Development Of Microscope-in-a-needle Devices For Improved Clinical Diagnostics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$327,746.00
Summary
We have developed a new high-resolution optical imaging technology. The unique aspect of our research has been to redesign the imaging probe, miniaturising it to a few hundred microns in diameter, and encase it in a hypodermic needle – a ‘microscope-in-a-needle’. We are developing specific imaging probes to aid in the assessment of lung disease; the diagnosis of liver disease; and integrated into a brain biopsy needle to enable safer brain biopsies.
Three dimensional (3D) optical coherence tomography in cancer. This project will establish for the first time how well 3D optical coherence tomography, a form of medical imaging, can image cancer. Based on this, a version built into a needle will be developed which will enable extension much deeper into tissues than previously possible to image cancer and to guide related surgical procedures.