Patent Abstract:
an exemplary system can be provided for obtaining information associated with at least one tissue . the exemplary system can include at least one waveguide first arrangement which can provide at least one first radiation to the tissue , and which can receive at least one optical second radiation from the at least one tissue . further , at least one configuration can be provided that can transceive at least one electrical signal to and from at least one portion of the system . in addition , at least one computing second arrangement can be provided which may configured to obtain the information based on the second radiation and data corresponding to the electrical signal . the data can comprise a position of the portion .

Detailed Description:
fig1 ( a ) illustrates a schematic diagram for a distal - end of an oct smart needle arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure . for example , the illustrated oct arrangement can be provided as a catheter insert , and can include an imaging core housed inside a transparent polyimide ( e . g ., catheter ) sheath 3 . the imaging core consists of an optical fiber imaging probe 1 and a nitinol drive shaft 2 . the exemplary catheter insert can slide freely within the needle 4 , including , but not limited to , e . g ., standard tbna needles . fig1 ( b ) is a schematic diagram for a distal - end of an oct smart needle arrangement with a cutting tip . for example , the cutting tip can be used to aid with a penetration of tissue by the oct catheter . fig1 ( c ) illustrates a photograph of an exemplary flexible oct catheter insert of the needle illustrated in fig1 ( a ); the exemplary oct smart needle arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can come into contact with tissue during imaging . fig2 shows a schematic diagram of the exemplary smart needle arrangement illustrated in fig1 ( b ) with a hydrophilic coating or material 20 provided on the catheter sheath and the needle 4 . for example , the use of the hydrophilic coating 20 can reduce friction between the needle 4 , catheter sheath 3 , and tissue during the tissue penetration and imaging . fig3 ( a )- 3 ( c ) show illustrations of functional diagrams of the exemplary oct smart needle arrangement ( s ) in operation , and demonstrate the functionality of the oct smart needle arrangement . as an initial matter , the exemplary needle can be placed in the tissue ( see fig3 ( a )). the oct catheter can be advanced within the needle ( see fig3 ( b )). the needle can then be withdrawn , thus exposing the oct catheter for imaging ( see fig3 ( c )). exemplary images can be collected and assessed to determine if the needle is placed optimally for tissue biopsy . for example , if the needle is not optimally placed for tissue acquisition , then the oct catheter can be retracted , and the needle may be repositioned . if the needle is optimally placed , the oct catheter can be removed from the needle bore , and the tissue biopsy can be collected with the needle . fig4 ( a ) is a schematic diagram for a distal - end of another oct smart needle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure , which has separate oct ( e . g ., open bore ) needle 45 and tissue acquisition needle bore ( s )/ channel ( s ) 43 . for example , the needle 44 can be directed toward the tissue of interest . a separate oct needle 45 can be advanced into the tissues of interest . images can be collected via an optical fiber 41 ( which can be encased by , e . g ., metallic coating or hypertube 42 ) and assessed to determine if the needle 45 is placed optimally for the tissue biopsy . if the needle 45 is not optimally placed for tissue acquisition , then the oct catheter can be retracted , and the needle 45 is repositioned . if the needle 45 is optimally placed , the oct catheter is retracted and the larger needle 44 is advanced to collect a tissue biopsy . this exemplary configuration facilitates a collection of the tissue that is provided immediately adjacent to the oct imaging field , and prevents damage of biopsied tissue by the oct probe . fig4 ( b ) shows a schematic diagram for a distal - end of an oct smart needle arrangement according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which is provided in an encasing probe 45 ′ with an independent dual bore needle 44 ′ in addition to another need that is situated parallel thereto . independent bores ( e . g ., including the channel / bore 43 ) have independent actuation capabilities . for example , the exemplary oct probe arrangement shown in fig4 ( b ) can be actuated and images are collected via the optical fiber 41 to assess the tissue localization . if the exemplary probe is optimally placed to collect tissue , the independent needle can be actuated for tissue collection parallel to the oct probe . this design facilitates a collection of the tissue situated immediately adjacent to the oct imaging field , and can reduce or even prevents damage of the biopsied tissue by the exemplary oct probe . fig5 ( a ) illustrates is a schematic diagram for a distal - end of an oct smart forceps arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure , which include an independent oct needle and biopsy forceps arrangement 53 . for example , the forceps arrangement 53 can be placed at or near the region of interest . the exemplary oct probe can then penetrate the tissue of interest , and oct images