Method and apparatus for evaluating connective tissue conditions
First Claim
1. A method for evaluating a supporting tissue condition of a patient, the method comprising:
- irradiating a portion of connective tissue of the patient using a light source;
receiving light from the portion of the connective tissue;
determining spectral content information associated with the received light; and
generating, based at least on the spectral content information, an indicator of the connective tissue condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a method for evaluating a connective tissue condition of a patient, an indicator of the supporting tissue condition may be generated. A portion of connective tissue of the patient is irradiated using a light source. The connective tissue may be irradiated in vivo through the skin or via an incision, for example. Alternatively, a biopsy of the connective tissue may be irradiated. Then, spectral content information for light scattered, reflected, or transmitted by the connective tissue is determined. The spectral content information is used, at least in part, to generate the indicator. The indicator may assist a physician in diagnosing or ruling out the connective tissue condition, determining a risk of developing a disease, monitoring the progression of a disease, monitoring a response to treatment, etc.
79 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method for evaluating a supporting tissue condition of a patient, the method comprising:
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irradiating a portion of connective tissue of the patient using a light source;
receiving light from the portion of the connective tissue;
determining spectral content information associated with the received light; and
generating, based at least on the spectral content information, an indicator of the connective tissue condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for evaluating a connective tissue condition of a patient, comprising:
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a light source;
a light receiver to receive light from a portion of connective tissue of a patient irradiated by the light source;
a spectrum analyzer optically coupled to receive light received by the light receiver, the spectrum analyzer configured to generate spectral content information associated with the received light; and
a computing device communicatively coupled to the spectrum analyzer, the computing device configured to generate diagnostic information indicative of the connective tissue condition based at least in part on the spectral content information. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for evaluating a cartilage tissue condition of a patient, the method comprising:
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irradiating a portion of cartilage tissue of the patient using a light source;
receiving light from the portion of the cartilage tissue;
determining Raman spectra information associated with the received light; and
generating, based at least on the Raman spectra information, an indicator of the cartilage tissue condition.
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48. An apparatus for evaluating a cartilage tissue condition of a patient, comprising:
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a light source;
a Raman probe to receive light scattered from a portion of cartilage tissue of a patient irradiated by the light source;
a spectrum analyzer coupled to receive light received by the light receiver and to determine Raman spectra information for the received light; and
a computing device coupled to the spectrum analyzer, the computing device configured to generate diagnostic information indicative of the cartilage tissue condition based at least in part on the Raman spectra information.
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Specification