Methods for obtaining enhanced spectroscopic information from living tissue, noninvasive assessment of skin condition and detection of skin abnormalities
First Claim
1. A method for obtaining an enhanced target signal containing spectroscopic information from living tissue of a subject comprising:
- (a) irradiating a tissue of interest in a subject with light having an excitation wavelength and that passes from a light source through a first adjustable lens along a first optical axis;
(b) passing spectra that are emitted by the tissue through a second adjustable lens along a second optical axis;
(c) collecting spectra that are passed through the second adjustable lens;
(d) analyzing the collected spectra to determine a target signal associated with an analyte of interest;
(e) adjusting the position of the first adjustable lens or the second adjustable lens along the optical axis of the lens;
(f) repeating steps (a)-(d);
(g) deriving a correction signal based on the difference between the target signal obtained before and after the adjusting of step (e); and
(h) adjusting the position of the first adjustable lens or the second adjustable lens along the optical axis of the lens on the basis of the correction signal so as to enhance the target signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a method for obtaining feedback to drive a servo system for aligning and maintaining alignment in optical systems that bring light to an in vivo skin sample, for adjusting the focus of the optical system, and for adjusting the net depth of focus of the optical system within the in vivo system under characterization. The invention additionally provides a method for obtaining feedback to drive a servo system for aligning and maintaining alignment in optical systems that collect light from an in vivo skin sample, and for adjusting the focus of the optical system. These methods comprise adjusting the angle of incidence of electromagnetic radiation and/or providing a shielding lens to block scattered incident light, or otherwise limiting the field of view of the Raman scattered radiation collection system to exclude optical surfaces of the excitation delivery portion of the optical system. Also provided is a method for identifying spectroscopic depth markers in tissues. In one embodiment, the method comprises discriminating between Raman signals originating on outer portions of skin from signals originating from substances deeper within the skin or other tissues. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for detecting skin abnormalities and for assessing the aging of skin and related tissues. The method comprises characterizing the content of the skin using Raman spectroscopy. In one embodiment, the collagen, elastin, and or keratin content of the skin is characterized.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for obtaining an enhanced target signal containing spectroscopic information from living tissue of a subject comprising:
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(a) irradiating a tissue of interest in a subject with light having an excitation wavelength and that passes from a light source through a first adjustable lens along a first optical axis;
(b) passing spectra that are emitted by the tissue through a second adjustable lens along a second optical axis;
(c) collecting spectra that are passed through the second adjustable lens;
(d) analyzing the collected spectra to determine a target signal associated with an analyte of interest;
(e) adjusting the position of the first adjustable lens or the second adjustable lens along the optical axis of the lens;
(f) repeating steps (a)-(d);
(g) deriving a correction signal based on the difference between the target signal obtained before and after the adjusting of step (e); and
(h) adjusting the position of the first adjustable lens or the second adjustable lens along the optical axis of the lens on the basis of the correction signal so as to enhance the target signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A non-invasive method for spectroscopically probing a target layer of skin in a subject comprising:
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(a) irradiating a target layer of skin in a subject with light having an excitation wavelength that passes from a light source through a first adjustable lens;
(b) passing spectra that are emitted by the tissue through a second adjustable lens;
(c) collecting spectra that are passed through the second adjustable lens;
(d) analyzing the collected spectra to determine a target signal associated with the target layer of skin;
(e) deriving a correction signal from the target signal; and
(f) relaying the correction signal to the first adjustable lens or to the second adjustable lens, wherein the correction signal effects an adjustment of the first adjustable lens or the second adjustable lens so as to increase the target signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for detecting abnormalities in living tissue of a subject comprising:
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(a) irradiating a tissue of interest in a subject with light having an excitation wavelength and that passes from a light source through a first adjustable lens along a first optical axis;
(b) passing spectra that are emitted by the tissue through a second adjustable lens;
(c) collecting spectra that are passed through the second adjustable lens along a second optical axis;
(d) analyzing the collected spectra to determine a target signal associated with a tissue feature indicative of an abnormality;
(e) deriving a correction signal from the target signal; and
(f) adjusting the position of the first adjustable lens or the second adjustable lens along the optical axis of the lens on the basis of the correction signal so as to enhance the target signal, thereby detecting the presence of an abnormality. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification