Abstract:
An optical apparatus comprising a disposable non-magnetic optical fibre probe for coupling light into a sample and receiving light from the sample for performing Raman spectroscopy, and a non-magnetic optical extension releasably connected to the disposable non-magnetic optical probe for transmitting light into the disposable non-magnetic optical probe and receiving light from the disposable non-magnetic optical probe.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to an optical apparatus and method for use with a medical imager. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for performing Raman spectroscopy in conjunction with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Since the advent of optical microscopy numerous technologies have been developed to obtain morphological and chemical information from tissue. This information plays a key role in disease diagnosis. The development of multimodal imaging and spectroscopic techniques, which combine two or more technologies, can provide complementary information from tissue and therefore enhance diagnosis. 
         [0003]    Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an established medical imaging modality, which is being widely used for visualizing internal body structures. MRI has a non-ionizing field that makes it ideal for interventional radiology. However, it remains difficult to implement various procedures with interventional MRI (iMRI), as specialized non-ferromagnetic equipment has to be designed to work in the strong static and dynamic magnetic field of the MRI scanner. 
         [0004]    Raman spectroscopy is another powerful tool, which can be used for obtaining bio-chemical information of tissue. The technique is sensitive enough to detect minor changes in the tissue composition for distinguishing between normal and diseased tissue. There has been significant development in the field of fibre Raman probes, which now enables in vivo tissue analysis using endoscopic Raman probes. 
         [0005]    Conventional fibre-Raman-probes have an excitation fibre channel and a Raman signal collection fibre channel. These channels are co-aligned at the tip of a probe head. Filters are included at the probe head to reduce fluorescence from the fibre. Such filters may include a line filter to filter out fluorescence background from the excitation fibre and an edge filter that filters out Rayleigh scattered light that would enter the collection channel. The filter assembly at the fibre probe head results in a relatively large probe head. In addition, all commercially available fibre probes comprise metallic ferrules to position micro-optic elements at the probe head. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical apparatus comprising a disposable non-magnetic optical fibre probe for coupling light into a sample and receiving light from the sample, and a non-magnetic optical extension releasably connected to the disposable non-magnetic optical probe for transmitting light into the disposable non-magnetic optical probe and receiving light from the disposable non-magnetic optical probe. The disposable non-magnetic optical probe may be filterless. 
         [0007]    By disposable it is meant, the probe is adapted for single use applications. After a single use, the probe is intended to be discarded. The disposable probe may be supplied in a sealed, sterile package. 
         [0008]    The disposable non-magnetic optical probe may be adapted to be fitted in a non-magnetic biopsy needle. The non-magnetic biopsy needle may be provided as part of the optical apparatus. 
         [0009]    The disposable non-magnetic optical probe may comprise a first optical fibre for coupling light into the sample and at least one second optical fibre for receiving light from the sample. The first and second fibres may be connected at one end to form a probe head. A first optical connector may be provided at another end of the first optical fibre. A second optical connector may be provided at another end of the second optical fibre, wherein the first and second connectors are connectable to the non-magnetic optical extension. 
         [0010]    The first optical fibre may have a length less than a critical length to limit fluorescence generation upon optical excitation. 
         [0011]    The tips of the first fibre and second fibre may be substantially aligned. Alternatively, the tips of the first and second fibres may be offset, for example the tip of the first fibre may protrude beyond the tip(s) of the second fibre(s) or the tip(s) of the second fibre(s) may protrude beyond the tip of the first fibre. The tips may be offset by less than 10 mm. The offset may be arranged so that in use one of the first and second fibres is in contact with the sample and the other is not. 
         [0012]    The first fibre and the second fibre may be substantially parallel in the probe head. 
         [0013]    The first fibre and the second fibre may be separated, for example by a gap, in the probe head. The separation of the fibres or gap may be less than 1 mm. 
         [0014]    Ideally, the probe head has a diameter less than or equal to 2 mm. The probe head may have at least one optical component, for example one or more lenses. 
         [0015]    The non-magnetic optical extension may comprise a first optical extension fibre for transmitting light into the disposable non-magnetic optical probe, and a second optical extension fibre for receiving light from the disposable non-magnetic optical probe. 
         [0016]    The non-magnetic optical extension may comprise a first filter for filtering light from the first optical extension fibre and a second filter for filtering light before passing into the second optical extension fibre. 
         [0017]    The non-magnetic optical extension may comprise a first optical coupler for coupling light into the disposable non-magnetic optical fibre probe and a second optical coupler for coupling light from the disposable non-magnetic optical fibre probe into the second optical extension fibre. 
