Three-dimensional optical imaging and therapy of prostate cancer

Abstract

A system and method for use in tissue analysis and therapy. An optical probe array has at least two or more optical probes for illuminating tissue and generates light fluorescence and/or diffuse reflectance signals corresponding to the illuminated tissue. One or more ultrasound, CT and MRI imaging guidance systems identify the position of the optical probes relative to the tissue. The imaging guidance system can also be a fusion of an MRI or CT image provided by the MRI or CT imaging guidance system and an ultrasound image provided by the ultrasound imaging guidance system. An imaging system generates a three-dimensional image of the tissue based on the generated light signals and the identified position of the optical probes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for use with a tissue comprising:
 an optical probe array system having at least two or more optical probes for inserting into the tissue, for illuminating the tissue and for generating light signals corresponding to the illuminated tissue; and   an imaging system for generating an image of the tissue based on the generated light signals.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a device for treating the tissue presented in the generated image, wherein the device comprises at least one of the following:
 a Cryotherapy device; 
 a Photodynamic Therapy device; 
 a Brachytherapy device; 
 a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device; 
 a tissue ablation device; 
 a Laser ablation device; 
 a RF ablation device; 
 a Vapor ablation device; 
 a Local drug delivery device. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an imaging guidance system for identifying the position of the optical probes relative to the tissue, and wherein the imaging system comprises a three-dimensional imaging system for generating a three-dimensional image of the tissue based on the generated light signals and the identified position of the optical probes. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the imaging guidance system comprises an ultrasound probe. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the imaging system comprises a three-dimensional mapping system for generating a three-dimensional image of the tissue based on the generated light signals. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising a device for treating the tissue presented in the three-dimensional image, wherein the device comprises at least one of the following:
 a Cryotherapy device; 
 a Photodynamic Therapy device; 
 a Brachytherapy device; 
 a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device; 
 a tissue ablation device; 
 a Laser ablation device; 
 a RF ablation device; 
 a Vapor ablation device; 
 a Local drug delivery device. 
 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a grid or template for aligning the optical probes into a predetermined orientation relative to each other and relative to the tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the optical probe array comprises:
 A plurality of optical probes, each optical probe comprising:
 a shaft; and 
 two or more optical devices supported by the shaft, each for illuminating the tissue adjacent its shaft and for detecting light adjacent its shaft from the illuminated tissue. 
 
 
     
     
         9 . The probe array of  claim 8  wherein the optical devices comprise:
 a light source supported by the shaft for illuminating tissue adjacent shaft; and 
 an optical sensor supported by the shaft for sensing light from the tissue adjacent the shaft. 
 
     
     
         10 . The probe array of  claim 9  further comprising transmit and receive optical fibers within the shaft for transmitting light to a position adjacent the shaft and for receiving light from the illuminated tissue at the position adjacent the shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The probe array of  claim 8  further comprising transmit and receive optical fibers within the shaft for transmitting light to a position adjacent the shaft and for receiving light from the illuminated tissue at the position adjacent the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the imaging system comprises a fluorescence spectroscope for evaluating fluorescence of the generated light signals. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the imaging system comprises at least one of:
 a spectroscope for evaluating reflectance of the generated light signals; 
 a spectroscope for evaluating diffuse reflectance of the generated light signals; and 
 a spectroscope for evaluating scattering of the generated light signals. 
 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the imaging system includes a controller and display generating a light signal image corresponding to the generated light signals, and further comprising:
 an MRI or CT imaging system generating an MRI or CT image indicative of the position of the optical probes relative to the tissue; 
 an ultrasound imaging guidance system for generating an ultrasound image identifying the position of the optical probes relative to the tissue; and 
 a display providing an image of the tissue based on the identified position of the optical probes as indicated by the MRI or CT imaging guidance system and as indicated by the ultrasound imaging guidance system wherein the image is a fusion of an MRI or CT image provided by the MRI or CT imaging guidance system and the ultrasound image provided by the ultrasound imaging guidance system. 
 
     
     
         15 . A probe array for use with a tissue comprising:
 A plurality of optical probes, each optical probe comprising:
 a shaft; and 
 two or more optical devices supported by the shaft, each for illuminating the tissue adjacent its shaft and for detecting light adjacent its shaft from the illuminated tissue. 
   
     
     
         16 . The array of  claim 15  further comprising a grid or template for aligning the optical probes into a predetermined orientation relative to each other and relative to the tissue. 
     
     
         17 . The probe array of  claim 16  wherein each optical device comprises:
 a light source supported by the shaft for illuminating tissue adjacent shaft; and 
 an optical sensor supported by the shaft for sensing light from the tissue adjacent the shaft. 
 
     
     
         18 . The probe array of  claim 17  further comprising transmit and receive optical fibers within the shaft for transmitting light to a position adjacent the shaft and for receiving light from the illuminated tissue at the position adjacent the shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The probe array of  claim 16  further comprising transmit and receive optical fibers within the shaft for transmitting light to a position adjacent the shaft and for receiving light from the illuminated tissue at the position adjacent the shaft. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 positioning two or more optical light sources adjacent to or within tissue to illuminate the tissue;   capturing spectra or other optical phenomena from the illuminated tissue using a sensor;   characterizing the tissue at the location of the optical sensor based on the captured spectra or other optical phenomena and determining corresponding coordinates of the tissue to map a 3D image of the tissue; and   creating the 3D optical image of the tissue based on the mapped 3D image.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein based on the 3D optical image a portion of the tissue is treated with a therapeutic modality comprising at least one of Cryotherapy, Photodynamic Therapy, Brachytherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), AC/DC current for PCa tissue ablation, Laser ablation, RF ablation, Vapor ablation, and Local drug delivery. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising using an ultrasound probe to determine a position of the optical sensor relative to the tissue. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising using a grid or template to position a plurality of optical sensors relative to each other. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising using a spectroscope for evaluating light from the illuminated tissue.