Imaging of light scattering tissues with fluorescent contrast agents
US7328059B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/418
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for non-invasive biomedical optical imaging and spectroscopy with low-level light is described. The technique includes a modulated light source coupled to tissue to introduce excitation light. Fluorescent light emitted in response to the excitation light is detected with a sensor. The AC intensity and phase of the excitation and detected fluorescent light is provided to a processor operatively coupled to the sensor. A processor employs the measured emission kinetics of excitation and fluorescent light to “map” the spatial variation of one or more fluorescence characteristics of the tissue and generate a corresponding image of the tissue via an output device. The fluorescence characteristic may be provided by exogenous contrast agents, endogenous fluorophores, or both. A technique to select or design an exogenous fluorescent contrast agent to improve image contrast is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.