Apparatus and method for determining tissue characteristics
US6055451A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/0084
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method embodying the invention include utilizing a device intended to be inserted into a patient's body to determine a characteristic of a target tissue. In one apparatus and method, a device illuminates the target tissue with amplitude modulated excitation electromagnetic radiation, and the device senses a returned electromagnetic radiation. A phase shift between the excitation and return electromagnetic radiation is determined, and the phase shift is used to determine characteristics of the target tissue. A demodulation factor, representing ratios of the AC and DC components of the excitation and return electromagnetic radiation may also be calculated and used to determine characteristics of the target tissue. In another apparatus and method embodying the invention, a device illuminates a target tissue with polarized electromagnetic radiation, and a return electromagnetic radiation is sensed. The amplitude of the returned electromagnetic radiation is sensed in mutually perpendicular planes, and this information is used to determine an anisotropy factor. The anisotropy factor, in turn, is used to determine characteristics of the target tissue. In either of the abo…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.