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.
