The iKnife is an operative tool that can detect cancer in tissues at the time of surgery. The intelligent knife is the coupling of rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) technology with electrosurgery for tissue diagnostics. Rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry is an emerging technique that allows near–real-time characterization of human tissue in vivo by analysis of the aerosol (“smoke”) released during electrosurgical dissection. Mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of biological samples allows simultaneous detection of metabolites, proteins and lipids directly from tissue sections.
Researchers from the Department of Surgery, School of Computing and Biomedical and Molecular Sciences have advanced this technology with the development of the NaviKnife, a next-generation imaging and software navigation system that can reduce the need for additional surgeries and significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients. The NaviKnife can achieve a complete tumor resection with minimal tissue loss. NaviKnife builds on novel multiparametric ultrasound imaging to accurately target the cancer prior to resection, and novel real-time metabolomic tissue typing to identify and trace the tumor boundary during resection while guided by a simple robotic arm. While current research using this image-guided tool is directed at breast and brain cancer tumours, the broader vision includes integration into vascular and neurosurgery in addition to other kinds of oncosurgical areas. The NaviKnife is one example of how our clinician-scientists are working with industries to commercialize tools for global health.