Detection of lung cancer using breath luminescence
First Claim
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1. A method of screening for lung cancer in a human patient comprising the steps of:
- measuring the quantity of light spontaneously emitted by the patient'"'"'s breath; and
comparing the quantity of light so measured with a preestablished standard for persons of the same age as the patient who are free of lung cancer, whereby if the quantity of light emitted by the patient'"'"'s breath is substantially below the preestablished standard, the patient is considered a candidate for further diagnostic testing.
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Abstract
Subjects may be screened for possible lung cancer by a breath luminescence measurement apparatus and technique. The apparatus comprises a photon counter with special provisions for the exclusion of light from sources other than the patient'"'"'s breath. A special light exclusion mask is used together with tortuous breath exhaust passages to exclude external light. A gauze plug in the breathing tube excludes light emitted by the patient'"'"'s mouth tissues. Special adapters are provided so that the photon counter can be used for endoscopic measurement of internal tissue luminescence and for sample luminescence measurements.
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7 Claims
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1. A method of screening for lung cancer in a human patient comprising the steps of:
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measuring the quantity of light spontaneously emitted by the patient'"'"'s breath; and comparing the quantity of light so measured with a preestablished standard for persons of the same age as the patient who are free of lung cancer, whereby if the quantity of light emitted by the patient'"'"'s breath is substantially below the preestablished standard, the patient is considered a candidate for further diagnostic testing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification