Methods for measuring lung function using diffused light
First Claim
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1. A method for measuring lung function in a living animal subject comprising;
- (a) causing light of at least one wavelength, to contact a region of the lung within the subject;
wherein the at least one wavelength includes an isobestic wavelength;
(b) detecting a diffuse scattering pattern of light of each wavelength subsequent to its contact with the lung region;
(c) measuring the diffuse scattering pattern detected in step (b) to provide scattering data and;
(d) determining lung function information from the scattering data.
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Abstract
The method and device of the invention provides a measure of lung function at a preselected region of the lung by detecting and measuring light scattering following contact of the light onto lung tissue. Multiple parameters concerning the status of the lungs can be measured using a variety of wavelengths of light targeted at the lung tissue. In this way it is possible to determine regions of impaired lung function in patients with emphysema. The device utilizes an optical fiber, a light collection system and a spectral separation device to provide an image of the lung and to determine functional parameters such as gas exchange.
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21 Claims
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1. A method for measuring lung function in a living animal subject comprising;
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(a) causing light of at least one wavelength, to contact a region of the lung within the subject;
wherein the at least one wavelength includes an isobestic wavelength;(b) detecting a diffuse scattering pattern of light of each wavelength subsequent to its contact with the lung region; (c) measuring the diffuse scattering pattern detected in step (b) to provide scattering data and; (d) determining lung function information from the scattering data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for regional identification of functional tissue in a respiration impaired animal subject, comprising;
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(a) accessing the lungs in the subject and causing a light of at least one wavelength to contact a region of the lung within the subject;
wherein the at least one wavelength includes an isobestic wavelength;(b) detecting a diffuse scattering pattern of light over the region of the lung; (c) measuring the spatial variation of the intensity of the scattered light detected in step (b); (d) identifying functional tissue by the measurements obtained in step (c).
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Specification