Developing an MR compatible biophotonic probe for endoscopic microscopy

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) guided diagnostic biopsy for tissue sampling has been developed and is established in clinical routine. The samples require histo-pathological microscopic examination which is causing significant delay. Based on the diagnosis, subsequent treatment of a malignant lesion by thermal ablation is an option. Therefore shortening the time between diagnosis and treatment is still an unmet clinical need. Optical endoscopy and associated biophotonics imaging and sensing techniques do not usually provide MRI compatible probes since the probe tips have cameras or miniature motion control. Therefore, they cannot be used in conjunction with MRI guidance. Optical fibres have advantages such as MR compatibility, inertness, lack of electromagnetic interference, small size, remote sensing and multiparameter sensing. These advantages along with possible miniaturisation potential of the optical fibres will be exploited in this project for the design and development of a novel MR compatible optical fibre based biophotonic probe for “in situ” pathologic diagnosis (optical Biopsy) of a targeted tumor suspicious lesion. The proposed work aims to design and develop MRI compatible biophotonic probes for endoscopic microscopy (endomicroscopy) and spectroscopy for in situ diagnosis and therapy monitoring while combining it all with MRI imaging. The project also aims to integrate structural MRI, endomicroscopy and Magnetic Resonance guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS). Integrating Focused ultrasound (FUS) and MRI as a thermal ablation therapy delivery system allows to localize, target, and monitor in real time and thus to ablate targeted tissue without damaging normal structures. This precision makes MRgFUS an attractive alternative to surgical resection or radiation therapy of benign and malignant tumors.