Applications of Medical Imaging Techniques

"Seeing the Invisible": New Tech Enables Deep Tissue Imaging During Surgery. Researchers have developed a novel rigid endoscope system for visible-to-over-thousand-nanometer hyperspectral imaging for advanced medical procedures. Tokyo University of Science, RIKEN (Japan) and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. 26 April 2024 Excerpt: Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a state-of-the-art technique that captures and processes information across a given electromagnetic spectrum. Unlike traditional imaging that capture light intensity at specific wavelengths, HSI collects a full spectrum at each pixel in an image. This rich spectral data enables distinction between different materials and substances based on their unique spectral signatures. Near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) has attracted significant attention in the food and industrial fields as a non-destructive technique for analyzing composition of objects. A notable aspect of NIR-HSI is over-thousand-nanometer (OTN) spectroscopy, which can be used for identification of organic substances, their concentration estimation, and 2D map creation. Additionally, NIR-HSI can be used to acquire information deep into the body, making it useful for the visualization of lesions hidden in normal tissues. Various HSI devices have been developed to suit different imaging targets and situations, such as imaging under a microscope or portable imaging and imaging in confined spaces. At the core of this innovative new system lies a supercontinuum (SC) light source and an acoustic-opto tunable filter (AOTF) that can emit specific wavelengths. Prof. Takemura and his team identified several future research directions. Note: "This breakthrough, which combines expertise from different fields through a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach, enables identification of invaded cancer areas and the visualization of deep tissues such as blood vessels, nerves, and ureters during medical procedures, leading to improved surgical navigation. Additionally, it enables measurement using light previously unseen in industrial applications, potentially creating new areas of non-use and non-destructive testing," remarks Prof. Takemura. "By visualizing the invisible, we aim to accelerate the development of medicine and improve the quality of life of physicians as well as patients." Publication: Optics Express (link enclosed) Vol. 32, Issue 9, pp. 16090-16102 (2024) Development of a visible to 1600 nm hyperspectral imaging rigid-scope system using supercontinuum light and an acousto-optic tunable filter https://lnkd.in/edwSyebg

WHAT IS THE NEXT GREAT AI AND MRI ADVANCE-SYNTHETIC MRI FINGERPRINTING: Synthetic MRI, also known as Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF), is an advanced imaging technique used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that provides quantitative information about tissue properties. Unlike conventional MRI, which primarily relies on the acquisition of anatomical images, synthetic MRI aims to generate parametric maps that represent various tissue properties, such as DWI, T1 relaxation time, T2 relaxation time, and proton density. The conventional MRI process involves acquiring multiple images with different imaging parameters to capture specific tissue characteristics. In contrast, synthetic MRI uses a predefined acquisition scheme that incorporates variations in parameters, such as flip angles and repetition times, to create a unique "fingerprint" for each tissue type, using AI. This fingerprint is then compared to a database of simulated fingerprints, allowing for the estimation of tissue properties. By obtaining quantitative measurements of tissue properties, synthetic MRI enables more accurate and objective assessment of various pathologies and conditions. It can provide detailed information about tissue composition, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases such as multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, synthetic MRI offers several advantages over conventional MRI techniques. It reduces the scanning time, as it captures multiple tissue properties simultaneously in a single acquisition. This can be particularly beneficial for patients who have difficulty remaining still during lengthy scans. Furthermore, synthetic MRI allows for retrospective analysis, meaning that different contrasts or parametric maps can be generated from a single acquisition without the need for re-imaging. Overall, synthetic MRI is an innovative approach that enhances the diagnostic capabilities of MRI by providing quantitative tissue information, improving efficiency, and facilitating more comprehensive analysis of medical images. Brain and body applications for tumor and demyelination, Alzheimer's, Lymphoma/leukemia, and evaluation of staging and recurrence is our frontier. #mri #philipshealthcare #ai #wellspanhealth #prostatecancer #lymphoma #machinelearning

𝐅𝐋𝐔𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐙𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 The quest for precision in oncological surgery has led to a paradigm shift with the advent of fluorescence imaging technology, a transformative development meticulously reviewed by Yaroslav Kravchenko, Kateryna Sikora, Andrew Awuah Wireko, and Mykola Lyndin in their seminal work published in Cell Press Heliyon. This LinkedIn commentary aims to distill the essence of their findings and explore the potential of fluorescence imaging to redefine cancer detection and surgery. 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒂𝒑 𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒖𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒚 At the heart of modern oncological challenges lies the critical need for precise tumor delineation and resection. Traditional methods, while foundational, often fall short in achieving the desired surgical accuracy. Fluorescence imaging emerges as a beacon of hope, offering near-infrared (NIR) capabilities that illuminate the path for surgeons. By integrating non-specific and targeted fluorescent agents, this technology enhances visualization, enabling the clear differentiation of cancerous tissue from healthy tissue. It's not merely about seeing better; it's about navigating with unparalleled precision. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒍𝒖𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑰𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑽𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅 Kravchenko et al.'s review delves into the crux of fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS), spotlighting its utility in various surgical contexts. The narrative is not just of technological advancement but of a fundamental shift towards informed, evidence-based surgical decisions. With FGS, the assessment of lymphatic networks, tissue perfusion, and metastatic spread is no longer fraught with uncertainty but guided by vivid, real-time imagery. This innovation isn't merely additive; it's transformative, redefining the boundaries of surgical intervention. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒑 𝒊𝒏 𝑰𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 The scientific underpinning of fluorescence, as elucidated by the authors, is a tale of quantum leaps and Stokes shifts. This section is a journey through the physics that makes fluorescence imaging possible, grounding the technology in solid scientific principles. The transition from absorbed light to emitted fluorescence is not just a phenomenon but the cornerstone of how we can now visualize the unseen in oncological surgery. 𝑨 𝑮𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 The horizon of fluorescence imaging is vast and promising. Kravchenko et al. forecast a future where the technology evolves from broad-spectrum agents to targeted tracers, each designed to seek out specific cancer cells. This specificity heralds a new dawn for surgery, where the removal of cancerous tissue is not just guided by sight but by molecular precision. #FluorescenceImaging #CancerDetection #OncologyInnovation #SurgicalPrecision #MedicalTechnology #HealthcareInnovation #BiomedicalEngineering #ClinicalResearch #MedicalImaging

If you're interested in the world of imaging this report from Vizient, Inc covers several interesting trends to watch in 2025. Here are two that I am most excited about: The site of care shift beyond hospitals - about 40% of all radiology imaging is now performed in outpatient imaging centers or clinics. For patients this translates into typically lower cost services with easier access closer to their home in a less chaotic environment in comparison to a hospital. Even more exciting is the deployment of mobile diagnostic imaging units that can travel to rural or underserved areas. This can bring critical services such as breast cancer screening or stroke evaluations directly to patients and improve accessibility. A maturing pipeline with new developments in radiopharmaceuticals that can diagnose AND treat patients. For example, in prostate cancer there is a radiopharmaceutical that can both identify and treat the disease during a PET scan. It is targeted only to the prostate cancer and does not harm the normal or healthy tissue in the body. This marks an exciting shift towards more personalized cancer care with theranostics and an increased focus on expanding nuclear medicine capabilities. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dDE6kfWY #enterpriseimaging #nuclearmedicine #healthcareIT #imagingtrends2025