Media.Player

A Diffusive Probe For Quantification Of Optical Properties Of Superficial Layers

Technology Application

This present invention is particularly useful in obtaining quantitative optical properties and chromophore concentrations of tissue components in vivo at superficial depths and "short" source-detector separations.  The probe is amenable to use in free space or in tissues that can be reached by endoscope or similar.  Applications include but are not limited to: glucose monitoring; determining quantitative optical properties of skin and oral pre-cancers and cancers; determining effectiveness of treatment for port wine stains at superficial layers of the skin; quantitative monitoring of the changes in superficial tumors in response to therapy; monitoring skin hydration; determination of skin pigmentation (melanin); monitoring of response of collagen to nonablative skin resurfacing and bilirubin monitoring (neonates). Another potential application of the method and probe design would be to determine quantitatively the concentrations and optical properties of the tissue components of the atherosclerotic plaque.  It has become apparent that acute coronary syndromes are very often caused by the disruption of vulnerable plaque. Current interventional cardiology techniques cannot adequately differentiate between vulnerable and stable plaques in-vivo. If delivered intravascularly via catheter (typically tissue depths of interest for characterization of vulnerable plaque range from a few tens of microns to a few hundreds of microns), this method potentially enables the clinician the capacity to detect inflammatory changes in addition to subsurface pools of lipid that may characterize this pathology.

Detailed Technology Description

Diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) has been successfully employed for quantitative determination of in vivo optical properties and chromophore concentrations of deep tissues such as breast and brain.  This invention is a method and probe design for obtaining quantitative optical properties and chromophore concentrations of tissue components "in-vivo" at superficial depths and "short" source detector separations. This domain, in which the source and detector are in relatively close proximity to one another, has up until now, been a significant challenge for obtaining quantitative optical properties of tissue. Researchers at the University of California have developed a fiber-based spectroscopic technique that can be used to quantify optical properties in superficial layers of tissue. In the past, quantitative characterization of superficial epithelial tissues such as skin and oral mucosa has been difficult due to the limiting assumptions in the models that are employed to describe light propagation in these tissues. In order to overcome these limitations, UCI researchers have developed a diffusive probe that will allow reduction of the source-detector separation while maintaining the validity of the diffusion approximation. This novel method employs a high scattering, low absorption layer placed on the surface of the tissue under investigation. This effectively increases the photon path length and allows the source-detector separation to be made arbitrarily small. The approach can be used in free space or for quantitative measurements of chromophores in tissues that can be reached by an endoscope, catheter or similar device.

Supplementary Information

Patent Number: US7304724B2
Application Number: US2005104033A
Inventor: Durkin, Anthony J. | Tseng, Sheng Hao
Priority Date: 13 Apr 2004
Priority Number: US7304724B2
Application Date: 12 Apr 2005
Publication Date: 4 Dec 2007
IPC Current: G01N002100 | G01N002131 | G01N002149 | G02B000600 | G01N002135
US Class: 356073 | 356326 | 356446 | 600310
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
Title: Method and apparatus for quantification of optical properties of superficial volumes
Usefulness: Method and apparatus for quantification of optical properties of superficial volumes
Summary: For obtaining optical properties of sample by performing diffuse optical spectroscopy on the sample (claimed) e.g. superficial biological tissues and non-biological tissues; useful for determination of in-vivo optical properties of deep tissues, for quantifying tumor physiology, in monitoring optical contrast agent dynamics; for quality control and process monitoring in the pharmaceutical industry, and in identifying vulnerable plaques and superficial lipid pools within the vasculature of patient.
Novelty: Diffuse optical spectroscopy device for obtaining optical properties of sample e.g. biological tissue comprises diffuser material having high scattering, low absorption material, interposed between source optical fibers and sample

Industry

Disease Diagnostic/Treatment

Sub Category

Cancer/Tumor

Application No.

7304724

Others

Tech ID/UC Case

18963/2004-502-0

Related Cases

2004-502-0

*Abstract

Researchers at the University of California have developed a fiber-based spectroscopic technique that can be used to quantify optical properties in superficial layers of tissue.

*IP Issue Date

Dec 4, 2007

*Principal Investigator

Name: Anthony Durkin

Department:

Name: Sheng-Hao Tseng

Department:

Country/Region

USA