Method and apparatus for classifying core biopsy specimens with optical coherence tomography

The method of claim 9, wherein the specimen holder comprises a plurality of segments and transferring the core biopsy specimen to the specimen holder comprises transferring the core biopsy specimen to a first segment of the plurality of segments, and wherein the first segment is located adjacent to the core needle, the method further comprising:

• moving the specimen holder so that the first segment is no longer adjacent to the core needle and a second segment of the plurality of segments is adjacent to the core needle;
• obtaining a second core biopsy specimen with the core needle;
• transferring the second core biopsy specimen to the second segment;
• and
• repeating the acquiring, applying, and providing steps for the second core biopsy specimen.

A method for classifying core biopsy specimens, the method comprising:

• obtaining a core biopsy specimen with a core needle;
• transferring the core biopsy specimen to a specimen holder coupled to the core needle,
• acquiring image data from the core biopsy specimen with an optical coherence tomography system coupled to the specimen holder;
• applying a tissue classification process to the acquired image data;
• providing feedback to a user based on the tissue classification process, acquiring additional image data from the core biopsy specimen with at least one of an additional specimen analysis and an additional imaging technique;
• and
• applying a tissue identification process to the acquired additional data.

A method for classifying core biopsy specimens, the method comprising:

• obtaining a core biopsy specimen with a core needle;
• transferring the core biopsy specimen to a specimen holder coupled to the core needle,
• acquiring image data from the core biopsy specimen with an optical coherence tomography system coupled to the specimen holder;
• applying a tissue classification process to the acquired image data;
• providing feedback to a user based on the tissue classification process;
• acquiring one or more of patient demographic data, clinical data, and prior imaging data from patient records;
• and
• assessing the acquired data in combination with the acquired optical coherence tomography image data from the core biopsy specimen.

An apparatus for obtaining core biopsy specimens, the apparatus comprising:

• a core needle configured to remove a core biopsy specimen;
• a specimen holder coupled to the core needle;
• and
• an optical coherence tomography system centrally coupled to the specimen holder and centrally located relative to the specimen holder,
• wherein the optical coherence tomography system is configured to interrogate at least one biopsy specimen located in the specimen holder to obtain optical coherence tomography image data and transmit the optical coherence tomography data to computer processing hardware configured for execution of a tissue identification algorithm with the optical coherence tomography image data.