Development of an alveolar transbronchial catheter for concurrent fiber optics based imaging and fluid delivery.

Optical molecular imaging is an emerging field and high resolution optical imaging of the distal lung parenchyma has been made possible with the advent of clinically approved fiber based imaging modalities. However, currently, there is no single method of allowing the simultaneous imaging and delivery of targeted molecular imaging agents. The objective of this research is to create a catheterized device capable of fulfilling this need. We describe the rationale, development, and validation in ex vivo ovine lung to near clinical readiness of a triple lumen bronchoscopy catheter that allows concurrent imaging and fluid delivery, with the aim of clinical use to deliver multiple fluorescent compounds to image alveolar pathology. Using this device, we were able to produce high-quality images of bacterial infiltrates in ex-vivo ovine lung within 60 seconds of instilling a single microdose of (<100 mcgs) imaging agent. This has many advantages for future clinical usage over the current state of the art.