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METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTICALLY EVALUATING PROXIMITY TO THE INFERIOR ALVEOLAR NERVE IN SITU

  • US 20120271176A1
  • Filed: 12/19/2011
  • Published: 10/25/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A spectral absorption probe system for evaluating proximity to a tissue layer including an artery, comprising:

  • a light source for generating excitation light having a wavelength adapted for absorption by blood chromophores;

    an excitation optical channel to bring said excitation light near the tissue layer;

    a collection optical channel, distinct from said excitation optical channel, for capturing diffused back-scattered light from said tissue layer, modulated by blood flow in said artery;

    a light detector operatively connected to said collection optical channel; and

    a signal processor operatively connected to said light detector for determining a distance to said tissue layer based on said back-scattered light and on Beer-Lambert law of light absorption using a value for surrounding tissue attenuation coefficient (μ

    eff).

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