The best initial treatment for brain tumor patients is for a neurosurgeon to remove the most tumor they can while not damaging normal brain. However, neurosurgeons are unable to achieve this goal, even though they are equipped with technologies to help them see tumor and normal brain better. Just like each person has a unique 'fingerprint', tumor and normal tissues also have a 'fingerprint' based on how light and sound waves interact with them. There does not exist a technology able to read and interpret this 'fingerprint' that could help distinguish between normal and tumor tissues. Here we will create a transformative new imaging technology we call intraoperative photoacoustic and ultraso...

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The best initial treatment for brain tumor patients is for a neurosurgeon to remove the most tumor they can while not damaging normal brain. However, neurosurgeons are unable to achieve this goal, even though they are equipped with technologies to help them see tumor and normal brain better. Just like each person has a unique 'fingerprint', tumor and normal tissues also have a 'fingerprint' based on how light and sound waves interact with them. There does not exist a technology able to read and interpret this 'fingerprint' that could help distinguish between normal and tumor tissues. Here we will create a transformative new imaging technology we call intraoperative photoacoustic and ultrasound tomography (iPAUST) that relies on special lighting and detectors to identify these 'fingerprint' signals of light and sound that are unique to each tissue. Thus, iPAUST will help neurosurgeons visualize and distinguish tumor tissue from normal brain tissue, allowing them to make sure that all the tumor is successfully removed during surgery while preserving healthy brain. This innovation will lead to better surgical outcomes and improved quality of life for patients. This project includes all steps from building the imaging technology, testing algorithms, and running experiments to make sure the system is optimized for use in animals. Then, once we have proven that iPAUST is safe and performs better than the best clinical tool used by surgeons through rigorous animal testing, we will lead a human clinical trial where we will demonstrate that iPAUST is safe for use in clinical brain tumor surgeries and more importantly, that it can help visualize normal brain from tumor better than current state of the art. While the current project is focused on neurosurgery, iPAUST has the potential to revolutionize many other cancer surgeries including breast and lung, by helping surgeons see tumors during surgery better, and ultimately help patients have longer and better lives.

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