Autofluorescent imaging and target ablation

• US 20080058587A1
• Filed: 08/24/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Weaver, Thomas, Boyden, Edward, Leuthardt, Eric, Hyde, Roderick, Rivet, Dennis, Myhrvold, Nathan, Wood, Lowell, Ishikawa, Muriel
• Granted Patent: US 8,160,680 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/201 with beam delivery through a hollow tube, e.g. forming an articulated arm through a flexible conduit A61B18/22; Hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/203 applying laser energy to the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00066 intensity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00208 actively driven, e.g. by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00345 Vascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00505 Urinary tract
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00785 Reflected power
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00904 Automatic detection of target tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00922 by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/20361 with redirecting based on sensed condition, e.g. tissue analysis or tissue movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/207 mixing two wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 : by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 : for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 : using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 : for oral or dental tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0091 : for mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0097 : by applying acoustic waves and detecting light, i.e. acoustooptic measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0507 : using microwaves or terahertz waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/07 : Endoradiosondes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 : Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4547 : Evaluating teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0602 : for treatment of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0606 : Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0607 : Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0609 : Stomach and/or esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/061 : Bladder and/or urethra
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0626 : Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0644 : Handheld applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 : Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0654 : Lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 : infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 : ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0663 : Coloured light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1087 : Ions; Protons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1089 : Electrons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/01 : Devices for producing movement of radiation source during therapy A61N5/1077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 : for treatment of body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 : Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 : for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 : using laser light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 : X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1001 : using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy

Abstract

Apparatus, devices, methods, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to autofluorescent imaging and ablation are disclosed.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

an untethered ingestible mass configured to rotate, wherein the untethered ingestible mass includes;

a first optical energy source configured to provide electromagnetic energy selected to stimulate an auto-fluorescent response in one or more target cells in a digestive tract;

a sensor configured to detect the auto-fluorescent response;

control circuitry coupled to the sensor and responsive to identify a target area; and

a second energy source responsive to the control circuitry and configured to emit energy selected to at least partially ablate the target area.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the untethered ingestible mass is cylindrical.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the untethered ingestible mass is designed to one or more of predictably rotate, continually rotate, or randomly rotate.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the untethered ingestible mass is shaped for non-uniform movement.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a motor coupled to an eccentric shaft-mounted mass.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the motor includes a power source.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the motor includes a timer.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the control circuitry is coupled to a power source and configured to control the motor.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes remote-control.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes feedback-control.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is programmable.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic energy selected to induce the auto-fluorescent response is two photon electromagnetic energy, wherein the two photon electromagnetic energy is focused at a depth beyond an interior surface of a wall of the digestive tract.

24. The device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic energy selected to induce the auto-fluorescent response is extended-spectrum electromagnetic energy.

31. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a third optical energy source alignable with the first optical energy source and configured to provide targeting electromagnetic energy;

wherein the third optical energy source is configured to provide one or more outputs to the control circuitry; and

wherein the one or more outputs include a visual indication of an orientation of the electromagnetic energy selected to induce the auto-fluorescent response.

41. The device of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic energy selected to induce the auto-fluorescent response is provided at a depth of approximately 0 to 3 mm beyond an interior surface of a wall of the digestive tract.

44. The device of claim 1, wherein the first optical energy source is one or more of programmable, feedback-controlled, or remote-controlled.

50. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the auto-fluorescent response over extended-spectrum electromagnetic energy.

53. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to detect one or more environmental parameters, wherein the one or more environmental parameters include one or more of pH or time.

59. The device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first optical energy source, the sensor, the second energy source, and the control circuitry are in a single unit.

64. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured to receive feedback from one or more of the sensor, the first optical energy source, the second energy source, or one or more external sources.

69. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured to provide one or more outputs to one or more external sources.

80. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is responsive to identify the target area in real time.

81. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is responsive to identify the target area at least partially based on rotation of the untethered ingestible mass.

88. The device of claim 1, wherein the second energy source is configured to emit energy selected to at least partially ablate the target area in real time.

98. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a fourth optical energy source alignable with the second energy source and configured to provide targeting electromagnetic energy;

wherein the fourth optical energy source is configured to provide one or more outputs to the control circuitry; and

wherein the one or more outputs include a visual indication of an orientation of the energy to at least partially ablate the identified target area.

4-5. -5. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

17-23. -23. (canceled)

25-30. -30. (canceled)

32-40. -40. (canceled)

42-43. -43. (canceled)

45-49. -49. (canceled)

51-52. -52. (canceled)

54-58. -58. (canceled)

60-63. -63. (canceled)

65-68. -68. (canceled)

70-79. -79. (canceled)

82-87. -87. (canceled)

89-97. -97. (canceled)

99-104. -104. (canceled)

105. A method for detecting and ablating a target area in a digestive tract comprising:

providing to a subject a rotating untethered ingestible mass;

providing from the untethered ingestible mass electromagnetic energy selected to induce an auto-fluorescent response in one or more target cells in the digestive tract;

detecting the auto-fluorescent response using a sensor in the untethered ingestible mass;

identifying the target area at least partially based on an analysis of the detected auto-fluorescent response; and

providing from the untethered ingestible mass energy configured to at least partially ablate the identified target area.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein the one or more target cells are one or more of one or more cancer cells, one or more pre-cancerous cells, one or more microbial cells, or one or more infected cells.

