title: Feasibility of a hybrid elastographic-microfluidic device to rapidly process and assess pancreatic cancer biopsies for pathologists.
abstract: In this study, our collaborative research group explored the possibility of incorporating ultrasound elastography technology with a microfluidic device that is designed to prepare fine needle core biopsies (CBs; L=0.5-2.0 cm, D=0.4-1.2 mm) for pancreatic cancer diagnosis. For the first time, elastographic techniques were employed to measure shear wave velocity in fresh (3.7 m/s) and formalin-fixed (14.7 m/s) pancreatic CBs. Shear wave velocity did not vary whether fixed specimens were free on a microscope slide, or constrained within glass microfluidic channels: 11.5±1.9 v. 11.8±2.1 m/s. 4% agarose inclusions were also embedded within 1% agarose hydrogels to simulate cysts, neoplastic, or necrotic tissue within CBs. Inclusions were successfully visualized and measured using optical coherence elastography. These preliminary experiments demonstrate in a rudimentary fashion that elastographic measurements of pancreatic CBs may be incorporated with our microfluidic device. The rapid mapping of CB stiffness may provide qualitative spatial information for pathologists to determine a more accurate diagnosis for patients.
authors.affiliation: Primary appointment in UW Mechanical Engineering.
authors.forename: Ronnie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Primary appointment in UW Bioengineering, Seattle, WA 98195 USA.
authors.forename: Thu-Mai
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Primary appointment in UW Mechanical Engineering.
authors.forename: Saniel D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Primary appointment in UW Bioengineering, Seattle, WA 98195 USA.
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.affiliation: Primary appointment in UW Bioengineering, Seattle, WA 98195 USA.
authors.forename: Ruikang K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Primary appointment in UW Mechanical Engineering.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Seibel