This technology is a live imaging device for detecting olfactory epithelial tissue during endoscopic procedures of the head and neck that can be used to accurately identify and avoid damage to the olfactory epithelium in real-time.
During sinus, head, and neck surgeries, patients may suffer from surgery-induced injury of the olfactory epithelium (OE), resulting in loss of smell and decreased quality of life. This results from the inability to differentiate the OE from other mucosal layers. Current methods to detect the OE during surgical procedures rely on intravenous delivery of labeling probes, which can be time-consuming during a live endoscopic procedure.
This technology is a spectral imaging system that allows for proper identification of the olfactory epithelium (OE) during endoscopic surgery. Emission spectra of the OE can be used to differentiate it from surrounding tissue. As such, the technology equips existing endoscopic telescopes with the capability of detecting key spectral regions of the OE in real-time. The spectral mapping can be superimposed onto live feeds from the endoscope, allowing clinicians to identify and avoid damage to the OE during live surgical procedures.
IR CU25003
Licensing Contact: Sara Gusik
