MULTISENSOR PROBE FOR TISSUE IDENTIFICATION

摘要

Disclosed is a multisensor probe (600) for continuous real-time tissue identification. The multisensor probe (600) includes a tissue penetrating needle (620), a plurality of sensors useful in characterizing tissue and a position sensor (670) to measure the depth of the needle into the tissue being diagnosed. The sensors include but are not limited to an optical scattering absorption spectroscopy sensor, an optical coherence domain reflectometry sensor, an electrical impedance sensor, a temperature sensor, a pO2 sensor, a chemical sensor, and other sensors useful in identifying tissue. The sensors may take the form of a plurality of optical fibers extending through said needle. A retractable sheath (630) may be disposed around the distal section of the needle (620) to protect the needle (620) when not in use. The sheath (630) retracts when the probe (600) is inserted into tissue and the position of the sheath (630) relative to the needle (620) may be measured to determine the needle's depth. Systems and methods for tissue identification are also provided.