American researchers developed a new technique that could help surgeons identify tumors in the body through a reasonable and more efficient process.
The technology, developed by researchers at the University of Arizona and Washington University, enables surgeons to use cheaper and light-weight tools such as goggles or hand-held devices to identify tumors in real time in the operating room.
Researchers explain that the new technique works by combining two systems that include near-infrared fluorescent imaging to detect marked cancer cells and visible light reflectance imaging to see the contours of the tissue itself via one small, light-weight package that is approximately just the size of a quarter.
"Dual modality is the path forward because it has significant advantages over single modality," author Rongguang Liang, associate professor of optical sciences at the University of Arizona, said in a press release.
"By combining different modalities together, you get a much better picture of the tissue, which could help surgeons make sure they remove every last bit of the tumor and as small amount of healthy tissue as possible," added Optics Letters topical editor Brian Applegate of Texas A&M University, who was not involved in the research.
At present, doctors inject fluorescent dyes into a patient to help them pinpoint cancer cells.
"The other solution is to put two different imaging systems together side by side," Liang added. "But that makes the device bulky, heavy and not easy to use."
The study is published in The Optical Society's journal Optic Letters.