         [0018]    The non-magnetic optical extension may comprise at least one connector for releasably connecting the extension and the disposable non-magnetic optical probe. 
         [0019]    The non-magnetic optical extension may comprise a housing and the first filter and the second filter may be arranged in the housing. The first optical coupler and the second optical coupler may be in the housing. Within the housing, the first filter and/or the first optical coupler may be optically isolated from the second filter and/or the second optical coupler. 
         [0020]    The optical apparatus may have a total length greater than a critical length, for example greater than 5 m. 
         [0021]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a disposable non-magnetic fibre based optical probe for use in a medical device. The disposable non-magnetic optical probe may be sterile and/or provided in a sterile package. The disposable non-magnetic optical probe may be filterless. The disposable non-magnetic optical probe may comprise a first optical fibre for coupling light into a sample and at least one second optical fibre for receiving light from the sample. A first optical connector may be provided at an end of the first optical fibre. A second optical connector may be provided at an end of the second optical fibre. The first optical fibre may have a length less than a critical length to limit fluorescence generation upon optical excitation. The probe may have a probe head. Preferably, the probe head has a a diameter less than or equal to 2 mm. The probe head may have at least one optical component, for example one or more lenses. 
         [0022]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a medical system comprising a medical device having a patient area, for example an imaging medical device, and an optical apparatus connected to a light source and a detector, wherein the medical device and the optical apparatus are located in a first room or area and the light source and detector are located in a second room or area electromagnetically shielded from the first. The electromagnetic shielding may include a Faraday cage. The medical device may be an MRI scanner. The light source may be a laser. The detector may include a spectrometer, for example a Raman spectrometer. 
         [0023]    According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for performing optical spectroscopy measurements on a patient using a probe, a light source and a detector, whilst another medical device is being used, for example an imaging medical device, the method involving monitoring an area of the patient using the medical device and simultaneously moving the probe into the vicinity of the examination area, for example into contact with the examination area, illuminating the examination area using the probe and the light source, collecting light from the excitation area via the probe, and detecting collected light using the detector, wherein the medical device and the probe are located in a first room or area and the light source and detector are located in a second room or area electromagnetically shielded from the first. The medical device may be a MRI scanner. The optical spectroscopy may be Raman spectroscopy. 
         [0024]    Bringing a probe head in contact with the examination area may involve inserting a catheter/needle into the area and introducing the probe head inside the catheter/needle. 
         [0025]    According to still a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-magnetic biopsy needle comprising an elongate tubular portion open at a first end and terminated at a second end by a cutting portion, a window on a wall of the tubular portion, a light reflector inside the tubular portion and optically aligned with the window. The tubular portion may be adapted to receive a disposable non-magnetic optical probe. A transparent sleeve may be located around the window. The window may be located in a region adjacent the cutting portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    Various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a cross section of a disposable non-magnetic optical probe; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  ( a ) is a cross section of a probe head comprising a single collection fibre; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  ( b ) is a cross section of a probe head comprising five collection fibres;  FIG. 2  ( c ) is an end view of the probe head of  FIG. 2  ( b ); 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  ( a ) is a cross section of a probe head comprising a single collection fibre wherein the excitation fiber is the contact fiber; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  ( b ) is a cross section of a probe head comprising five collection fibres wherein the excitation fiber is the contact fiber; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  ( c ) is an end view of the probe head of  FIG. 3  ( b ); 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  ( a ) is a cross section of a probe head comprising a single collection fibre wherein the collection fiber is the contact fiber; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  ( b ) is a cross section of a probe head comprising five collection contact fibres; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  ( c ) is an end view of the probe head of  FIG. 4  ( b ); 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a cross section of a probe head comprising an optical window; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a cross section of a probe head comprising a GRIN lens; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a cross section of a probe head comprising two microlenses; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a cross section of a probe head comprising one microlens; 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of a system for performing optical spectroscopy in an area where a magnetic field is applied; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  ( a ) is a Raman signal of a paracetamol tablet obtained with the optical probe of  FIG. 1 , and 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  ( b ) is a Raman signal of a bovine adipose tissue obtained with the optical probe of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 11  is a profile sectional view of a non-magnetic optical biopsy needle. 
