# Intelligent Optical Probe for Guiding Core Needle Biopsy Procedures

> **NIH NIH R44** · PHYSICAL SCIENCES, INC · 2022 · $888,733

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Physical Sciences, Inc. (PSI), in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) proposes to
develop and clinically evaluate a novel probe for guiding core needle biopsies. This probe will reveal tissue
morphology at the tip of the biopsy needle in real-time and thus aid the interventional radiologist to properly
select the biopsy area within the tumor. This is needed because tumors can be very heterogeneous, containing
necrotic cells or scar tissue, which do not have any diagnostic value. This biopsy probe, called "OptoGuide", is
based on the use of a novel encoder-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) approach, which enables in
situ tissue imaging with a very simple probe and affordable OCT instrument. We have successfully demonstrated
this technology in an animal model of cancer during a previously completed SBIR contract program
(HHSN261201600030C). However, further efforts and additional resources are needed to translate this
technology to routine clinical use. Thus, the primary goal of this Phase II program is to close the gap between
the research and the commercialization phases, enabling technology transition towards clinical use. Specifically,
PSI will develop a clinically viable instrument, perform its evaluation on human patients at MDACC, and start
generating clinical data needed for regulatory approval and marketing purposes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10481578
- **Project number:** 1R44CA273961-01
- **Recipient organization:** PHYSICAL SCIENCES, INC
- **Principal Investigator:** NICUSOR IFTIMIA
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $888,733
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-05-23 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10481578

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10481578, Intelligent Optical Probe for Guiding Core Needle Biopsy Procedures (1R44CA273961-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10481578. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*