An endoscope fitted with a microscopic image sensor is being developed for the purpose of in vivo cancer diagnosis to facilitate quicker tumor detection. Usually, doctors conduct a biopsy for cancer diagnosis, a time consuming process. For a successful cancer treatment, early detection is the key.
The fiber transmits the laser light to the microscanner mirror. Both are fitted in the tip of the endoscope.
The researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS located in Dresden, Germany are in focus to speed up the cancer diagnosis process, considerably. The researchers have produced a microscope head that is just 8 mm in diameter. This optical gadget can magnify tissue cells, which measure just about 10-20 µm. Scientists expect the new micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) microscope head to eradicate the need for biopsies. As the diagnosis is performed in real time, it would enable doctors to quickly decide the required treatment course.