Technique for determining whether a cell is malignant as opposed to non-malignant using extrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy
US5635402A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/6484
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A technique for determining whether a cell is malignant as opposed to non-malignant using extrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy. The technique is premised on the principle that certain fluorescent dyes preferentially stain malignant cells as opposed to non-malignant cells. Accordingly, by exposing a cell to the fluorescent dye, irradiating the cell with light of such a wavelength as to cause the dye to fluoresce, measuring the intensity of fluorescence at a wavelength indicative of fluorescence of the dye, and comparing the fluorescence intensity to standards obtained from malignant cells and non-malignant cells, it is possible for one to accurately classify the cell as being either malignant or non-malignant. The present invention also relates to an automated system which applies the principles of the aforementioned technique to depict the spatial distribution of cells within an area of a Pap smear-type sample and to characterize each of the cells as being malignant or non-malignant.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.