LIGHT AGE, INC. — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: 102

Description

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant The emerging light based imaging technique of acoustic resolution photoacoustic endomicroscopy AR PAEM enables visualization of subsurface tissues with microscopic resolution at depths of many millimeters AR PAEM images provide crucial information regarding microvasculature morphology and tissue physiology blood oxygenation For cancers originating in the epithelial tissues e g oral cavity and pharynx and the digestive respiratory genital and urinary systems PAEM offers the potential to detect the very earliest mucosal changes at the microstructural biochemical and molecular levels by presenting subsurface tissue morphologic physiologic and cellular features This provides valuable information regarding cancer onset progression and response of to therapy Key to AR PAEM is the use of short duration nanosecond laser pulses at specific wavelengths Wavelength selective absorption by targeted tissues gives rise to a primary acoustic signal High resolution acoustic imaging is achieved by means advanced acoustic detectors and associated signal processing electronics and software Tissue discrimination is obtained from differential images at multiple deep red and near infrared wavelengths The goals of the proposed program are to develop an advanced diode pumped alexandrite laser source for clinical AR PAEM and to demonstrate its performance for bladder cancer screening and diagnostics The laser will have specialized features for achieving the imaging depth functional imaging accuracy and image acquisition time required for clinical bladder cancer screening In this Phase I program we will develop a clinical prototype laser source providing features critical for clinical AR PAEM cancer screening and diagnostics The laser will be integrated into an AR PAEM imaging system developed by the University of Michigan Pre clinical imaging studies on animal models will be performed to evaluate the benefits of the laser technology a variety of image parameters will be quantified such as imaging depth imaging speed contrast resolution and blood oxygenation This will provide an assessment of the benefits of the laser system for AR PAEM and will provide guidance for the development of a clinical pilot laser system in Phase II PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE The purpose of this program is to develop critical laser technology that enables acoustic resolution photoacoustic endomicroscopy AR PAEM to serve as a routine diagnostic tool for clinical evaluation of cancers originating in epithelial tissues g oral cavity and pharynx and the digestive respiratory genital and urinary systems Initial emphasis is placed on bladder cancer screening and diagnostics AR PAEM produces high resolution images of vasculature along with selective contrast enhancement of vascular functionality This provides valuable information regarding cancer onset progression and response to therapy Key to this is the development of specific laser performance characteristics that provide the required imaging depth image contrast and imaging speed The advanced imaging devices that result can be readily introduced into most hospitals and specialty clinics at reasonable cost and for general human benefit