are collected via an optical fiber 51 ( which can be encased by , e . g ., metallic coating or hypertube 52 ). if the tissue imaged is satisfactory for biopsy , the exemplary oct probe can be retracted and a forceps biopsy is collected . if the tissue is not satisfactory for biopsy , the forceps arrangement 53 ( or any portion thereof , including individual forceps ) can be repositioned , and the procedure is repeated as described above . fig5 ( b ) shows a schematic diagram for a distal - end of another oct smart forceps arrangement according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure . the exemplary arrangement of fig5 ( b ) includes forceps 53 , as well as at least one independently actuating oct smart needle 55 ( which can be an open bore needle ) for imaging and tissue acquisition , and independently actuating biopsy forceps arrangement 56 for tissue acquisition . in addition , a catheter sheath 54 ( enclosing a further needle ) can be slidably provided within the oct smart needle 55 . for example , the forceps arrangement 56 ( or any portion thereof ) can be placed in a region of interest . the exemplary oct probe can then penetrate the tissue of interest , and oct images are collected via the optical fiber 51 . if the tissue imaged is satisfactory for biopsy , the exemplary oct probe ( including the oct smart needle 55 ) can be refracted . this exemplary arrangement can facilitate both needle aspiration and forceps biopsy , and one or both mechanisms can be utilized to obtain tissue . fig6 ( a ) and 6 ( b ) shows illustrations of exemplary cross - sectional and longitudinal oct images , respectively , of an inflated swine lung parenchyma obtained with the exemplary oct imaging needle . both the cross - sectional images ( shown in fig6 ( a )) and the longitudinal images ( shown in fig6 ( b )) illustrate a clear visualization of alveoli with a fine detail . fig7 ( a ) shows a schematic diagram for a distal - end of an em - oct catheter arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure . as shown in fig7 ( a ), a plurality of sensors ( e . g ., a primary sensor 75 , a wire - to sensor 76 , and a wire - from sensor 77 ) are incorporated into the exemplary arrangement . for example , the exemplary oct arrangement of fig7 ( a ) can be used for positional tracking and guidance to tissues of interest . when the exemplary oct arrangement has been guided to the tissue of interest with the primary sensor 75 ( or with one or both the other sensors 76 , 77 ), the needle 4 can be penetrated into the tissue . the needle 4 can be retracted to expose the oct catheter . oct imaging can be collected via the optical fiber 1 which are at or near the adjacent tissues . if the tissue is satisfactory for biopsy , the oct catheter can be retracted and a needle biopsy / aspiration can be performed . fig7 ( b ) illustrates a schematic diagram for a distal - end of another em - oct catheter arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure , in which a metallic coating or material surrounding an optical fiber 1 ′ can be used for the electrical conductance . the exemplary arrangement of fig7 ( b ) can also include a plurality of sensors ( e . g ., a primary sensor 75 , a combined wire - to / wire - from sensor 8 ). the operation of the exemplary arrangement of fig7 ( b ) is similar to that of fig7 ( a ). fig7 ( c ) shows a schematic diagram for a distal - end of still another em - oct catheter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure , which includes an electrically conducting drive shaft 2 ′. the operation of the exemplary arrangement of fig7 ( c ) is similar to that of fig7 ( a ). fig7 ( d ) illustrates a schematic diagram for a distal - end of still another em - oct catheter arrangement according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure , where a metallic coating or material surrounding the optical fiber 1 ′ can be used for an electrical conductance and a drive shaft 2 is used for electrical conductance . for example , this exemplary arrangement of fig7 ( d ) can utilize the optical fiber 1 ′ and / or the drive shaft 2 ′ ( which can be the electrically conducting drive shaft ) to achieve electrical conductance to and / or from the exemplary sensor 75 . the operation of the exemplary arrangement of fig7 ( d ) is similar to that of fig7 ( b ). for example , the exemplary sensor ( s ) 75 , 76 . 77 , 78 shown in fig7 ( a )- 7 ( d ), as applicable can be used to collect and assess information regarding , e . g ., a spatial orientation of the exemplary probe , and generate three - dimensional image reconstruction ( s ) of the tissue microstructure . to demonstrate the feasibility and image quality of the exemplary oct smart needle , freshly excised lungs from swine have been imaged . an endotracheal tube was inserted and inflated in the trachea and the lungs were subsequently inflated to a pressure of 20 cmh2o . a bronchoscope ( 1970k , pentax , japan ) was then inserted into the endotracheal tube and the airways were examined . following identification of a target site , the transbronchial needle was inserted into the working channel of the bronchoscope and was maneuvered to puncture the airway wall and enter the parenchyma , as shown in fig3 ( a ). the tbna stylet was subsequently withdrawn and was replaced with the oct catheter , as shown in fig3 ( b ). the oct catheter was locked onto the proximal end