title: Flexible transbronchial optical frequency domain imaging smart needle for biopsy guidance.
abstract: Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a procedure routinely performed to diagnose peripheral pulmonary lesions. However, TBNA is associated with a low diagnostic yield due to inappropriate needle placement. We have developed a flexible transbronchial optical frequency domain imaging (TB-OFDI) catheter that functions as a "smart needle" to confirm the needle placement within the target lesion prior to biopsy. The TB-OFDI smart needle consists of a flexible and removable OFDI catheter (430 µm dia.) that operates within a standard 21-gauge TBNA needle. The OFDI imaging core is based on an angle polished ball lens design with a working distance of 160 µm from the catheter sheath and a spot size of 25 µm. To demonstrate the potential of the TB-OFDI smart needle for transbronchial imaging, an inflated excised swine lung was imaged through a standard bronchoscope. Cross-sectional and longitudinal OFDI results reveal the detailed network of alveoli in the lung parenchyma suggesting that the TB-OFDI smart needle may be a useful tool for guiding biopsy acquisition to increase the diagnostic yield.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shishkov
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chee
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Applegate
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Bouma
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Suter