Medical Imaging

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Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. While screening programs have had a tremendous impact on reducing mortality, the majority of cases occur in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Typically, screening for gastric and esophageal cancer is performed using a flexible endoscope; however, endoscopy resources for these settings are traditionally limited. With the development of an inexpensive, disposable system by Vanderbilt researchers, gastroscopy and colonoscopy can be facilitated in areas hampered by a lack of access to the appropriate means.

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a system for enhancing the imaging capabilities of optical coherence tomography (OCT), a tool commonly used to monitor and treat patients with retinal disease. The image resolution of OCT, however, is intrinsically limited. Ideally, a contrast agent could be used to highlight specific parts of the retina within the image, but dye alone is largely ineffective because of the way OCT generates the image. Photothermal heating solves this problem by creating local zones of tissue expansion which can be distinctly detected by OCT. Photothermal-OCT is safe, effective, and enhances the imaging power of a tool widely used by opticians.

Researchers at Vanderbilt have developed a new image-guided, trackerless surgical microscope system to be used in soft tissue surgeries. The current method is to use a surgical microscope along with an image-guided system. This new design eliminates the need for a separate image-guidance system; the entire guidance environment can be realized within the microscope environment.

A flexible endoscope for ophthalmic orbital surgery is presented. The endoscope has illuminating fiber, image fiber and a free conduit to deliver purge gas/fluid in addition to instruments such as ablation instruments, coagulating instrument or a medication delivery instrument.