Catheter-based light spectroscopy to characterize cardiac and other tissues using machine learning.

Cardiac tissue abnormalities such as fibrosis can be located deep within the cardiac wall and not apparent on the tissue surface. The ability to visualize these abnormalities beneath the tissue surface currently requires expensive equipment (MRI, OCT, etc.). Other systems are available but have limited tissue depth-penetration, decreasing the diagnostic utility of these systems.

University of Utah researchers have developed a catheter that uses light-scattering spectroscopy to enable non-invasive and real-time identification of fibrosis within cardiac tissue. Light is sent through a fiber optic probe and scatters off of the tissue, creating unique light signatures that are captured by sensors integrated in the probe. A machine learning algorithm uses the reflected light signatures to differentiate between abnormal and healthy tissue, leading to improved tissue characterization in areas that are currently difficult to image. Optional multi-sensor design may allow for rapid tissue characterization and mapping of large areas of the heart.

Proof of Concept

• Design modification allows for different tissue penetration depths based on specific needs and applications.
• Significantly less expensive than current mapping options (MRI, OCT).
• Can distinguish fibrous tissue with high accuracy.
• May increase ablation success rates to decrease costly repeat procedures.
• Can be integrated with other catheter, navigation, and electrical systems.

Knighton N, Cottle B, Kelson B, et al (2021). Towards Intraoperative Quantification of Atrial Fibrosis Using Light-Scattering Spectroscopy and Convolutional Neural Networks. Sensors, 21: 6033. doi: 10.3390/s21186033

Knighton N, Cottle B, Tiwari S, et al (2021). Toward cardiac tissue characterization using machine learning and light-scattering spectroscopy. J of Biomedical Optics, 26(11), 116001. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.26.11.116001

Jason Young
(801) 587-0519
jason.r.young@utah.edu