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  Autofluorescence detection and imaging of bladder cancer realized through a cystoscopeUSPTO Application #: 20080051664Title: Autofluorescence detection and imaging of bladder cancer realized through a cystoscope Abstract: Near infrared imaging using elastic light scattering and tissue autofluorescence and utilizing interior examination techniques and equipment are explored for medical applications. The approach involves imaging using cross-polarized elastic light scattering and/or tissue autofluorescence in the Near Infra-Red (NIR) coupled with image processing and inter-image operations to differentiate human tissue components. (end of abstract) Agent: Michael D. Staggs Assistant Laboratory Counsel - Livermore, CA, US Inventors: Stavros G. Demos, Ralph W. deVere White USPTO Applicaton #: 20080051664 - Class: 600473000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery, Diagnostic Testing, Detecting Nuclear, Electromagnetic, Or Ultrasonic Radiation, Infrared Radiation The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080051664. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/400,024, filed Mar. 25, 2003, entitled "Autofluorescence Detection and Imaging of Bladder Cancer Realized Through a Cystoscope," which is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 10/190,231 filed Jul. 5, 2002, and claims priority thereto. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates to a medical diagnostic for the examination of tissue components. Specifically, the present invention relates to an optical imaging method and apparatus for in-vivo and real-time imaging of bladder cancer and determination of tumor margins. [0005] 2. Description of Related Art [0006] Diagnostic medical equipment typically includes time-consuming, bulky, expensive apparatus that often exposes human tissue components to potentially harmful radiation and or chemicals. Optical methods and systems for the identification of objects that possess different optical properties or abnormal compositions embedded in scattering media such as, human tissue, are desirable because such systems can be designed as compact, inexpensive, portable, and non-invasive spectral investigative tools. Optical spectroscopy, as one such optical method example, has been widely used to acquire fundamental knowledge about physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in biomaterials. Most tissue spectroscopy research has employed UV to visible light sources from 250-nm to 600-nm. The main active fluorophores in this spectral region are tryptophan, collagen, elastin, NAD(P)H, flavins and prophyrins. The disadvantage of these wavelengths is their short photon penetration depth in tissues, which leads to extraction of information only from superficial tissue layers. [0007] Accordingly, a need exists for optical diagnostic methods and systems to be utilized in a compact portable system to recover optical information with regard to human tissue and organ compositions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides a diagnostic apparatus that includes: at least one electromagnetic radiation source, an arranged interior examination device adapted to transmit the radiation source and further adapted to relay a near-infrared scattered and/ or an autofluorescence emission radiation, and a detector adapted to capture the scattered and/or near-infrared emission radiation produced by the radiation sources and optically coupled to the interior examination device so that characterization of the one or more tissue components is capable of being performed. [0009] Another aspect of the present invention provides a diagnostic apparatus that includes: at least two substantially narrow-band electromagnetic radiation wavelength sources for simultaneous illumination of one or more tissue components, an arranged interior examination device adapted to transmit the wavelength sources for illumination of the tissue components and further adapted to relay a near-infrared scattered radiation of the illuminated tissue components; and a detector adapted to simultaneously capture one or more images produced by the near-infrared scattered radiation from the tissue components so that characterization of the one or more tissue components is capable of being performed. [0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a diagnostic apparatus that includes: one or more laser sources, a cystoscope adapted to transmit laser source emission and further adapted to relay a near-infrared scattered electromagnetic and/or a near infrared autofluorescence emission radiation; and an on-chip charge CCD adapted to capture the scattered and/or near-infrared emission produced by the laser sources, wherein a computer configured with an image processing software can characterize the captured near-infrared scattered and/or near-infrared autofluorescence emission radiation from the tissue components. [0011] Another aspect of the present invention provides a diagnostic apparatus that includes: at least two laser sources for simultaneous illumination of one or more tissue components, a cystoscope adapted to transmit laser source illumination and further adapted to relay near-infrared scattered radiation; and a two-dimensional CCD adapted to simultaneously capture the scattered emission produced by the laser sources so that a computer configured with an image processing software can characterize the captured near-infrared scattered radiation from the tissue components. [0012] Still another aspect of the present invention is directed to an improved diagnostic imaging method for medical applications comprising the steps of: interrogating one or more tissue components with an interior examination device capable of directing one or more substantially narrow band electromagnetic radiation sources to provide illumination of one or more tissue components and further capable of relaying a near infrared scattered and/or a near infrared autofluorescence emission radiation from the illuminated tissue components, detecting a scattered electromagnetic radiation and/or a near infrared autofluorescence emission from the tissue components; and characterizing the detected scattered electromagnetic radiation and/or autofluorescence emission from said tissue components. [0013] Accordingly, the present tissue imaging system and method provides a portable, cost effective, non-invasive arrangement, capable of directing substantially monochromatic electromagnetic radiation and capable of providing spectrally processed images in the much desired need for differentiating components in human and/or animal tissues. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the specific embodiments, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [0015] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of an exemplary medical tissue imaging apparatus incorporating elastic light scattering, fluorescence imaging, and image processing capabilities. [0016] FIG. 2 shows a series of breast tissue images collected by the present invention. [0017] FIG. 3 shows a series of malignant and benign tumor images from a liver specimen collected by the present invention. [0018] FIG. 4 shows a series of uterine images collected by the present invention. [0019] FIG. 5 shows a series of bladder images collected by the present invention. [0020] FIG. 6(a) shows a schematic layout of the main components of an example cystoscopic diagnostic system. [0021] FIG. 6(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the output tip of an example cystoscope. Continue reading... Full patent description for Autofluorescence detection and imaging of bladder cancer realized through a cystoscope Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Autofluorescence detection and imaging of bladder cancer realized through a cystoscope patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. 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