Method for Raman chemical imaging and characterization of calcification in tissue

• US 20030018272A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chemimage Corporation
• Original Assignee: Chemimage Corporation
• Inventors: Nelson, Matthew P., Treado, Patrick J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,954,667 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0091 for mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4312 Breast evaluation or disorder diagnosis A61B5/0091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/65 Raman scattering

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for spatially resolved Raman detection of calcification in tissues are disclosed. A region of soft non-arterial biological tissue is illuminated with monochromatic light. A spatially organized first area of calcified tissue is then detected in the region by detecting a Raman shifted light signal. The Raman shifted light signal is spatially resolved in at least one direction.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

a) illuminating a region of soft non-arterial biological tissue with monochromatic light;

then

b) detecting a spatially organized first area of calcified tissue in the region, the calcified tissue detected by detecting a Raman shifted light signal, and

c) spatially resolving the Raman shifted light signal in at least one direction.

2. The method of claim 1, where the region is imaged using the Raman shifted light.

3. The method of claim 2, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a FAST fiber array spectral translator.

4. The method of claim 2, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Fabry Perot tunable filter.

5. The method of claim 2, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through an acousto-optic tunable filter.

6. The method of claim 2, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a liquid crystal tunable filter.

7. The method of claim 6, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Lyot filter.

8. The method of claim 7, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through an Evan'"'"'s split element liquid crystal tunable filter.

9. The method of claim 2, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a polarization-independent imaging interferometer.

10. The method of claim 9, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Michelson interferometer.

11. The method of claim 9, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Sagnac interferometer.

12. The method of claim 9, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Twynam-Green interferometer.

13. The method of claim 9, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

14. The method of claim 2, where the region is prepared for illumination, in a step previous to step a), by excision of the tissue and by placing a specimen prepared from the tissue in position for illumination and imaging, wherein the tissue is not treated with staining agents.

15. The method of claim 2, where the region is prepared for illumination, in a step previous to step a), by excision of the tissue and by placing a specimen prepared from the tissue in position for illumination and imaging, wherein the tissue is treated with staining agents.

16. The method of claim 1, where an endoscope is introduced into the region, and the spatially organized first area of calcified tissue is detected.

17. The method of claim 16, where the region is imaged using the Raman shifted light.

18. The method of claim 17, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a FAST fiber array spectral translator.

19. The method of claim 17, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Fabry Perot tunable filter.

20. The method of claim 17, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through an acousto-optic tunable filter.

21. The method of claim 17, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a liquid crystal tunable filter.

22. The method of claim 21, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Lyot filter.

23. The method of claim 22, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through an Evan'"'"'s split element liquid crystal tunable filter.

24. The method of claim 17, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a polarization-independent imaging interferometer.

25. The method of claim 24, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Michelson interferometer.

26. The method of claim 24, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Sagnac interferometer.

27. The method of claim 24, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Twynam-Green interferometer.

28. The method of claim 24, where the Raman shifted light from the region passes through a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

29. The method of claim 16, further comprising;

d) removing biopsy tissue material from a second area indicated by the spatially organized first area.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising;

e) examining the biopsy tissue material for signs of cancer.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising;

f) excising a third area indicated by the spatially organized first area of calcified tissue.

32. The method of claim 16, where a non-imaging endoscope is moved through the tissue in vivo, and the Raman shifted light signal is spatially resolved as the endoscope is moved through the tissue.