Advancements in Intraoperative Scanner Technologies for Enhanced Lumpectomy Outcomes

A photoacoustic scanner integrated with a robot-assisted testbed has demonstrated subsurface contrast that distinguished simulated tumor from normal breast tissue in tissue-mimicking models. This approach improved visibility of residual disease and enabled intraoperative-style inspection of tumor beds in a controlled environment.

Photoacoustic imaging converts optical absorption differences into acoustic signals, enabling subsurface visualization of target tissues. The robot-assisted setup standardized scanning trajectories and probe alignment, enhancing imaging reproducibility and laying groundwork for integration with surgical navigation workflows.

In a proof-of-concept study using three breast phantoms simulating post-lumpectomy tumor beds, researchers tested the system’s ability to localize residual tumor using quadrant-based metrics. The system achieved successful localization in at least three out of four quadrants across all models, demonstrating feasibility for detecting residual disease within the surgical cavity.

While not yet compared directly with specimen radiography, frozen section, or cavity shave margins, the approach shows promise as a fast, intraoperative-compatible method for margin assessment. The study represents the first demonstration of decoupled photoacoustic imaging and robotic guidance for tumor bed inspection.