Adimec, in collaboration with five partners within the CAReIOCA consortium, is advancing a groundbreaking medical device that utilizes high-resolution, high-speed imaging. This device aims to perform non-invasive optical biopsies for cancer assessment. Adimec contributes its expertise through a specialized CMOS CoaXPress camera.

The Vision of CAReIOCA

The overarching objective of the CAReIOCA project is to empower pathologists and surgeons by providing real-time, non-invasive optical imaging at the cellular level within human tissues. This technology leverages Full Field Optical Coherence Tomography (FFOCT), a cutting-edge technique that captures volumetric images in 3D with micron-level resolution on semi-transparent tissues.

FFOCT is designed to assist in diagnosing cancer across various organs, including skin, breast, prostate, and brain. Additionally, it supports quality control for biopsies, marking a significant step forward in medical diagnostics.

Project Milestones

The CAReIOCA project began early 2013, with key advancements achieved by mid-2014:

High-Speed CMOS Sensor Prototypes

One major milestone was the release of high-speed, high-dynamic-range CMOS sensor prototypes. These sensors, designed by CMOSIS and manufactured by an external foundry, are poised for integration into cameras.

Adimec has fully defined the camera design—encompassing electronic circuits, firmware, thermal management, and casing—to ensure seamless performance. The goal is to embed these sensors in a camera platform capable of high-speed imaging with easy interfacing, particularly for use in LLTech FFOCT devices.

This integration project is scheduled for completion this summer.

Instrumental Design Enhancements

FFOCT’s unique optical principles present challenges when integrated into traditional endoscopes. Notably, the light path differs from standard endoscopes, leading to potential issues with stray light. Consequently, all components—light source, probe, and detection unit—must be meticulously re-engineered.

The design emphasizes optimizing energy transfer while minimizing losses through small-diameter optics over extended distances. This is critical for maintaining image quality in high-speed imaging systems.

Another key challenge involves acquiring and transmitting high-quality images, requiring specific optical properties of the probes to meet stringent standards.

Clinical Data Atlas Development

To validate FFOCT’s effectiveness in cancer diagnosis, a three-phase clinical study has been initiated:

  1. Image Analysis: Identifying pathological versus non-pathological features on FFOCT scans.
  2. Training Pathologists: Educating medical professionals in interpreting FFOCT images.
  3. Correlation with Histopathology: Comparing results against traditional methods to determine sensitivity and specificity.

These studies are conducted using LLTech microscopes, maximizing data collection within the project timeframe. The clinical partners include Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), focusing on breast cancer, and Gustave Roussy Institute (IGR), specializing in head & neck cancers.

The image below showcases a sample of neck tissue imaged via FFOCT before histological processing. This demonstrates how raw biopsies can be examined in depth without slicing or staining. The results highlight the technology’s ability to visualize cellular structures, even at high resolution—revealing individual cells and nuclei with exceptional clarity when zoomed into specific regions, underscores FFOCT’s superior morphological correlation with conventional histology and its unique cellular-level resolution.

Project Funding and Scope

The project is funded by the EU FP7-ICT program under grant agreement number 318729. Further details can be found in their CAReIOCA newsletter.

Last Updated: 2025-09-04 19:59:47