PHOTOACOUSTIC DETECTION OF ANALYTES IN SOLID TISSUE AND DETECTION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for detecting an analyte in solid tissue in vitro comprising:
- placing the solid tissue at a predetermined position;
irradiating the solid tissue with a pulsed wavelength of light selected to pass through the solid tissue with insubstantial absorption and to be at least partially absorbed by the analyte;
acoustically sensing a photoacoustic response generated by said step of irradiating for a period of time to obtain a photoacoustic waveform;
analyzing the photoacoustic acoustic waveform and attributing a detected response peak to the presence of analyte.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A preferred system for detecting an analyte in solid tissue, such as an intact lymph node, in vitro includes a laser arranged to generate a pulsed laser beam into solid tissue, which can be a fully intact lymph node. An acoustic sensor, and preferably at least three acoustic sensors are arranged in different positions to span a three dimensional space, such as in an X, Y and Z coordinate system, to detect photoacoustic signals generated within the lymph node. At least one computer receives signals from the acoustic sensor(s). The computer determines the presence or absence of, and preferably the position of analyte, from the signals and the timing of the signals. A preferred method for detecting an analyte in a lymph node in vitro includes exposing an extracted lymph node to a pulsed laser beam. A photoacoustic signal is sensed. The photoacoustic signal is analyzed to confirm the presence or absence of an analyte in the lymph node. Preferably, multiple photoacoustic signals are sensed from sensors that span a three dimensional space and the position of analyte is also determined.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for detecting an analyte in solid tissue in vitro comprising:
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placing the solid tissue at a predetermined position; irradiating the solid tissue with a pulsed wavelength of light selected to pass through the solid tissue with insubstantial absorption and to be at least partially absorbed by the analyte; acoustically sensing a photoacoustic response generated by said step of irradiating for a period of time to obtain a photoacoustic waveform; analyzing the photoacoustic acoustic waveform and attributing a detected response peak to the presence of analyte. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16)
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14. A system for detecting an analyte in solid tissue in vitro comprising:
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a sample holder configured to hold a solid tissue at a predetermined volume in the sample holder; a laser that can generate a pulsed laser beam; an optical focuser for directing the pulsed laser beam into the solid tissue; an acoustic sensor positioned for detecting photoacoustic response of analyte contained in solid tissue; and a computer for analyzing the photoacoustic response and determining the presence or absence of analyte in the solid tissue based upon the photoacoustic response. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for detecting an analyte in solid tissue in vitro comprising:
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exposing extracted solid tissue to a pulsed laser beam; detecting a photoacoustic signal resulting from said step of exposing; and
,analyzing the photoacoustic signal to confirm the presence or absence of an analyte in the solid tissue. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification