Our Fluorescence-Imaging Technologies:

qF-IMAGETM and qF-Probe™

Advanced surgical guidance isn’t limited to maintaining co-registration accuracy at 2 mm through image-updating. Insight Surgical has pioneered quantitative fluorescence imaging technologies that take guidance to the submillimetric level during brain tumor resection.

The qF-Image™ and qF-Probe™ provide the neurosurgeon with highly sensitive, objective, in vivo fluorescence detection and determination of quantitative concentration based on unique real-time spectroscopic analysis and incorporation of optical properties.

  • qF-IMAGE™ is an augmented reality (AR) powered system for wide-field detection of non-visible fluorescence that overlays high-resolution 5-aminolevulinic acid induced protoporphyrin IX (ALA-PpIX) concentration maps of the surgical field using a  surgical microscope’s heads-up-display.

Wide-Field Fluorescence

(using an institutional IRB-approved prototype system and not qF-Image™)

InSight Surgical is addressesing the existing limitations experienced with current fluorescence detection technologies, which rely on the subjective visual assessment by the neurosurgeon. Insight’s technologies will power a paradigm shift in neurosurgery.

  • qF-PROBE™ provides the neurosurgeon with highly sensitive, objective, in vivo fluorescence detection and determination of quantitative concentration based on unique real-time spectroscopic analysis and incorporation of optical properties.

Quantitative Fluorescence

(institution IRB-approved prototype probe shown of left; the qF-Probe™ system shown on right)

Quantitative Fluorescence Detection

InSight Surgical’s complementary fluorescence products are designed to provide highly sensitive, reliable, and objective in vivo detection of fluorescent agents.  qF-IMAGE and qF-PROBE will initially target high-grade glioma but may be extended to other tumor types, including low-grade glioma, meningioma and metastasis, as well as extracranial tumor.

qF-IMAGETM   

System for Detection of Wide-Field Detection of Non-Visible Flurorescence

qF-IMAGE is our wide-field quantitative fluorescence imaging technology which generates absolute PpIX concentration overlays on the surgical field of view.

The research prototype version of qF-IMAGE has been used in over 150 high- and low-grade glioma, meningioma and metastasis surgical cases. Diagnostic levels of PpIX fluorescence not visible or detectable with commercially available systems are detectable and accurately quantified with our technology.

qF-IMAGE™ is designed to fit seamlessly within surgical resection workflow and optimizes clinical outcomes. Our technology is:

Surgical field with white light illumination (left), same field under conventional blue light illumination for fluorescence (center), and quantitative fluorescence map produced by institutional IRB-approved quantitative fluorescence system, not qF-IMAGE™ (right).

  • Designed to allow surface and subsurface fluorescence to be displayed with full illumination.
  • Designed to reduce procedural time by rapidly characterizing fluorophores in the surgical field on-demand.

qF-PROBETM   

Point Spectroscopy Imaging System for Tissue  Characterization

The qF-Probe™ system is our point spectroscopy fluorescence detection device that is an adjunct tool for confirming the presence of PpIX visualized during neurosurgery. More specifically, the qF-Probe™ identifies the known fluorescence “spectral signature” of PpIX, corrected for the varying optical properties of tissue.

The results obtained with an institutional IRB-approved, re-usable, research prototype of qF-Probe™ in >200 patients undergoing brain tumor resection with ALA-PpIX fluorescence guidance surgery have demonstrated that surgeons can detect tumor in both high- and low-grade gliomas, meningiomas, and metastasis safely and reliably.1,2,3

The qF-Probe™ system is our point spectroscopy fluorescence detection device that is an adjunct tool for confirming the presence of PpIX visualized during neurosurgery. More specifically, the qF-Probe™ identifies the known fluorescence “spectral signature” of PpIX, corrected for the varying optical properties of tissue.

The results obtained with an institutional IRB-approved, re-usable, research prototype of qF-Probe™ in >200 patients undergoing brain tumor resection with ALA-PpIX fluorescence guidance surgery have demonstrated that surgeons can detect tumor in both high- and low-grade gliomas, meningiomas, and metastasis safely and reliably.1-3

qF-IMAGE™ is designed to maximize clinical outcomes and fit seamlessly within surgical resection workflow. Our technology:

  • Designed to quantify absolute concentrations of tumor biomarker (fluorophore) from surface and sub-surface fluorescence safely and reliably.
  • Low-cost, disposable probe, easy-to-use, and ergonomically friendly.
  • Portable system with a small form factor for a minimal footprint in the OR.
  • Simplified workflow and intuitive user interface; provides the surgeon with automated measurements.

 

 

 

References

  1. Valdes PA, Leblond F, Kim A, Harris BT, Wilson BC, Fan X, Tosteson TD, Hartov A, Ji S, Erkmen K, Simmons NE, Paulsen KD, Roberts DW: Quantitative fluorescence in intracranial tumor: implications for ALA-induced PpIX as an intraoperative biomarker. J Neurosurg 115(1):11-17, Jul 2011 [epub 2011 Mar 25]. PMID: 21529179
  2. Valdes PA, Bekelis K, Harris BT, Wilson BC, Leblond F, Kim A, Simmons NE, Erkmen K, Paulsen KD, Roberts DW: 5-Aminolevulinic-acid-induced protoporphyrin IX fluorescence in meningioma: Qualitative and quantitative measurements in vivo. Neurosurg March 10 Suppl 1:74-82, 2014.  [Epub 2013 July 24]. PMID: 23887194
  3. Valdes PA, Jacobs V, Harris BT, Wilson BC, Leblond F, Paulsen KD, Roberts DW: Quantitative fluorescence using 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX biomarker as a surgical adjunct in low-grade glioma surgery. J Neurosurg. Sep;123(3):771-80, 2015.  [Epub 2015 Jul 3]  PMID 26140489]