Biopsy Needle for Tumor Blood Flow Quantification

Martin, Gregory

Abstract

This project seeks to incorporate blood flow (perfusion) sensors with core and aspiration biopsy needles. This device (needle, sensor, instrument and software) will serve as a research tool to investigate the relationship between tumor blood flow/oxygenation and anti-tumor therapy outcome. Since perfusion is a primary mediator of tissue oxygenation, and since oxygen acts as a modifier of the effectiveness of radiation therapy and chemotherapeutic agents, perfusion plays a role in the outcome of these therapies. During hyperthermia, higher therapeutic temperatures are achieved when tumor flow is low. Currently, there does not exist a tool to conveniently and routinely assess tumor perfusion in conjunction with anti-cancer therapy. In a research setting, the proposed device will help determine if such a perfusion/therapy outcome relationship exists. In clinical oncology, this device will provide information to assess the success of tumor blood flow modification agents, to help plan anti-tumor therapy for mammal effectiveness and to unambiguously ensure that the biopsy is taken from viable, non-necrotic tissue. This low cost device will also allow the perfusion data to be collected without increased patient morbidity nor increased risk for seeding the normal surrounding tissue with tumor cells over that of a standard biopsy procedure. The ability of the sensor to detect significantly sized vessel within1-2mm may also help navigate the biopsy needle through tissue to avoid these vessels in the biopsy path. Future versions of this device may incorporate other physiologic sensors relevant to clinical interest.

Proposed Commercial Applications

The proposed instrumented biopsy needle for the measurement of tumor blood flow has the potential to predict the efficacy of non-surgical anti-tumor therapy for hundreds of thousands of patients in the US each year. This device should find wide application in many research centers studying tumor blood flow in animal models and humans. A low-cost biopsy needle adjunct which quantifies tissue viability and tissue ischemia, and permits sensing of vessels in close proximity to the needle tip to aid in navigation, is expected to have great commercial potential.