Invention:
University of Arizona researchers have developed a technology that repurposes FDA approved drugs to stain tissues in vivo, to enhance the effectiveness of optical biopsies. Alternatively, the cell staining panel could be a safer alternative to typical cell stains ex vivo/in vitro for routine optical microscopy.
Background:
Biopsies are a common medical practice to determine the presence or extent of a disease by examining sample cells or tissues from a patient. If imaging cannot properly diagnose a patient, a biopsy is usually the next step. The optical biopsy is a bit different from the common biopsy. Rather than taking a piece of the patient to the microscope, an optical biopsy takes a microscope tip into the patient to examine the tissues. This invention looks into the use of FDA approved drugs to stain the tissues in vivo to enhance the effectiveness of optical biopsies.
Applications:
- Optical biopsy
- Research tissue staining
Advantages:
- Drugs have FDA approval for other purposes
- Less invasive than traditional biopsies
- Less risk of bleeding
- Faster diagnosis
