Apparatus for Stabilizing Mechanical, Thermal, and Optical Properties and for Reducing the Fluorescence of Biological Samples for Optical Evaluation
First Claim
1. An apparatus for stabilizing an optical, thermal, and mechanical interface between a spectroscopic and/or imaging system and a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:
- an optical window which is substantially transparent to radiation from an optical excitation source of the spectroscopic and/or imaging system and which is substantially transparent to light scattered from the biological sample towards the spectroscopic and/or imaging system;
a fluid, gel, adhesive or elastomer interposed between and in contact with the optical window and the biological sample, wherein the fluid, gel, adhesive or elastomer is substantially transparent to the radiation from the optical excitation source and is substantially transparent to the scattered light from the biological sample; and
a means of attaching the optical window to the biological sample such that the biological sample remains in contact with the fluid, gel, adhesive or elastomer.
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Abstract
An apparatus is presented in which a sample can be accurately repositioned in a spectroscopic and/or imaging apparatus upon multiple insertions, and where the apparatus can be worn by living subjects for extended periods of time. The apparatus additionally reduces the temperature increase and stabilizes the temperature of the sample upon irradiation with an optical source of excitation. Additionally, the apparatus stabilizes the pressure and critical optical properties of the sample and its interface with the apparatus. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus can be used to alter and/or substantially reduce fluorescence from targeted fluorophores in the sample.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for stabilizing an optical, thermal, and mechanical interface between a spectroscopic and/or imaging system and a biological sample, the apparatus comprising:
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an optical window which is substantially transparent to radiation from an optical excitation source of the spectroscopic and/or imaging system and which is substantially transparent to light scattered from the biological sample towards the spectroscopic and/or imaging system; a fluid, gel, adhesive or elastomer interposed between and in contact with the optical window and the biological sample, wherein the fluid, gel, adhesive or elastomer is substantially transparent to the radiation from the optical excitation source and is substantially transparent to the scattered light from the biological sample; and a means of attaching the optical window to the biological sample such that the biological sample remains in contact with the fluid, gel, adhesive or elastomer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for reducing fluorescence from a biological sample illuminated by optical radiation, the apparatus comprising:
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a biological sample, and a fluid or gel in contact with the biological sample, the fluid or gel containing a substance that chemically binds to a targeted source of fluorescence in the biological sample reducing a fluorescence yield from the targeted source of fluorescence. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of reducing fluorescence from a biological sample illuminated by optical radiation, the method comprising applying a fluid or gel in contact with the biological sample, the fluid or gel containing a substance that chemically binds to a targeted source of fluorescence in the biological sample, thereby reducing a fluorescence yield from the targeted source of fluorescence.
Specification