           [0044]      FIG. 12  is a photograph of the optical biopsy needle of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]      FIG. 1  shows a disposable non-magnetic optical probe  10  that has an excitation fibre  12  and a collection fibre  14 . At one end, the excitation fibre  12  and the collection fibre  14  are held together by a sleeve  16 , such as a heat shrinkable sleeve to form a probe head  18  with a diameter D. Inside the probe head  18 , the excitation fibre  12  and the collection fibre  14  are held parallel with their respective ends aligned so as to maximize collection efficiency. At the other end, both the excitation fibre  12  and the collection fibre  14  are terminated with a connector  15   a  and  15   b,  such as a SMA or FC-PC connector. All of the components of the probe  10  are non-magnetic. The disposable probe may be sterile and may be supplied in a sealed, sterile package (not shown). 
         [0046]    The maximum length L of each fibre in the optical probe  10  is limited by a level of background fluorescence generated inside the excitation fibre  12  compared with a level of signal collected by the collection fibre  14 . The fluorescence background is proportional to the level of attenuation of a given optical fibre, which itself varies with an absorption coefficient of the material of the fibre. In the case of a Raman signal emitted from a sample, the level of signal will depend on both the nature of the sample (different samples have different Raman cross sections) and the intensity of radiation used to illuminate the sample. For example, for a Raman measurement of adipose tissue acquired at 785 nm with 200 mW excitation power and an acquisition time of 1 s, the Raman signal was 100 counts for the Raman bands corresponding to methylene scissor deformations and the fluorescence background measured in the excitation optical fibre was 950 counts. In this case, to achieve a signal to background ratio of 0.1, a critical length of 1.5 m is needed. Typically, the fibres of the optical probe 10 have a length L ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 m. 
         [0047]      FIG. 2  shows two probe heads, one having a single collection fibre (a) and a second (b) having multiple collection fibres aligned around the excitation fibre, as shown in  FIG. 2  ( c ), and bundled together at the distal end opposite the probe head into an optical connector. The tip of the probe head could be polished or cleaved at an angle so that the excitation and collection cones are side looking. Such geometry could be useful when it is necessary to scan tissue surfaces when the probe is inserted into a tube like structure such as an artery. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  ( a ) shows a probe head that has an excitation fibre  12  that is longer than the collection fibre  14 , resulting in an excitation fibre  12  that protrudes beyond the tip of the collection fibre  14  at the end of the probe head. The distance between the tip of the excitation fibre and the tip of the collection fibre may be 3 to 10 mm. In this case, the excitation fibre  12  is shown in contact with a sample  17 . The collection fibre  14  is not in contact with the sample  17 , but instead is spaced apart from the sample  17 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  ( b ) shows a probe head having an excitation fibre surrounded by five collection fibres. In this example each one of the five collection fibres has a length that is shorter than the length of the central excitation fibre, resulting in an excitation fibre that protrudes at the tip of the probe head. The distance between the tip of the excitation fibre and the tip of the collection fibres may be in the range of 3 to 10 mm. In this case, the excitation fibre  12  is shown in contact with a sample  17 . The collection fibres  14  are not in contact with the sample  17 , but instead are all spaced apart from the sample  17 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 4  ( a ) shows a probe head having an excitation fibre that is shorter than the collection fibre, resulting in a collection fibre that protrudes beyond the end of the excitation fibre at the end of the probe head. The distance between the tip of the excitation fibre and the tip of the collection fibre may be in the range 3 to 10 mm. In this case, the collection fibre  14  is shown in contact with a sample  17 . The excitation fibre  12  is not in contact with the sample  17 , but instead is spaced apart from the sample  17 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  ( b ) shows a probe head having a central excitation fibre surrounded by five collection fibres. Each of the five collection fibres has the same length, and each is longer than the central excitation fibre. In this case, the end of the probe has a U-shaped lateral profile. The distance between the tip of the excitation fibre and the tips of the collection fibres may be in the range 3 to 10 mm. In this case, the collection fibres  14  are in contact with a sample  17 . The excitation fibre  12  is not in contact with the sample  17 , but instead is spaced apart from the sample  17 . 
         [0052]    The probe head  18  may also contain optical components in order to suit specific applications. For example, the probe head may comprise micro-lenses such as a grin lens assembly, a spherical lens, a ball lens or waveguides, in order to achieve optical focussing or divergence or to enhance the collection efficiency of the probe. 
