Optical Imaging Moving into New Application Areas

Current optical imaging technologies provide reproducible, accurate, objective, quantitative evaluation of tissue structures. The scope of applications is geared to extend quickly from current base of ophthalmology, cardiology, neurology, and gastroenterology. As the distinct progress in optical imaging techniques seen in recent years is instigating a new range of business possibilities, there are still areas to improve, according to recent market research.

Analysis from Frost & Sullivan’s (Mountain View, CA, USA), an international growth consultancy firm, revealed that optical imaging at both the macro and micro levels is being used intensively by clinicians for diagnosis and treatment-specific applications. Innovative advances in optics, data acquisition methods, and image processing software have driven the advances in optical imaging technologies, all of which can be used to image tissues and other biologic entities with enhanced contrast and resolution capabilities.

“Technology trends are moving from conventional confocal microscopy to optical coherence tomography [OCT], with the adoption of newer technologies such as adaptive optics and polarization imaging in ophthalmology,” said technical insights senior research analyst Prasanna Vadhana Kannan. “Several start-ups are developing innovative technologies, most of which are in the near completion and advanced phases of clinical approval in the optical imaging market.”

OCT has gained a lot of multidisciplinary research interest in recent years as a noninvasive optical imaging technique that can be used to perform cross-sectional in situ imaging of microstructures in biologic tissues. With OCT technology showing rapid progress, it is believed that many commercial devices addressing a range of clinical applications could hit the market over the next four to five years.

“OCT is truly an easy-to-use modality that provides digital cellular 2D and 3D imaging solutions for clinical and research pathology lab application needs on fixed or fresh tissue,” said Prasanna Kannan. “Further refinement could result in achieving significantly higher resolution capabilities and better differentiation of cancerous lesions, embryology studies, and stem cells [involving therapeutics research].”

However, the restricted availability of validated imaging parameters and low end-user awareness could restrict the use of optical imaging technologies in research-specific applications. Moreover, the extent for alternative techniques usage and their solid presence (involving digital radiography, nuclear imaging techniques, and hybrid imaging) is likely to discourage manufacturers from investing significantly in the development of innovative optical imaging technology.

“From a technical standpoint, the key challenge is to address issues related to frozen sections arising from tissue processing steps,” said Ms. Kannan. “This often results in freezing artifacts, which causes physical destruction of the structural integrity of tissues.”

In spite of such challenges, multimodality imaging using optical imaging basics is helping fuel the development of new therapeutics and changing the course of patient management in debilitating disease care.

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