September 2024

NEUROSCIENCES

LASER-IMAGING TECHNOLOGY SPEEDS UP DIAGNOSIS OF BRAIN TUMORS IN OR

Research exploring how artificial intelligence can help identify cancer faster
 
Northwestern Medicine is the first health system in Illinois to use innovative laser imaging technology that enables neurosurgeons to evaluate brain tumor tissue biopsies in the OR immediately after samples are collected — providing insights up to an hour faster than traditional methods. 

The Invenio NIOâ Laser Imaging System aims to help surgeons make intraoperative decisions when performing a biopsy or surgery. The system was purchased with funds from a three-year, $375,000 grant awarded to Osaama H. Khan, MD, director of the Brain and Spine Tumor Center and Brain Tumor Bank at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, who was named the Douglas L. Johnson Endowed Chair in Neuroscience.

“With faster imaging, we can more rapidly evaluate whether the tissue sample contains cancerous cells, decide whether we need to remove the entire tumor, or test the margins of the tumor to ensure it has been successfully removed during surgery,” says Dr. Khan. “The patient will be in the OR for a shorter period of time, and we believe have a faster recovery as well.”

Traditionally, tissue samples must be transported to the pathology lab where they are frozen, processed, sectioned, then read by a pathologist who calls into the OR to confer with the neurosurgeon. 

With the new system, the sample is placed into a machine located in the OR; a high-resolution image is available within minutes. A pathologist can teleconference into the system to review with the neurosurgeon. During a brain tumor resection, numerous tissue samples may be necessary.

“We believe this technology will make surgery more efficient and give us higher-quality outcomes,” says Dr. Khan. “Additionally, since the tissue does not need to be frozen, it can be saved for research or further review by a pathologist.”

Initially, the system will be used for brain tumor surgeries, but specialists at Northwestern Medicine are evaluating it for potential use for other cancer surgeries, including lung biopsy.

Additionally, researchers are exploring the use of artificial intelligence with the laser system to get immediate results for more detailed information about the biology of tumors. The AI model is being trained to analyze different molecular subtypes of cancer within a tissue sample. Physicians can use this information to help predict how well a patient will respond to chemotherapy or other treatment options, including clinical trials, a process that traditionally can take weeks for results. Currently, the AI features are available for research purposes only in the United States.

“The potential future application of this technology is exciting. The faster we can get an accurate diagnosis, the sooner we can start treatment, including clinical trials. It’s especially critical for aggressive types of cancer that could grow or spread significantly in weeks,” explains Dr. Khan.

Dr. Khan will incorporate the use of the AI platform in research projects within the Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumor Bank at Northwestern Medicine. The system will help enable earlier predictive detection of cancerous tumors while maintaining the quality and integrity of the specimen for storage in the Tumor Bank for future research.

​Established in 2016, the CNS Tumor Bank at Central DuPage Hospital houses over 700 brain tumors and blood specimens. “This AI platform is currently only at select centers around the country,” adds Dr. Khan. “Our team will be the first to implement this technology at Northwestern Medicine with the hope that other surgical specialties may one day also find value in the advanced capabilities.” 
Osaama H. Khan, MD, clinical assistant professor of Neurological Surgery, and director of the Brain and Spine Tumor Center and Brain Tumor Bank at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital.

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