         [0053]    The probe head  18  may be terminated with a glass window to make the probe a contact probe. However, the optical components of the probe head must not contain any metallic substance even if non-ferromagnetic, as this would create artefact in the magnetic resonance images. In addition, to prevent unwanted RF heating, the length of these components should be less than a critical value calculated as a function of the radio frequency (RF) signal produced during MR image acquisition. The critical length for RF heating is calculated as half the wavelength of the RF signal in tissue. In the case of adipose tissue the RF signal has a wavelength of 26 cm, leading to a critical length for the optical components of 13 cm. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show two different probe heads modified to operate as contact probes. In  FIG. 5 , the probe head is terminated with an optical window  20  that can be put in direct contact with a sample  17 . In  FIG. 6 , the probe head is terminated with a GRIN lens  21 . The lens can be put in direct contact with the sample  17  and can also be used to enhance the collection efficiency of the probe. 
         [0055]      FIG. 7  shows a probe head, in which the respective ends of each of the excitation fibre  12  and collection fibre  14  are terminated with a pair of microlenses  22   a  and  22   b.    FIG. 8  shows a probe head terminated with a single microlens  23  that covers the tips of the excitation and collection fibres. In both  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the microlenses may be spherical lenses or ball lenses selected to suit specific applications. 
         [0056]    In all cases, the probe head  18  of the disposable optical probe  10  preferably has a diameter less than 2 mm. This allows the probe to be inserted into a surgical device  59  such as biopsy needle or a catheter. The collection and emission fibres may be separated by typically less than 1 mm. For example, the fibres may be separated by a gap of less than 1 mm. 
         [0057]      FIG. 9  shows an optical system  30  implemented in an MRI room  56  where an MRI scanner  58  generates a magnetic field. The optical system  30  comprises a laser  34  and a spectrometer  38  both located inside a control room  35  that is electromagnetically shielded from the MRI room  56 , as well as a non-magnetic optical extension  32  and a non-magnetic disposable optical probe  10 , both located inside the MRI room  56 . Two Faraday cage ports  60   a  and  60   b  are provided between the control room  35  and the MRI room  56 . The non-magnetic disposable optical  10  probe may be any of the probes described above. The non-magnetic optical extension comprises first and second optical fibre pigtails  42  and  50  and a filtering unit  36 . 
         [0058]    The filtering unit  36  has an excitation filtering/coupling module arranged between input port  41  and output port  43  and a collection filtering/coupling module arranged between input port  49  and output port  51 . Within the housing, the excitation filtering/coupling module and output the collection filtering/coupling module are optically isolated from each other. The excitation filtering/coupling module comprises a pair of lenses  44   a  and  44   b  for collimation and refocusing and an excitation filter  46 , for example a laser line filter, between the two lenses  44   a  and  44   b.  The collection filtering/coupling module has a pair of lenses  52   a  and  52   b  for collimation and refocusing and a collection filter  54  for example an edge filter between the two lenses  52   a  and  52   b.    
         [0059]    The first fibre pigtail  42  has an optical connector  40  at a first end and a length of exposed fibre at a second end. The first fibre pigtail is connected at the second end to the laser  34  via Faraday cage port  60   a  and at the first end to the filtering unit  36  via input port  41  by connector  40 . The second fibre pigtail  50  has an optical connector  48  at a first end and a length of exposed fibre at a second end. The second fibre pigtail  50  is connected at the second end to the spectrometer  38  via Faraday cage port  60   b  and at the first end to the filtering unit  36  via output port  51  by connector  48 . Alternatively, the first and second fibre pigtails may be directly secured to the filtering unit  36 , i.e. without the use of connector/port assembly. In this case, each fibre may be secured permanently to the filtering unit  36 . 
         [0060]    The excitation fibre  12  of the non-magnetic disposable optical probe  10  is connected to the filtering unit  36  via output port  43  by connector  15   b.  The collection fibre/bundle  14  of the optical probe  10  is connected to the filtering unit  36  via input port  49  by connector  15   a.    
         [0061]    The length of the first and second fibre pigtails  42 ,  50  is chosen to be sufficiently long to bring the optical probe in the proximity of the MRI scanner  58 . The first fibre pigtail  42  is less than 5 m long and has a 200 μm diameter. The second fibre pigtail 50 is less than 5 m long and has a 500 μm diameter. All the components of the optical system  30 , such as lens mounts, fibre adaptors and cage systems are made of paramagnetic materials, although diamagnetic materials or any non-magnetic materials could equally be used. 