of the tbna needle via a luer lock . when the catheter was advanced to the distal end of the needle , the tbna needle was withdrawn ˜ 1 - 2 cm to expose the oct catheter for imaging , as shown in fig3 ( c ). following imaging with the oct catheter still in place , the tbna needle was re - advanced over the catheter to the initial position , the oct catheter was then unlocked and removed from the tbna needle , and an aspirate or core biopsy obtained for diagnosis . this procedure ensures that the tbna needle remains within the target tissue for biopsy acquisition following oct imaging . imaging of the parenchyma was successfully performed at a number of locations chosen throughout the tracheobronchial tree including the very peripheral regions of the lung . fig6 ( a ) and 6 ( b ) illustrate exemplary oct images of the lung parenchyma surrounding the needle in logarithmic gray scale . an exemplary cross - sectional oct image ( see fig6 ( a )) and a corresponding longitudinal reslice ( see fig6 ( b )) of the volumetric oct data ( e . g ., obtained from the position indicated with a light dotted line illustrated in fig6 ( a )) demonstrates that the oct smart needle can clearly resolve alveoli ( arrows ) within the lung parenchyma . a flexible , narrow diameter oct smart catheter can be provided that can facilitate an acquisition of high - resolution oct images of the peripheral lung . the feasibility and usability of the oct smart needle has been successfully demonstrated on freshly excised inflated swine lungs . the transbronchial imaging procedure was carried out according to standard clinical bronchoscopy transbronchial needle placement procedures . the experimental results suggest that the oct smart needle may be a useful tool for investigating and potentially increasing the diagnostic yield of peripheral pulmonary lesions . while the oct smart needle catheter presented in this manuscript was designed primarily for pulmonary use , the basic design may additionally be useful for other organs systems where needle aspiration or core biopsy procedures are routinely performed . although the current catheter sheath is suitably flexible , there is a small risk that it may be damaged or sheared off by the sharp aspiration needle . further exemplary oct smart needle designs can include rigid hypodermic tubing into the distal portion of the driveshaft to overcome this issue without the need to dull the needle tip . the current exemplary oct imaging needle facilitates , e . g ., side - viewing to provide volumetric assessment of the surrounding tissue . a forward - imaging catheter design can be provided to facilitate an assessment of the tissue prior to positioning the needle within the lesion . this may assist with a guide needle placement to the target tissue region of interest and to avoid major blood vessels thereby reducing blood contamination in the oct images . forward - imaging catheters have been developed based on the use of coherent fiber bundles [ see ref . 35 ], paired angled grin lenses [ see ref . 36 ], a grin rod [ see ref . 37 ] and a single - body lensed - fiber design [ see ref . 38 ]. however , such previously - described catheter designs are difficult to miniaturize while simultaneously providing a sufficiently large imaging field of view . using the exemplary oct imaging needle described herein can provide a beneficial use of , e . g ., a smart needle by confirming the placement of the biopsy needle within a peripheral pulmonary lesion prior to biopsy , and can facilitate a real - time optical diagnosis of the lesion . while the oct smart needle has been described herein for pulmonary use , the exemplary design can also be useful for other organ systems where fna or core biopsy procedures are routinely performed . the foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure . various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein . indeed , the arrangements , systems and methods according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with and / or implement any oct system , ofdi system , sd - oct system or other imaging systems , and for example with those described in international patent application pct / us2004 / 029148 , filed sep . 8 , 2004 which published as international patent publication no . wo 2005 / 047813 on may 26 , 2005 , u . s . patent application ser . no . 11 / 266 , 779 , filed nov . 2 , 2005 which published as u . s . patent publication no . 2006 / 0093276 on may 4 , 2006 , and u . s . patent application ser . no . 10 / 501 , 276 , filed jul . 9 , 2004 which published as u . s . patent publication no . 2005 / 0018201 on jan . 27 , 2005 , and u . s . patent publication no . 2002 / 0122246 , published on may 9 , 2002 , the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties . it will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems , arrangements , and procedures which , although not explicitly shown or described herein , embody the principles of the disclosure and can be thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure . in addition , all publications and references referred to above can be incorporated herein by reference in their entireties . it should be understood that the exemplary procedures described herein can be stored on any computer accessible medium , including a hard drive , ram , rom , removable disks , cd - 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