Product Design for Elastic-Scattering Spectroscopy (ESS) Probe
Number of Students : 2
Guides : Hardik J Pandya
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), breast cancer is one of the most widespread forms of cancer, affecting around 2.3 million women annually and contributing to nearly 7% of mortality among all cancers found in women. Intraoperative cancer margin assessment is essential in ensuring the surgery’s success. In this direction, the developed multispectral diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS)-based intraoperative handheld probe (Multispectral-Pen) can play a vital role in characterizing malignant tissues from adjacent normal tissues to assess the tumor margin accurately. The multispectral intra-operative probe consists of a handle for the surgeon to hold the probe and assess the cancer margin. The detachable tip consists of an opening for multiwavelength LEDs and a photodetector. A separate Printed Circuit Board (PCB) incorporates LEDs and a photodetector. This PCB is interconnected with other modules of the probe through the wires. The data acquired from the LED and photodetector unit will be processed by a signal conditioning/processing PCB, including a touch sensor or press button switch, microcontroller, USB slot, and other associated electronics within the probe’s handle. The output signals from the PCB are transferred via a low-noise data transfer cable to the user end. The surgeon can use the multispectral intra-operative probe during a lumpectomy surgery to remove cancerous tissue. With the validation of the probe in ex-vivo conditions previously done in our lab, the next step is to validate in an in-vivo intraoperative setting. For this goal, the optics in the probe needs to be replaced with optical fiber technology to assist miniaturization of the probe tip. This also necessitates the redesigning of the electronic circuits and the packaged embodiment. Additionally, medical grade design considerations must be taken during the design to translate the prototype from a lab level to an industry-relevant model. The students will work on the electronic product design towards commercialization and on developing a graphical user interface for data visualization. The students will learn electronic product design, biomedical device design and testing, API development for data acquisition and processing in real time, and android/windows-based GUI development to show real-time outcomes. The students will interact with lead breast cancer surgeons
