A team from Helmholtz Munich, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and the Medical University of Vienna has introduced a new imaging approach known as oxygen-enhanced endoscopy (O2E), which enables highly precise detection of cancerous lesions in the esophagus. According to research published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, this technique can reveal even subtle pathological alterations in tissue, paving the way for earlier identification and diagnosis.
O2E merges optical coherence tomography—which provides detailed images of tissue architecture—with optoacoustic imaging, a method that employs light pulses and ultrasound to visualize tiny blood vessels in deeper tissue layers. By combining these two technologies within a single capsule that rotates to scan the entire esophagus, O2E delivers high-resolution, three-dimensional images of the esophageal lining.
Researchers tested the O2E system in a pilot study by examining both animal esophageal tissue and human samples from individuals with Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that can precede esophageal cancer. The team successfully distinguished healthy tissue from areas with abnormal cell changes, precancerous developments, and cancerous growths. Additionally, they conducted proof-of-concept tests on the inner lip of a volunteer, taking advantage of its comparable tissue features.