         [0062]    The optical system  30  can be used to capture a Raman signal from patient tissue. For example, the system can be used to capture a Raman signal from a biopsy sample  60  extracted during interventional MRI. During such intervention, the patient is subjected to a magnetic field strength in the region of 1.5 to 3 Tesla. A biopsy needle  59  is introduced inside the patient&#39;s body  57 . The needle  59  is guided toward an area that requires examination by following the magnetic resonance images obtained by the MRI scanner  58 . The optical probe  10  is inserted into the biopsy needle  59 . Upon activation of the biopsy needle  59  a tissue sample enters the needle&#39;s reservoir and comes into contact with the probe head  18 . 
         [0063]    Once the sample is in contact with the probe head, the laser  34  emits a beam at an excitation wavelength suitable for Raman spectroscopy measurement. The excitation beam propagates through the first pigtail fibre  42  and is directed onto the excitation filtering/coupling module of the filtering unit  36 , where the beam is collimated, filtered by the filter  46  to remove background fluorescence and focused onto the excitation fibre  12 . The excitation fibre  12  delivers the excitation beam to the apex of the probe head  18  and into the sample  60 , causing Raman scattering inside the sample  60 . The probe head  18  then collects the back-scattered photons (which include Raman scattered photons) from the sample  60  via the collection fibre  14 . The collected light is collimated, filtered by the edge filter  54  to remove out Rayleigh scattered photons and focused onto the second pig tail  50  by the collection filtering/coupling module of the filtering unit  36 . The collected light is directed to the Raman spectrometer  38  where a Raman spectrum of the sample is obtained and analysed. The Raman signal can reveal the presence of cancerous tissues. 
         [0064]    Alternatively, rather than capturing a Raman signal from a biopsy sample, the probe head could be inserted into a catheter/endoscope and brought into contact with internal tissues. In this case, the tissue is analysed locally by Raman spectroscopy. 
         [0065]    When using a fibre based probe for an interventional procedure, it is important to keep the probe head  18  sterile. Disposable probes have to be used, unless it is possible to sterilize the whole probe after each procedure. The use of micro-optic filtering components makes the cost of commercially available fibre Raman probes too expensive to be disposable. However, in the present invention, since there are no filtering elements at the tip of the fibre, it is possible make the probe  10  disposable. 
         [0066]    The collection efficiency of the probe was tested on various samples.  FIG. 10   a  shows a raw Raman spectrum acquired from a paracetamol tablet and  FIG. 10   b  shows a raw Raman spectrum acquired from bovine adipose tissue. The measurements were obtained with 1 s acquisition time and with 200 mW excitation power and an excitation wavelength at 785 nm. It can be observed from both samples that the major Raman peaks are visible in the spectra. The obtained signal was benchmarked with a commercial fibre Raman probe with fibre pigtail length 5 m and the signal to background ratio was found comparable. 
         [0067]    The fibre Raman probe described above can be used during MRI guided interventional procedures such as needle biopsy or angioplasty. The probe is adapted to be compatible with MR environment. However, the length of the probe and the disposable probe head makes the design compatible for non-MR surgical environments. 
         [0068]      FIG. 11  shows a magnetic resonance (MR) compatible optical biopsy needle  70 . The needle has a tube  72  extending between a first end and a second end and forming a bore  74 . Inside the bore  74  is a disposable non-magnetic optical probe  10 . The tube  72  is open at the first end and terminated at the second end by a tip  76  for cutting tissue. A window  78  is located on the tube wall at the second end. A micro-prism  80  is fixed inside the bore  74  at a location lying above the tip  76  and positioned such that light emanating from the probe  10  is directed towards the optical window  78  by the prism  80 . A transparent heat shrinkable sleeve  82  sits at the second end of the needle  70  around the window  78  and is used to avoid contamination of the optical components during guidance of the needle through tissue. The non-magnetic optical probe  10  is positioned in such a way that the optimal working distance of the probe matches the distance between the tip of the probe  10  and the surface of the protective sheath  82 . In this configuration the biopsy needle can operate in contact mode. All of the components of the optical biopsy needle  70  are non-magnetic.  FIG. 12  shows a photograph of a biopsy needle  70  next to a one pound coin. 
         [0069]    A skilled person will appreciate that variations of the disclosed arrangements are possible without departing from the invention. For example the optical probe and optical system described above are not limited to Raman spectroscopy applications and could be modified to accommodate other type of optical spectroscopy techniques, such as nonlinear spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy etc. Also, the disposable non-magnetic optical probe may be non-metallic, as well as non-magnetic. Accordingly, the above description of the specific embodiment is made by way of example only and not for the purposes of limitation. It will be clear to the skilled person that minor modifications may be made without significant changes to the operation described.