Biopsy guidance by image-based x-ray guidance system and photonic needle

Abstract

A system for providing integrated guidance for positioning a needle in a body has two levels of guidance: a coarse guidance and a fine guidance. The system comprises a non-invasive imaging system for obtaining an image of the biopsy device in the body, for providing the coarse guidance. Furthermore, the system comprises an optical element mounted on the needle for obtaining optical information discriminating tissue in the body, for providing the fine guidance.

1 . A system for integrated guidance for positioning a biopsy device in a body, the system comprising:
 an imaging device ( 500 ) for coarse guidance, providing images of body structures,   an analyze device ( 20 ) for fine guidance, comprising an optical element ( 220 ) and providing information discriminating tissue of the body, and   a biopsy device ( 100 ,  200 ) being an elongate element with a tip portion,   wherein the biopsy device ( 100 ,  200 ) is adapted to be visualized by the imaging device ( 500 ), and   wherein the optical element ( 220 ) is in the tip portion of the biopsy device ( 100 ,  200 ).   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the biopsy device ( 100 ,  200 ) comprises one of a biopsy needle or a hollow shaft ( 210 ) adapted to receive a needle ( 240 ) for taking a tissue sample. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the optical element of the analyze device ( 20 ) comprises an optical fiber ( 30 ,  40 ,  220 ). 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the analyze device ( 20 ) further comprises a console for spectroscopy ( 22 ), wherein the console and the fiber ( 40 ,  220 ) are connected to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the console for spectroscopy ( 22 ) is adapted to provide information from one of the group consisting of reflectance spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, autofluorescence spectroscopy, differential path length spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, light scattering spectroscopy, and multi-photon fluorescence spectroscopy. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the imaging device ( 500 ) is a non-invasive imaging modality being one of the group consisting of an X-ray device, a computer tomography device, a magnet resonance tomography device, and an ultrasound device. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the information provided by the analyze device ( 20 ) is registered in image provided by the imaging device ( 500 ). 
     
     
         8 . A biopsy device ( 100 ,  200 ) comprising at least one of:
 a structure and material capable to be visualized by an imaging device ( 500 ), and   an optical fiber ( 30 ,  40 ,  220 ) integrated in the biopsy device, capable of emitting and receiving of light, wherein an end of the optical fiber is located at a tip portion of the biopsy device.   
     
     
         9 . The biopsy device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the biopsy device ( 100 ) is a biopsy needle. 
     
     
         10 . The biopsy device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the biopsy device ( 200 ) comprises a hollow shaft ( 210 ) adapted to receive a needle ( 240 ) for taking a tissue sample. 
     
     
         11 . A method of positioning a biopsy device according to  claim 8  in a body having tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
 manipulating the biopsy device ( 100 ,  200 ) in a body, wherein the biopsy device comprises an optical fiber ( 30 ,  40 ,  220 ), 
 visualizing structures of the body and the biopsy device, by means of a non-invasive imaging system ( 500 ), 
 coarse guiding the biopsy device on the basis of the visualization, 
 analyzing the tissue adjacent a tip portion of the biopsy device, by means of an analyze device ( 20 ) having a spectroscopy console, 
 providing optical information on the basis of the analysis, 
 fine positioning the biopsy device on the basis of the information from the analyze device.