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Needle Microscope Wins SPIE Startup Challenge

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A new needle microscope that will assist in breast cancer treatment has earned SPIE’s annual Startup Challenge.

The “Microscope in a Needle” project, developed by a team from western Australia and led by Robert McLaughlin, an associate professor at the University of Western Australia’s Optical and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, earned the top prize. The award also includes $10,000 in cash, $5,000 worth of Edmund Optics’ products to further commercialization and development, and the opportunity to attend a week-long entrepreneur boot camp.


Western Australian researchers' microscope in a needle shows promise in the surgical treatment of breast cancer. Courtesy the University of Western Australia.

The device is a miniature OCT probe inside a needle that is designed to help surgeons remove tumors in breast cancer patients.

“We have made a device that helps a surgeon find the edge of a tumor,” McLaughlin said. “It’s a mini fiber optic probe inside a needle that helps perform biopsies below the skin’s surface.”

He noted that it will help to remove tumors completely and should reduce the number of repeat surgeries that are necessary when malignant material is missed the first time; currently, 25 percent of breast cancer patients undergo repeat surgeries.

Second prize was awarded to Nicholas Durr at MIT and PlenOptika for his device to determine eyeglass prescriptions economically to improve eye care in developing countries. Third prize went to Amos Danielli at MagBiosense for a heart biosensor.

The SPIE Startup Challenge is supported by Jenoptik, Trumpf, Open Photonics and Knobbe Martens.

For more information, visit: http://spie.org
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Published: February 2014
Glossary
microscope
An instrument consisting essentially of a tube 160 mm long, with an objective lens at the distant end and an eyepiece at the near end. The objective forms a real aerial image of the object in the focal plane of the eyepiece where it is observed by the eye. The overall magnifying power is equal to the linear magnification of the objective multiplied by the magnifying power of the eyepiece. The eyepiece can be replaced by a film to photograph the primary image, or a positive or negative relay...
optical coherence tomography
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique used in medical and scientific fields to capture high-resolution, cross-sectional images of biological tissues. It provides detailed, real-time, and three-dimensional visualization of tissue structures at the micrometer scale. OCT is particularly valuable in ophthalmology, cardiology, dermatology, and various other medical specialties. Here are the key features and components of optical coherence tomography: Principle of...
AmericasAmos DanielliBiophotonicsbreast cancerBusinessConsumerEuropeJenoptikKnobbe MartensmicroscopeMicroscopyneedleOpen Photonicsoptical coherence tomographyOpticsRapidScanResearch & TechnologySPIEsurgeonsurgeryTrumpftumorUniversity of Western AustraliaWashingtonStartup ChallengeWestern AustraliaOptical and Biomedical Engineering LaboratoryRobert McLaughlinNicholas Durr

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