Development of an indigenous imaging-based intraoperative probe for brain tumour delineation

The research aims to develop a novel brain tumour margin delineation probe to accurately identify tumour margins using a combination of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and ultrasoundbased imaging techniques.

The proposed probe will provide improved imaging resolution and accuracy compared to the current state-of-the-art by combining EIT and ultrasound imaging, which provide complementary information about the tissue structure and electrical conductivity.

The indigenously developed EIT system will include 2D surface and 3D subsurface imaging capabilities, potentially offering even greater accuracy than existing EIT systems.

The proposed ultrasound imaging will involve novel elastography and Hermite-scan techniques with microfabricated ultrasound transducer arrays developed for the miniaturisation of the probe.

The research will combine expertise in EIT, electronic system design and instrumentation, robotics, ultrasound imaging, microfabrication technologies, and clinical validation.

The efficacy of the probe will be evaluated through ex vivo tissue characterisation and animal experiments using tumour models. The probe will be designed to meet clinical requirements with the collaboration of neurosurgeons and neurooncologists.

The outcomes will lead to improved brain tumour imaging accuracy and resolution and will provide clinicians with a reliable tool for accurately identifying tumour margins, reducing the chances of incomplete removal, and ultimately improving patient outcomes.