Program Leader: Gary Tearney, MD, PhD

The value of early diagnosis is undisputed. Numerous studies show that the earlier a disease can be identified, the greater the patient’s chances are for recovery. The Optical Diagnostics Program is one with the goal of early identification of disease using minimally invasive procedures to elicit actionable information.

CIMIT investigators are developing minimally invasive tools and methods that can provide doctors with crucial data in a timely manner.

Clinical problem: Effective, non-invasive diagnosis of disease can be improved. The traditional method of diagnosis of some strains of cancer, including esophageal cancer, is through repetitive random biopsies. Those associated with the Optical Diagnostics Program seek better tools. In a related concern, diagnosis of vulnerable plaque as it relates to cardio issues currently is not possible, and the result is thousands of sudden cardiac deaths each year.

CIMIT solutions:

• Reduce deaths by developing tools effective at diagnosing diseases. Reduce pain and discomfort by obtaining key data through minimally invasive tools and procedures.
• MGH doctors are applying Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to precancerous lesions in the esophagus in real time.
  
• Scientists are exploring new optical methods of gaining information from tissue, including research on a three-dimensional miniature endoscope.
  
• A CIMIT-related team is pioneering an Optical Frequency Domain Imaging (OFDI) procedure, to obtain essential data from broad areas of the esophagus and coronary arteries.