Wound healing monitoring and treatment
First Claim
1. A polarization based diagnostic device for optically examining the medical condition of tissue comprising:
- a) an illumination optical system, comprising a light source, having one or more light emitters, and beam shaping optics, which together provide illumination light to the tissue being examined;
b) an optical detection system, comprising imaging optics and an optical detector array, for detecting light from said tissue;
c) polarizing optics, provided in both said illumination optical system and said optical detection system, which are crossed so as to pass orthogonal polarization states;
d) wherein iterative rotational means are provided to rotate the orthogonal polarization states relative to the tissue being examined;
e) image enhancement means, including some combination of image processing, sequential multi-spectral illumination and imaging, and image focus control to facilitate quality imaging at varying depths within said tissue; and
f) a controller for operating said light source, said detector array, said sequential multi-spectral illumination and imaging, and said image focus control, as well as providing image processing of the captured images to aid the diagnostic process.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A polarization based diagnostic device (200) for optically examining the medical condition of tissue (290) comprises an illumination optical system (205), comprising a light source (220) and beam shaping optics. An optical detection system (210) comprises imaging optics and an optical detector array, which detects light from the tissue. Polarizing optics provided in both the illumination optical system and the optical detection system are crossed and pass orthogonal polarization states. Iterative rotational means rotate the orthogonal polarization states relative to the tissue being examined. Image enhancement means includes image processing, sequential multi-spectral illumination and imaging, and image focus control to facilitate quality imaging at varying depths within the tissue. A controller (215) operates the light source, the detector array, the multi-spectral illumination and imaging, image focus control, and image processing.
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Citations
69 Claims
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1. A polarization based diagnostic device for optically examining the medical condition of tissue comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system, comprising a light source, having one or more light emitters, and beam shaping optics, which together provide illumination light to the tissue being examined;
b) an optical detection system, comprising imaging optics and an optical detector array, for detecting light from said tissue;
c) polarizing optics, provided in both said illumination optical system and said optical detection system, which are crossed so as to pass orthogonal polarization states;
d) wherein iterative rotational means are provided to rotate the orthogonal polarization states relative to the tissue being examined;
e) image enhancement means, including some combination of image processing, sequential multi-spectral illumination and imaging, and image focus control to facilitate quality imaging at varying depths within said tissue; and
f) a controller for operating said light source, said detector array, said sequential multi-spectral illumination and imaging, and said image focus control, as well as providing image processing of the captured images to aid the diagnostic process. - 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, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A polarization based diagnostic device for optically examining the medical condition of tissue, comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system, comprising a light source, having one or more light emitters, illumination beam shaping optics, and polarizing optics, for providing illumination light;
b) an optical detection system, comprising focusing optics, an optical detector array, and polarizing optics which are nominally wire grid polarizers, which receives image light;
c) a polarization beamsplitter for re-directing either said illumination light or said image light such that said illumination light and said image light traverse a common optical path between said polarization beamsplitter and said tissue;
d) a waveplate, located after the beam combining optics, for simultaneously rotating the polarized illumination and polarized imaging light;
e) an objective lens with a focus control means for directing illumination light to the tissue and collecting image light from the tissue;
f) a controller for operating the light source, the detector array, the focus control, the rotational motion of the waveplate, and for providing image processing of the captured images to aid the diagnostic process;
g) an image enhancement means within said controller; and
wherein said polarizing optics, provided in both said illumination optical system and said optical detection system, are crossed so as to comprise orthogonal polarization states. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A polarization based diagnostic device for optically examining the medical condition of tissue, comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system, comprising a light source, having one or more light emitters, illumination beam shaping optics, and polarizing optics, for providing illumination light to said tissue;
b) an optical detection system, comprising imaging optics, an optical detector array, and polarizing optics which are nominally wire grid polarizers, which receives image light from said tissue;
c) a beamsplitter for re-directing either said illumination light or said image light such that said illumination light and said image light traverse a common optical path between said beamsplitter and said tissue;
d) a waveplate, located between said beamsplitter and said tissue, for simultaneously rotating the polarized illumination and polarized imaging light;
e) an objective lens with a focus control for directing said illumination light to said tissue and collecting said image light from said tissue;
f) a controller for operating at least said light source, said detector array, said focus control, said rotational motion of said waveplate, and for providing image processing of the captured images to aid the diagnostic process;
wherein said polarizing optics, provided in said illumination optical system and said optical detection system, are crossed so as to define nominally orthogonal polarization states; and
wherein said illumination light is controlled to provide a sequential multi-spectral illumination of said tissue.
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47. A polarization based diagnostic device for optically examining the medical condition of tissue, comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system, comprising a light source, having one or more light emitters, illumination beam shaping optics, and polarizing optics, for providing illumination light to said tissue;
b) an optical detection system, comprising imaging optics, an optical detector array, and polarizing optics which are nominally wire grid polarizers, which receives image light from said tissue;
c) a beamsplitter for re-directing either said illumination light or said image light such that said illumination light and said image light traverse a common optical path between said beamsplitter and said tissue;
d) an objective lens with a focus control for directing said illumination light to said tissue and collecting said image light from said tissue;
wherein said polarizing optics, provided in said illumination optical system and said optical detection system, are independently and iteratively rotated so as to define variable polarization states relative to said tissue;
wherein said illumination light is controlled to provide a sequential multi-spectral illumination of said tissue; and
e) a controller for operating at least said light source, said detector array, said focus control, said rotational motion of said polarizers, and for providing image processing of the captured images to aid the diagnostic process.
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48. A polarization based diagnostic device for optically examining the medical condition of tissue, comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system, comprising a light source, having one or more light emitters, illumination beam shaping optics, and polarizing optics, for providing illumination light to said tissue;
b) an optical detection system, comprising imaging optics, polarizing optics, and an optical detector array, which receive image light from said tissue;
c) a beamsplitter for re-directing either said illumination light or said image light such that said illumination light and said image light traverse a common optical path between said beamsplitter and said tissue;
d) an objective lens with a focus control for directing said illumination light to said tissue and collecting said image light from said tissue;
wherein said polarizing optics, provided in said illumination optical system and said optical detection system, are crossed so as to define nominally orthogonal polarization states;
wherein said polarizing optics in said illumination optical system and said optical detection system are rotated iteratively, in unison, relative to the tissue being examined; and
e) a controller for operating at least said light source, said detector array, said focus control, said rotational motion, and for providing image processing of the captured images to aid the diagnostic process. - View Dependent Claims (49)
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50. A device for light application to tissue in vivo, having a diagnostic operational mode which examines the condition of the said tissue by using polarized light, and having a therapeutic operational mode, which applies polarized incident light to said tissue, comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system, comprising a light source, having one or more light emitters, illumination beam shaping optics, and polarizing optics, for providing illumination light;
b) an optical detection system, comprising focusing optics, polarizing optics, and an optical detector array which receives image light;
c) a beamsplitter for re-directing either said illumination light or said image light such that said illumination light and said image light traverse a common optical path between said beamsplitter and said tissue;
d) an objective lens with a focus control means for directing illumination light to said tissue and collecting image light from said tissue;
wherein said polarizing optics, provided in said illumination optical system and said optical detection system, are independently and iteratively rotated so as to define variable polarization states relative to said tissue;
wherein said illumination light is controlled to provide multi-spectral illumination of said tissue; and
e) a controller, used in both diagnostic mode and therapy mode, for operating said light source, said detector array, said focus control, and said rotational motion of said polarizers.
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51. An apparatus for light application to tissue in vivo, having a diagnostic light operational mode which examines the condition of the said tissue by using polarized light, and having a therapeutic light operational mode, comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system, comprising a light source, having one or more light emitters, illumination beam shaping optics, and polarizing optics, for providing illumination light;
b) an optical detection system, comprising focusing optics, and polarizing optics, an optical detector array, which receives image light;
c) beam combining optics comprising a polarization beamsplitter for combining the illumination light and the imaging light;
d) a waveplate, located after the beam combining optics, for simultaneously rotating the polarized illumination and polarized imaging light;
e) an objective lens with a focus control means for directing illumination light to the tissue and collecting image light from the tissue;
wherein the polarizing optics, provided in both said illumination optical system and said optical detection system, are crossed so as to comprise orthogonal polarization states; and
f) a controller, used in both diagnostic mode and therapy mode, for operating said light source, said detector array, said focus control, said rotational motion of said waveplate. - View Dependent Claims (53)
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52. A polarization based diagnostic device for optically examining the medical condition of tissue, comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system, comprising a light source, which provides illumination light to said tissue;
b) an optical detection system, comprising imaging optics and an optical detector array;
c) a first polarizer in said illumination system;
d) a second polarizer in said detection system;
e) wherein said first polarizer and said second polarizer are crossed so as to pass orthogonal polarization states; and
f) wherein said first and second polarizers are rotated iteratively, in unison, relative to the tissue being examined. - View Dependent Claims (54)
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55. A polarization based diagnostic device for optically examining medical condition of tissue, comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system for providing sequential multispectral illumination to said tissue;
b) an optical detection system for detecting and focusing light from said tissue;
c) a first polarizer in said illumination system;
d) a second polarizer in said detection system; and
e) wherein said first and second polarizers are independently and iteratively rotated so as to define variable polarization states relative to said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57)
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58. A polarization based diagnostic device for optically examining the medical condition of tissue, comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system comprising a light source, which provides illumination light to said tissue;
b) a first polarizer in said illumination system;
c) an optical detection system comprising imaging optics and an optical detector array for detecting image light from said tissue;
d) a second polarizer in said detection system;
e) a beamsplitter for re-directing either said illumination light or said image light such that said illumination light and said image light traverse a common optical path between said beamsplitter and said tissue;
f) wherein said first polarizer and said second polarizer are crossed so as to define nominally orthogonal polarization states; and
g) a wave plate, located between said beamsplitter and said tissue, wherein said wave plate is rotated iteratively. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60)
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61. A polarization based diagnostic device for optically examining the medical condition of tissue, comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system, comprising a light source, having one or more light emitters and illumination beam shaping optics for providing illumination light;
b) an optical detection system, comprising focusing optics and an optical detector array which receives image light;
c) polarizing optics, provided in both said illumination optical system and said optical detection system, which are crossed so as to pass orthogonal polarization states;
wherein iterative rotational means are provided to rotate the polarizers and thus rotate the orthogonal polarization states relative to the tissue being examined;
d) beam combining optics for combining the illumination light and the imaging light;
e) an objective lens with a focus control means for directing illumination light to the tissue and collecting image light from the tissue;
f) a controller for operating the light source, the detector array, the focus control, the rotational motion of the polarizers, and for providing image processing of the captured images to aid the diagnostic process; and
g) image enhancement means within said controller, which utilizes some combination of image processing, sequential multi-spectral illumination and imaging and image focus control to facilitate quality imaging at varying depths within said tissue.
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62. A method for using a polarization based diagnostic device to examine the condition of tissue comprising:
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a) directing polarized illumination light at the tissue using an illumination system;
b) collecting image light which is of an orthogonal polarization state to said illumination light from said tissue with an imaging system;
c) iteratively and synchronously rotating the polarization state of the illumination and the orthogonal polarization state collected by said imaging system;
d) processing image data collected by said imaging system to produce digital images and metrics related to the state of the tissue;
e) refocusing said imaging system; and
f) collecting additional images at different depths in the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65)
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66. A method for using a polarization based diagnostic device to examine the condition of tissue in conjunction with light therapy, including:
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a) directing polarized light at the tissue using an illumination system;
b) collecting polarized image light emerging from said tissue with an imaging system;
c) detecting said image light to produce image data;
d) processing said image data to produce digital images and diagnostic metrics concerning the state of the tissue;
e) applying the image data and diagnostic metric data to determine a protocol for light therapy treatment; and
f) applying light therapy as a treatment. - View Dependent Claims (67)
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68. A method for light therapy, comprising application of light to a patient in combination with diagnosis of the condition of the collagen network within the tissue being treated, the method comprising:
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a) applying a therapeutic light treatment method to a patient;
b) sensing the condition of the collagen network in the tissue of said patient, by detecting the effect the birefringence of said collagen network has on an incident diagnostic light beam;
c) assessing the need for applying said therapeutic light treatment onto said tissue, and thereby optimizing the dosage of the light therapy relative to various parameters, including the wavelength, intensity, modulation, repeat frequency, and location of light application onto said tissue; and
d) modifying the dosage parameters of said therapeutic light treatment in accordance with the detected condition of said collagen network.
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69. A polarization based diagnostic device for optically examining the medical condition of tissue, comprising:
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a) an illumination optical system, comprising a light source, having one or more light emitters, illumination beam shaping optics, and polarizing optics, for providing illumination light to said tissue;
b) an optical detection system, comprising imaging optics, an optical detector array, and polarizing optics which are nominally wire grid polarizers, which receives image light from said tissue;
c) a beamsplitter for re-directing either said illumination light or said image light such that said illumination light and said image light traverse a common optical path between said beamsplitter and said tissue;
d) an objective lens with a focus control for directing said illumination light to said tissue and collecting said image light from said tissue;
wherein said illumination light is controlled to provide a sequential multi-spectral illumination of said tissue;
e) a controller for operating at least said light source, said detector array, said focus control, and for providing image processing of the captured images to aid the diagnostic process; and
wherein said device include an image enhancement means selected from a group comprising image processing, sequential multi-spectral illumination, and image focus control for imaging at varying depths within said tissue.
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Specification