in the Device:
- The SFDI system uses a custom-made optic fiber bundle as a projector, consisting of seven optic fibers that can be independently coupled to laser sources of different wavelengths.
- This setup allows for the projection of 2D sinusoidal patterns onto the target tissue, with the ability to tune the spatial characteristics of the pattern and project patterns of up to three different wavelengths simultaneously.
- The device includes an ultraminiature camera (1 mm x 1 mm), resulting in a total diameter of just 3 mm.
- A custom algorithm is used to track phase deviations in the projected patterns, reducing noise in the captured absorption and scattering profiles.
Potential Impact:
- This development could make GC screening more widely accessible due to the low cost and high accuracy of the device.
- The ultraminiature size and flexibility of the device make it suitable for routine endoscopic deployment in the gastrointestinal tract.
The study, published in the Journal of Biomedical Optics, addresses the need for inexpensive yet accurate imaging systems for GC screening. This innovation could significantly improve early detection and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, potentially reducing mortality rates associated with these cancers.