Innovative Imaging Procedure Wins Helmholtz High Impact Award 2024
Researchers Oliver Bruns and Ellen Sletten have received the Helmholtz High Impact Award 2024 for their innovative imaging procedure. The method, developed at the National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC), uses short-wave infrared light and special fluorescent dyes to make tissues and structures more visible during surgery, potentially helping to identify brain tumor symptoms.
The new imaging system combines short-wave infrared light with advanced camera technology and special fluorescent dyes. These dyes highlight specific tissues, such as tumors or blood vessels, making them stand out. The procedure can also differentiate between different types of tissue based on their water content.
Clinical studies are underway, in collaboration with a California clinic, to document the benefits of this imaging system for patients with brain tumor symptoms. The technology is expected to revolutionize surgery in the coming years, according to Esther Troost, Dean of the Medical Faculty of TU Dresden. The imaging system illuminates the edge of the brain tumor, aiding surgeons in removing cancerous tissue while preserving healthy tissue. The development of new contrast agents further enhances the accuracy of brain tumor detection during surgery.
Oliver Bruns and Ellen Sletten's innovative imaging procedure has the potential to significantly improve cancer surgery, particularly for brain tumor symptoms. By making tumors and other tissues more visible, it enables more precise and effective surgical interventions. With ongoing clinical studies and the support of the medical community, this technology could soon become a standard in operating rooms worldwide for treating brain tumor symptoms.
