McMaster Biophotonics - Optical Imaging in Gastrointestinal Track

The motivation behind imaging and tracking an endoscope during a procedure in the gastrointestinal tract is related to a) the path of the endoscope internally and b) small object tracking for early detection of diseases.

In colonoscopy, it is important to monitor the progression or recurrence of suspected cancerous lesions (e.g., polyps). However, because the colon is contractile and mobile, it is very difficult to relocate a lesion (e.g., a polyp) during follow-up and even during the same procedure. We are developing a novel 360 degree panoramic imaging method to build a map of the colon lining during colonoscopy, which will be used to locate and track cancer-related lesions. This research will make colon cancer screening and treatments more effective.

Previously, a motion tracking device was developed to provide the accurate position, rotation, and velocity of the endoscope during upper and lower gastrointestinal procedures. It will help gastroenterologists to record precise endoscope location information within the gastrointestinal tract so that it can be accessed mid- or post-examination to inform diagnosis, treatments, and follow-ups. Specifically, this location information can be used to determine the exact areas in the gastrointestinal tract that require follow-up, train physicians to improve their endoscopy skills, and interpret the size of a tumour.

In the current phase, the motion tracker prototype is being optimized using modern camera and imaging features as well as new hardware and software to produce a product that can be used in clinical settings. This device is placed externally on the endoscope and does not go inside the patient which allows for it to be easily removed and disposed. The unique benefits of this design are its cost-effectiveness, small-size, and real-time software based approach, which constitutes to an unassuming device that minimally obstructs the gastroenterologist when performing endoscopies.

Publications:

• Pyry Kiviharju, Nam Ha-Van, Lauri Vaha-Savo, Juha Tuomela, Clemens Icheln, Katsuyuki Haneda, Sergei Tretyakov, Jari Holopainen, Qiyin Fang, Hiroaki Hagiwara, Zachary D Taylor, “A Dual-Purpose Microwave-Optical Component for Wireless Capsule Endoscopy - a Feasibility Study by Radio Link Analysis,” IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 28:PP, 2025, (Open Access)
• Ian H. D. Phillips, David Armstrong and Qiyin Fang, “A Real-Time Endoscope Motion Tracker,” IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, 10:1-9, 2022, (Open Access).
• Samir Sahli, Roy, C. C. Wang, Aparna Murthy, David Armstrong, M. Jamal Deen, and Qiyin Fang, “a 360 degree side view endoscope for lower GI tract mapping,” Physics in Canada, 71(1): 18-20, 2015 (online)
• Zhaojun Nie, Shu-Chi Allison Yeh, Michelle LePalud, Fares Badr, Frances Tse, David Armstrong, Louis W. C. Liu, M. Jamal Deen, and Qiyin Fang, “Optical Biopsy of the Upper GI Tract Using Fluorescence Lifetime and Spectra,” Frontiers in Physiology, 11:339, 2020, doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00339| (open access online)
• Shu-Chi Allison Yeh, Celine S.N. Ling, David W. Andrews, Michael S. Patterson, Kevin R. Diamond, Joseph E. Hayward, David Armstrong, and Qiyin Fang, “5-aminolevulinic acid for quantitative seek-and-treat of high-grade dysplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus cellular models,” Journal of Biomedical Optics, 20(2):028002, 2015 (PDF).
• Shu-Chi Allison Yeh, Samir Sahli, David W. Andrews, Michael S. Patterson, David Armstrong, John Provias, and Qiyin Fang, “5-aminolevulinic acid induced protoporphyrin IX as a fluorescence marker for quantitative image analysis of high-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus cellular models,” Journal of Biomedical Optics, 20(3):036010, 2015 (PDF).
• Roy Chih Chung Wang, M. Jamal Deen, David Armstrong, and Qiyin Fang, “development of a catadioptric endoscope objective with forward and side views,” Journal of Biomedical Optics, 16(6):066015, 2011. (PDF)
• M. Kfouri, O. Marinov, P. Quevedo, N. Faramarzpour, S. Shirani, L. W-C. Liu, Q. Fang, M. J. Deen, “Towards a Miniaturized Wireless Fluorescence-Based Diagnostic Imaging System,” IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, 14(1): 226-234, 2008. (PDF)