A Real-time imaging and classification system for low-grade glioma detection during brain surgery

Introduction

Brain tumors remain one of the most incurable illnesses we know; patients have poor prognosis and less than a decade of life expectancy. The oncologist’s toolkit is rather limited as chemotherapy agents have limited access to the brain due to the blood-brain barrier's selective permeability, and radiotherapy results in extensive damage to tissue well beyond the targeted area. This leaves surgical removal of the tumor as the most effective approach.

Importance of Surgical Removal

It has now become clear that the completeness of the surgical removal of the tumor is the most important factor determining the recurrence of the illness. As such, tools that enable neurosurgeons to effectively remove the tumor are of fundamental importance in the surgical theater.

Advances in Surgical Techniques

Recent advances in intraoperative fluorescent labeling of common brain tumors have proven to dramatically improve surgical outcomes. Unfortunately, no such labeling or intraoperative aid exists for the highly infiltrative low-grade glioma (LGG), making it the deadliest type.

Project Objectives

This PoC project aims to tackle this urgent unmet need and develop an intraoperative, real-time imaging and tissue classification tool for precise on-site identification of LGG tissue.

Core Technology

The core technology emanates from the multiphoton ultrafast volumetric imaging we developed, which is now able to run in real-time to study the link between neuronal activity and blood flow. Here we harness this unique technology and extend it to perform real-time label-free multimodal acquisition and image processing using the latest deep-learning tools.

Expected Outcomes

Our tool will provide surgeons with the ability to discern, while operating, healthy vs. tumor tissue. Together with neurosurgeons, a technological hardware partner, and an expert in artificial intelligence, we are positioned to generate the first-of-its-kind prototype and seek its commercialization.

Impact

Such a tool is expected to become a game changer in brain and other tumor surgeries, improving the life expectancy and quality of many patients and families.