Apparatus for Stabilizing Mechanical, Thermal, and Optical Properties and for Reducing the Fluorescence of Biological Samples for Optical Evaluation

• US 20080186471A1
• Filed: 02/05/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diabesen Technologies (Beijing) Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: C8 MediSensors, Inc.
• Inventors: Lipson, Jan, Petrasek, Daniel, McNamara, Robert P., Bernhardt, Jeff, Freeman, William, Lipson, Joseph M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,973,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/651 Cuvettes therefore
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/01 Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/0303 Optical path conditioning in cuvettes, e.g. windows; adapted optical elements or systems; path modifying or adjustment G01N21/031 - G01N21/15 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/65 Raman scattering

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.

Claims

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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical window comprises the same material as the fluid, gel, adhesive or elastomer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biological sample comprises human tissue.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a thermal conductivity of the optical window is greater than a thermal conductivity of the biological sample.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an index of refraction of the fluid, gel, adhesive, or elastomer and an index of refraction of the optical window differ by less than 0.5.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical window has an antireflection coating on a side opposite from the biological sample.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical window has an antireflection coating on a side nearest the biological sample such that a reflection between the optical window and the fluid, gel, adhesive, or elastomer is less than 1%.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical window comprises diamond.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical window comprises sapphire.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical window comprises magnesium fluoride.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical window comprises zinc selenide.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid, gel, adhesive, or elastomer comprises water.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid, gel, adhesive, or elastomer comprises an oil having a vapor pressure at room temperature less than 50% of a vapor pressure of water at room temperature.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid, gel, adhesive, or elastomer comprises a silicone compound.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical window is retained by a frame, and the frame is attached to the biological sample with one or more straps.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical reference feature that allows the biological sample to be reproducibly positioned to a precision of less than 5 mm with respect to the spectroscopic and/or imaging system.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mechanical reference feature is circular in at least one plane.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least some material in contact with the biological sample has a coefficient of friction with respect to the biological sample greater than 0.1.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid, gel, adhesive, or elastomer comprises a 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.

20. An apparatus for reducing fluorescence from a biological sample illuminated by optical radiation, the apparatus comprising:

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.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the biological sample comprises human tissue.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the targeted source of fluorescence is melanin.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the fluid or gel contains Terphenyls or hydrogenated Terphenyls.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the fluid or gel contains mineral oil.

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.