111. The method of claim 105, wherein providing to a subject a rotating untethered ingestible mass comprises:

providing to the subject one or more of a continually rotating untethered ingestible mass, a randomly rotating untethered ingestible mass, or a predictably rotating untethered ingestible mass.

114. The method of claim 105, wherein the untethered ingestable mass is cylindrical.

115. The method of claim 105, wherein the untethered ingestable mass is configured for non-uniform movement.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein the untethered ingestable mass configured for non-uniform movement comprises:

a motor coupled to an eccentric shaft-mounted mass.

122. The method of claim 116, further comprising:

controlling the motor using the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is coupled to the power source.

123. The method of claim 116, further comprising:

rotating the untethered ingestable mass using the motor.

124. The method of claim 105, further comprising:

selecting the electromagnetic energy to induce the auto-fluorescent response.

125. The method of claim 124, wherein selecting the electromagnetic energy to induce the auto-fluorescent response comprises:

selecting the electromagnetic energy to induce the auto-fluorescent response using control circuitry.

126. The method of claim 124, wherein selection of the electromagnetic energy to induce the auto-fluorescent response is one or more of programmable, feedback-controlled, or remote-controlled.

132. The method of claim 105, wherein the electromagnetic energy selected to induce the auto-fluorescent response is two photon electromagnetic energy.

137. The method of claim 132, wherein the two photon electromagnetic energy is focused at a depth beyond an interior surface of a wall of the digestive tract.

140. The method of claim 105, wherein the electromagnetic energy selected to induce the auto-fluorescent response is extended-spectrum electromagnetic energy.

149. The method of claim 105, further comprising:

providing from the untethered device targeting electromagnetic energy alignable with the electromagnetic energy selected to induce the auto-fluorescent response;

wherein the targeting electromagnetic energy provides a visual indication of an orientation of the electromagnetic energy selected to induce the auto-fluorescent response;

wherein the targeting electromagnetic energy is configured to provide one or more outputs to control circuitry; and

wherein the one or more outputs include a visual indication of an orientation of the electromagnetic energy selected to induce the auto-fluorescent response.

160. The method of claim 105, wherein the electromagnetic energy selected to induce the auto-fluorescent response is provided at a depth of approximately 0 to 3 mm beyond an interior surface of a wall of the digestive tract.

165. The method of claim 105, wherein the auto-fluorescent response is detected over an extended-spectrum of electromagnetic energy.

168. The method of claim 105, wherein the auto-fluorescent response is detected in a pH-dependent manner.

169. The method of claim 105, identifying the target area at least partially based on an analysis of the detected auto-fluorescent response comprises:

identifying the target area at least partially based on the analysis of the detected auto-fluorescent response using control circuitry coupled to the sensor.

175. The method of claim 169, wherein the control circuitry is one or more of programmable remote-controlled, or feedback-controlled.

178. The method of claim 175, wherein the control circuitry receives feedback from the sensor, and wherein the feedback includes one or more environmental parameters.

180. The method of claim 178, wherein the one or more environmental parameters include pH.

181. The method of claim 175, wherein the control circuitry receives feedback from one or more external sources.

183. The method of claim 169, wherein the control circuitry provides one or more outputs to one or more external sources.

190. The method of claim 169, wherein the control circuitry identifies the target area by analysis of one or more characteristics of the auto-fluorescent response.

191. The method of claim 169, wherein the control circuitry identifies the target area in real time.

203. The method of claim 105, wherein the target area is identified by analysis of one or more characteristics of the auto-fluorescent response.

204. The method of claim 105, wherein the target area is identified using control circuitry.

205. The method of claim 105, wherein identification of the target area is at least partially based on a programmed analysis of the detected auto-fluorescent response.

206. The method of claim 105, wherein identification of the target area is at least partially based on an automatic analysis of the detected auto-fluorescent response.

220. The method of claim 105, further comprising:

providing from the untethered ingestible mass targeting electromagnetic energy alignable with the electromagnetic energy to at least partially ablate the identified target area.

107-110. -110. (canceled)

112-113. -113. (canceled)

117-121. -121. (canceled)

127-131. -131. (canceled)

133-136. -136. (canceled)

138-139. -139. (canceled)

141-148. -148. (canceled)

150-159. -159. (canceled)

161-164. -164. (canceled)

166-167. -167. (canceled)

170-174. -174. (canceled)

176-177. -177. (canceled)

179. (canceled)

182. (canceled)

184-189. -189. (canceled)

192-202. -202. (canceled)

207-219. -219. (canceled)

221-226. -226. (canceled)

227. A method of treatment comprising:

providing to a subject a rotating untethered ingestible mass;

providing from the untethered ingestible mass electromagnetic energy selected to induce an auto-fluorescent response in one or more target cells in the digestive tract;

detecting the auto-fluorescent response using a sensor in the untethered ingestible mass;

identifying the target area at least partially based on an analysis of the detected auto-fluorescent response; and

providing from the untethered ingestible mass energy configured to at least partially ablate the identified target area.