Polarized light scattering spectroscopy of tissue
First Claim
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1. A fiber optic probe for measuring a surface layer of tissue comprising:
- a fiber optic cable optically coupled to a light source, the fiber optic cable delivering light having a plurality of wavelengths from the light source onto the tissue of a patient;
a polarizer optically coupled to the fiber optic cable to polarize incident light directed through the cable onto the tissue;
an analyzer to separate polarization components of light returning from the tissue through the fiber optic cable, the returning light having a component that is periodic as a function of wavelength; and
a detector system that is optically coupled to the analyzer such that the detector system detects the separated polarization components of light including the periodic component, the detector system generating spectral data to determine a size of a structure in the tissue.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the use of polarized light to measure properties of tissue. More particularly, polarized light can be used to detect dysplasia in tissue as the polarization of back-scattered light from such tissues is preserved while the contribution of diffusely scattered light from underlying tissues can be removed. A fiber optic system for delivery and collection of light can be used to measure tissues within the human body.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fiber optic probe for measuring a surface layer of tissue comprising:
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a fiber optic cable optically coupled to a light source, the fiber optic cable delivering light having a plurality of wavelengths from the light source onto the tissue of a patient;
a polarizer optically coupled to the fiber optic cable to polarize incident light directed through the cable onto the tissue;
an analyzer to separate polarization components of light returning from the tissue through the fiber optic cable, the returning light having a component that is periodic as a function of wavelength; and
a detector system that is optically coupled to the analyzer such that the detector system detects the separated polarization components of light including the periodic component, the detector system generating spectral data to determine a size of a structure in the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fiber optic light delivery and collection system for measuring a surface layer of tissue comprising:
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a fiber optic probe housing having a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one central delivery fiber disposed in the fiber optic probe housing, the central delivery fiber coupled to a source through a fiber optic cable, the source providing, a plurality of wavelengths, and a polarizer coupled to the central delivery fiber to polarize incident light directed through the fiber optic cable onto the tissue;
at least one off-center collection fiber disposed in the fiber optic probe housing to collect light returning from the tissue having at least two different polarization components, one component that is periodic as a function of wavelength;
an analyzer coupled to the at least one off-center collection fiber to separate the polarization components of light returning from the tissue; and
a detector system that is optically coupled to the analyzer such that the detector system detects the separated polarization components of light including the periodic component, the detector system generating a spectrum of light having the polarization of the incident light to determine a size of a structure in the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification