ADAPTIVE OPTICAL METASURFACES FOR REAL-TIME, LABEL-FREE AND NON-DESTRUCTIVE 7D DIGITAL PATHOLOGY

Project Information

OPTIPATH

Grant agreement ID: 101185769

DOI

10.3030/101185769

EC signature date 29 October 2024

Start date 1 February 2025

End date 31 January 2028

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 3 875 952,50

EU contribution

€ 3 875 952,50

Coordinated by

SINTEF AS
Norway

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - OPTIPATH (ADAPTIVE OPTICAL METASURFACES FOR REAL-TIME, LABEL-FREE AND NON-DESTRUCTIVE 7D DIGITAL PATHOLOGY)

Reporting period: 2025-02-01 to 2026-01-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

OPTIPATH provides a new paradigm for gathering objective optical tissue-dependent data, which is essential to overcoming the diagnostic challenges of inter-observer variability and limited sensitivity and specificity. OPTIPATH will enable first non-destructive, label-free, real-time and 3D-presentation of tissue samples for histopathological assessment in operation theatres and pathology departments, thereby offering live decision support during surgical and oncological treatments. This is enabled by a novel paradigm of multidimensional pathology (7DPATH) utilizing polarization resolved Optical Biopsy enhanced by Vector Vortex Beams (VVBs) of light combined with 3D confocal imaging and spectral information. This represents a cutting-edge advancement, poised to significantly enhance optical biopsy techniques over the next 5-7 years. Manipulating the phase and polarization of light, VVBs with Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) can produce highly focused, intricate light patterns capable of deep tissue penetration and high-resolution imaging. This allows for detailed, non-invasive examination of cellular structures and abnormalities, offering a leap forward in early disease detection, precise tumour localization, and monitoring of treatment efficacy, all without the need for traditional, invasive biopsy procedures. To convert the 7DPATH Big Data set to interpretable insights for the medical professionals (clinicians, pathologists), OPTIPATH will utilize our experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) digital workup of large data sets. By utilizing optical markers that are available in unstained tissue, the need for time-consuming sample preparation is significantly reduced. This is all enabled by radical adaptive chip-based nano-photonic components (Optical Metasurfaces, OMSs) that are integrated into a breakthrough polarimetric imaging tool developed at OULU. Chip-based optics allows for wide adoption through low-cost and miniaturization, also paving the way for other in-vivo medical applications such as endoscopy or non-medical applications such as drone or robot-based optical systems, AR/VR glasses, spectroscopy, 3D-imaging and optical communications.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the reporting period, OPTIPATH achieved substantial scientific, technical and organisational progress toward establishing a transformative platform for real-time, label-free, non-destructive 7D digital pathology. Foundational advances were realised across theoretical modelling, experimental validation and component development. A unified Monte Carlo simulation framework for structured light propagation in turbid tissue was developed and experimentally validated, enabling quantitative analysis of polarization, phase and orbital angular momentum interactions in complex biological media. Advanced hyperspectral and polarization-resolved experimental platforms and clinically relevant tissue phantoms were established to benchmark structured-light sensing performance. In parallel, multiple generations of adaptive metasurface and MEMS-based optical components were designed, fabricated and experimentally validated, demonstrating dynamic phase modulation, rapid optical switching and high polarization control required for multidimensional tissue sensing. Initial integration strategies for MEMS–metasurface components were successfully initiated, and preparatory work for biological validation was launched. These technical achievements were supported by strengthened project coordination, structured risk management, and the smooth integration of the HopOn partner, ensuring coherent progress toward system-level integration and upcoming clinical-oriented validation activities.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

OPTIPATH has generated results that advance beyond the current state of the art in both optical tissue interrogation and adaptive nanophotonic component integration. Scientifically, the project has demonstrated for the first time a unified modelling–experimental framework capable of tracking polarization, phase, and orbital angular momentum signatures of structured light in complex, scattering biological media, establishing a quantitative basis for multidimensional (7D) tissue sensing. Technologically, wafer-scale metasurface fabrication, MEMS–OMS integration strategies, and microsecond-scale adaptive modulation of vector vortex beams represent a step-change toward compact, chip-based, reconfigurable optical diagnostic modules. Collectively, these advances move beyond incremental improvements in imaging toward a fundamentally new sensing paradigm with potential to deliver more objective and information-rich diagnostic readouts than conventional histopathology. To ensure further uptake and success, upcoming efforts will focus on biological validation, system-level integration, AI-enabled data interpretation, and alignment with clinical workflows and regulatory pathways. Continued development toward higher TRL levels, strengthened IPR positioning, engagement with industrial manufacturing partners, and preparation for follow-on funding (e.g. EIC Transition/Accelerator) will be essential to translate these beyond-state-of-the-art results into deployable technologies with clinical and commercial impact.