Contrast agent for multispectral infrared transillumination and fluorescence of turbid media

• US 6,175,759 B1
• Filed: 06/28/1999
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Air Force
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Levine, Robert Y., Chan, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): VAN, QUANG T
• Application Number:
  US09/340,593
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 600/431, 600/473, 600/475, 600/310, 600/317, 600/407, 600/425
• US Class Current: 600/431
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0091 for mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4312 Breast evaluation or disorder diagnosis A61B5/0091 takes precedence

Abstract

A non-invasive multispectral energy system made up of a transilluminating radiating means that illuminates soft tissues that have been treated with a contrast agent using first and second non-IR illuminating signals to produce thereby a first and second near-IR multispectral images; means for optically combining the first and second near-IR multispectral images into a combined tissue image; and a means for processing the combined tissue image to detect cancer and tumors. The non-invasive multispectral imaging system uses a diode laser system that emits the first and second near-IR illuminating signals with wavelengths selected from a range between 750 nm and 1,000 nm as a radiating means and a CCD camera. which is placed in a location with the soft tissues between the CCD camera and the transilluminating radiating means. IR dyes and endogenous chromophores and fluorsphores enhance IR contrast and tumor sites. IR contrast agents such as Indeganine Green (ICG) are used.

Claims

1. A non-invasive multispectral imaging system which comprises:

a transilluminating radiating means that illuminates soft tissues that have been treated with a contrast agent using first and second near-IR illuminating signals to produce thereby a first and second near-IR multispectral image;

a means for optically combining the first and second near-IR multispectral images into a combined tissue image; and

a means for processing the combined tissue image to detect cancer and tumors.

2. A non-invasive multispectral imaging system as defined in claim 1 wherein said radiating means comprises a diode laser system that emits the first and second near-IR illuminating signals with wavelengths selected from a range between 750 nm and 1,000 nm.

3. A non-invasive multispectral imaging system as defined in claim 1 wherein said optically combining means comprises a CCD camera which is placed in a location with the soft tissues between the CCD camera and the transilluminating means.

4. A non-invasive multispectral imaging system as defined in claim 3 further comprising a means for injecting IR dyes and endogenous chromophores and fluophores to facilitate tumors, cancer and internal bleeding.

5. A non-invasive multispectral imaging system as defined in claim 4 wherein said IR dyes comprise indocyanine green (ICG).

6. A non-invasive multispectral imaging process which comprises the steps of:

transilluminating radiating signals that illuminate soft tissues that have been treated with a contrast agent using a source of first and second near-IR illuminating signals to produce thereby a first and second near-IR multispectral image;

optically combining the first and second near-IR multispectral images into a combined tissue image; and

processing the combined tissue image to detect cancer and tumors.

7. A non-invasive multispectral imaging process as defined in claim 6 wherein said radiating step comprises a use of a diode laser system that emits the first and second near-IR illuminating signals with wavelengths selected from a range between 750 nm and 1,000 nm.

8. A non-invasive multispectral imaging process as defined in claim 7 wherein said optically combining step comprises using a CCD camera which is placed in a location with the soft tissues between the CCD camera and the source of first and second near-IR illuminating signals.

9. A non-invasive multispectral imaging process as defined in claim 8 further comprising injecting IR dyes and endogenous chromophores and fluophores to facilitate tumors, cancer and internal bleeding.

10. A non-invasive multispectral imaging process as defined in claim 9 wherein said IR dyes comprise indocyanine green (ICG).