Examination of breast tissue using time-resolved spectroscopy
US5555885A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/4797
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of breast tissue examination using time-resolved spectroscopy includes the following steps. A support that includes an input port and an output port separated by a selected distance is positioned relative to the examined breast. Locations of the input and output ports are selected to examine a tissue region of the breast. Light pulses of a selected wavelength and duration less than a nanosecond are introduced into the breast tissue at the input port and detected over time at the detection port. Signals corresponding to photons of detected modified pulses are accumulated over time. Values of a scattering coefficient or an absorption coefficient of the examined breast tissue are calculated based on the shape of the modified pulses. The examined breast tissue is characterized based on the values of the scattering coefficient or the absorption coefficient. Absorbing or fluorescing contrast agents may be introduced into the examined tissue. This method may be used in conjunction with x-ray mammography, needle localization procedure or MRI mammography.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.