小乳癌边缘在体检测用超小内窥探针的光学模型及传光特性

Early detection of breast cancer can greatly improve its curative rate. However, in-vivo precision detection on the microstructure of minor breast cancer tumors whose margins are full of irregular spicule signs is a worldwide problem. A new type of ultra-small endoscopic probe, combining the technology of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), is investigated in this project to seek new ways for precision detection of minor breast cancer. The key factors of ultra-small endoscopic probe are investigated in the project, including optical model and light transmission characteristics. The study is mainly focused on: 1. An ultra-small endoscopic probe model is established based on the principle of Fizeau interferometer and self-focusing optical lens. Light transmission performance of the probe can be improved by means of coating reflective film, which functions as an aperture diaphragm, on the center edge of the output end face of the self-focusing optical lens. 2. The structure parameters of the ultra-small endoscopic probe and their matching methods can be designed based on the investigation of beam propagation property of the ultra-small endoscopic probe and its influence factors. 3. The method, combining the focusing performance measurement and numerical simulation, is proposed to evaluate the beam parameters at any location along the direction of light propagation throughout the probe. 4. The fabrication method of the ultra-small endoscopic probe is investigated and the integration of probe with the polarization OCT system makes it possible to carry out in-vivo detection with the sample of minor breast cancer tumors and analyze the characteristics. As a result, in the academic field, a new solution is provided for in-vivo precision detection of irregular margins of minor breast cancer tumors. In the clinical practice, this project provides a novel technique for early diagnosis of breast cancer and breast-conserving surgery, and accurate detection of other cancer tumors.

乳腺癌的早期发现能够大幅度提高其治愈率，但小乳癌边缘呈不规则的毛刺征，对其微细结构进行在体精确检测一直是世界难题，本项目研究一种新型的超小内窥探针，结合OCT技术寻求解决该问题的新途径。本项目研究新型超小内窥探针的光学模型及传光特性等关键问题，主要内容包括：1. 建立基于自聚焦光纤镜头和斐索干涉仪原理的超小内窥探针模型，通过对自聚焦光纤镜头输出端面的中心边缘镀反射膜，用作孔径光阑提高探针的传光性能；2. 研究超小内窥探针的传光特性及影响因素，设计探针的结构参数及其匹配方法；3. 研究聚焦性能测试与数值仿真相结合的方法，评估光束通过探针任一位置的传光特性; 4. 研究超小内窥探针的制作方法，将探针样品与光纤偏振OCT系统结合，对小乳癌边缘进行在体实验检测和特征分析。在学术上为解决小乳癌不规则边缘的在体精确检测难题提供新方法；在临床上为乳腺癌的早期确诊、保乳手术及其它癌症的精确检测提供新技术。

乳腺癌是严重威胁女性健康的一种恶性肿瘤，早期确诊和外科手术是提高其治愈率的关键。但癌症在早期病灶很小，具有浸润性生长的特点，肿瘤边缘非常细小、模糊、不规则，对其进行精确检测一直是乳腺癌早期确诊和外科手术中的关键难题。光学相干层析技术具有微米级的高分辨力，它以红外光波为能量载体，生物组织的非透明性和高散射性使其探测深度一般限于1-3mm。研究基于微小光学内窥探头的OCT检测技术，是充分利用OCT高分辨力的优点并克服探测深度局限的有效手段。由单模光纤、无芯光纤隔片和自聚焦光纤镜头依次熔接构成的全光纤型超小自聚焦光纤探头，因具有优越的光学聚焦性能和生物相容性好等优点，在乳腺癌等肿瘤早期内窥检测技术方面具有广阔的应用前景。本项目研究基于超小自聚焦光纤探头的新型超小内窥探针的光学模型及传光特性等关键问题，主要内容包括：1.基于超小自聚焦光纤探头和斐索干涉仪原理，建立了一种新型超小光纤内窥探针的光学模型，研究揭示了该探针模型的传光特性规律及影响因素；2.研究了超小自聚焦光纤探头的制作工艺，利用高精度显微技术和精密位移调整机构，试制了高精度光纤切割-熔接一体机；3.研究了基于高精度光束质量分析仪和无限远光学变换系统的非接触式检测方法，试制了微小光斑质量参数非接触检测仪，结合数值分析方法实现了超小自聚焦光纤探头传光特性的性能评估；4.研制了总长度小于1.0mm的超小自聚焦光纤探头样品，其裸纤直径约125μm，聚焦工作距离大于0.6mm，聚焦光斑尺寸小于30μm，并利用医用针孔对超小自聚焦光纤探头样品进行了封装；5.将封装好的超小自聚焦光纤探头样品与光纤偏振OCT技术结合，搭建了扫频OCT成像检测实验系统，先后以不同的生物组织样品进行了成像检测实验，层析成像分辨率达14.8μm，检验了所研究的新型OCT成像系统的优越性能。本项目研究及成果为解决小乳癌不规则边缘的在体精确检测难题提供了新方法，为乳腺癌的早期确诊、保乳手术及其它癌症的精确检测提供了新技术。