Apparatus and methods for analysing epithelial tissue histology
First Claim
1. An apparatus configured to create one or more spectral images of an epithelial surface for determination of the concentration and distribution of chromophores within the epithelial tissue surface comprising a light source to illuminate an area of the epithelial tissue surface with visible and infrared spectral light;
- wavelength selection means for selecting the wavelength of light remitted from the epithelial tissue surface;
intensity selection means for selecting the intensity of light remitted from one or more points of the epithelial tissue surface, and detection means for detecting the intensity of remitted light at one or more points from the epithelial tissue surface to create an image such that each point of the image corresponds to a value of the percentage of incident light remitted.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to apparatus and methodology for determining the distribution and concentration of chromophores within the epithelial tissue by illuminating an area of an epithelial tissue surface with visible and infrared spectral light. The epithelial tissue is illuminated with light of selected wavelength at a first intensity and an image of light remitted from the epithelial tissue surface is detected. The tissue is then illuminated at a second intensity and a second image is detected. A combined image is then produced such that each point of the image corresponds to a value of the percentage remittance at that position and has an intensity within that of the usable dynamic range of the detector.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus configured to create one or more spectral images of an epithelial surface for determination of the concentration and distribution of chromophores within the epithelial tissue surface comprising
a light source to illuminate an area of the epithelial tissue surface with visible and infrared spectral light; -
wavelength selection means for selecting the wavelength of light remitted from the epithelial tissue surface;
intensity selection means for selecting the intensity of light remitted from one or more points of the epithelial tissue surface, and detection means for detecting the intensity of remitted light at one or more points from the epithelial tissue surface to create an image such that each point of the image corresponds to a value of the percentage of incident light remitted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of determining the concentration and distribution of chromophores within an epithelial tissue using a detector having a defined usable dynamic range, wherein said method comprises the steps of
calibrating the intensity of light source and the homogeneity of the incident illumination illuminating the epithelial tissue surface at a first intensity of illumination; -
detecting the intensity of light remitted from the epithelial tissue surface; and
illuminating the epithelial tissue with at least one further level of illumination and detecting the image such that substantially each point of the image is detected within the dynamic range of the detector. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of creating a combined image having each point of the image detected within the usable dynamic range of the detector wherein said method comprises the steps of:
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calibrating the intensity of light source and the homogeneity of the incident illumination;
illuminating the epithelial tissue surface at a first intensity of illumination;
detecting the intensity of light remitted from the epithelial tissue surface; and
illuminating the epithelial tissue with at least one further level of illumination different from said first level detecting said image and, for each point of said image, selecting said first or second illumination intensity such that substantially each point of the image is detected within the dynamic range of the detector. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification