Method and apparatus for evaluating connective tissue conditions
First Claim
1. A method for evaluating a connective tissue condition of a patient, the method comprising:
- irradiating a portion of tissue of the patient using a light source, the tissue at a first location of the body of the patient;
receiving light from the portion of the tissue;
determining spectral content information associated with the received light; and
generating, based at least on the spectral content information, an indicator of a connective tissue condition associated with connective tissue at a second location of the body of the patient, the second location remote from the first location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for evaluating a connective tissue condition of a patient (e.g., a disease, a risk of developing a disease, a risk of developing a fracture, etc.). For example, an indicator associated with the connective tissue condition may be generated. First, tissue at a first location of the body of the patient is irradiated using a light source. The tissue may be irradiated in vivo through the skin or via an incision, for example. Alternatively, a biopsy of the tissue may be irradiated. Then, spectral content information for light scattered, reflected, or transmitted by the irradiated tissue is determined. The spectral content information may be used, at least in part, to generate an indicator associated with a condition of connective tissue at a second location of the body of the patient, the second location remote from the first location. The indicator may, for example, assist a physician in diagnosing or ruling out the connective tissue condition.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for evaluating a connective tissue condition of a patient, the method comprising:
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irradiating a portion of tissue of the patient using a light source, the tissue at a first location of the body of the patient;
receiving light from the portion of the tissue;
determining spectral content information associated with the received light; and
generating, based at least on the spectral content information, an indicator of a connective tissue condition associated with connective tissue at a second location of the body of the patient, the second location remote from the first location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. 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 tissue of a patient irradiated by the light source, the tissue from a first location of a body of the patient;
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 a connective tissue condition based at least in part on the spectral content information, the connective tissue condition associated with connective tissue at a second location of the body of the patient, the second location remote from the first location. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for evaluating ocular tissue of a patient, the method comprising:
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irradiating a portion of ocular tissue of the patient using a light source;
receiving light from the portion of the ocular tissue;
determining Raman spectra information associated with the received light; and
generating, based at least on the Raman spectra information, an indicator of an ocular tissue condition. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An apparatus for evaluating ocular tissue of a patient, comprising:
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a light source;
a Raman probe to receive light scattered from a portion of ocular 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 an ocular tissue condition based at least in part on the Raman spectra information.
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Specification