System and method of fluorescence spectroscopic imaging for characterization and monitoring of tissue damage
US6631289B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/4523
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for monitoring a biological tissue includes illuminating the tissue, including a fluorophore, with a wavelength of light, the wavelength selected for exciting the fluorophore, determining a fluorescent emission of the fluorophore, the emission indicating the presence of the fluorophore, and correlating an emission of the fluorophore to an extent and degree of damage to the tissue. Damage to the tissue includes a breakdown of the fluorophore, resulting in a reduced level of emission. The fluorophore can include one of collagen and elastin. The fluorophore can include tryptophan, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, flavin and porphyrin. Correlating the emission of the fluorophore to the extent and degree of damage further includes processing a correlation of the emission over time, controlling the power of a laser welder based on the processed correlation, and preventing overheating of the tissue by the laser welder.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.