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Fluorescence-based Device for Fast, Painless Cancer Diagnosis

IP Title

Differential Laser-Induced Perturbation (DLIF) for Bioimaging and Chemical Sensing

Detailed Technology Description

None

Application Date

Jan 28, 2011

Application No.

8,939,966

Others

*Abstract

Diagnoses Cancer Without Requiring a Biopsy

This fluorescence-based device uses a laser to selectively interact with potentially malignant tissue for faster and easier point-of-care cancer diagnosis. The worldwide market for cancer diagnostics is projected to reach a value of $156 billion by 2024. Available cancer diagnostics often require biopsies of skin, lung, breast, prostate, and colorectal tissues. However, these procedures cause pain and produce significant anxiety for the patient waiting for the test results. One study showed that women awaiting breast biopsy results excreted similar amounts of the stress hormone, cortisol, as do women who were recently told they have cancer.

Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a diagnostic laser device that uses fluorescent imaging to painlessly identify cancer cell malignancy. The device provides instant cancer cell recognition without sacrificing diagnostic accuracy.

Application

A laser-induced fluorescence-based device that allows for real-time cancer diagnosis and reduces the need for painful biopsies

Advantages

• Enables immediate point-of-care diagnosis of a tumor or growth, saving time and stress for both the physician and the patient
• Permits in-house cancer diagnoses, eliminating the costs associated with shipping samples to outside labs for analysis
• Functions without tissue removal, bypassing the need for painful, and sometimes risky, biopsies
• Supports the inclusion of full imaging modalities, expanding potential applications

Technology

This device couples existing fluorescence detection with a laser for real-time cancer diagnosis, eliminating the need for painful incisions and tissue removal inherent to traditional biopsies. Fluorescence imaging captures a signal of the tumor in its original state. A laser then perturbs the tumor, creating a permanent change in the optical response of the tumor. Fluorescence imaging then captures a second signal. Finally, subtracting the original image from the second image leaves only the visible perturbation of the tumor in view. This final image provides physicians with valuable visual information that allows them to quickly classify the tumor as either benign or malignant based on its reaction to the laser inducement.

*IP Issue Date

Jan 27, 2015

*IP Publication Date

Jun 9, 2011

*Principal Investigator

Name: David Hahn

Department:

Country/Region

USA