Methods and apparatus for obtaining enhanced spectroscopic information from living tissue
First Claim
1. A method for stabilizing a wavelength of light emitted by a diode laser comprising:
- (a) irradiating a specimen with excitation light from the diode laser;
(b) collecting Raman spectra at a positive target wavelength and at a negative target wavelength emitted by the irradiated specimen, wherein the positive target wavelength is associated with an abundant feature in the specimen and wherein the negative target wavelength is associated with a scant feature in the specimen;
(c) determining a quantitative difference between the spectra emitted at the positive target wavelength and the spectra emitted at the negative target wavelength;
(d) relaying to the diode laser a signal proportional to the determined difference; and
(e) regulating the temperature of the diode laser so as to maintain a maximal difference between the spectra emitted at the positive target wavelength and the spectra emitted at the negative target wavelength.
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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. 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. 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.
129 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for stabilizing a wavelength of light emitted by a diode laser comprising:
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(a) irradiating a specimen with excitation light from the diode laser;
(b) collecting Raman spectra at a positive target wavelength and at a negative target wavelength emitted by the irradiated specimen, wherein the positive target wavelength is associated with an abundant feature in the specimen and wherein the negative target wavelength is associated with a scant feature in the specimen;
(c) determining a quantitative difference between the spectra emitted at the positive target wavelength and the spectra emitted at the negative target wavelength;
(d) relaying to the diode laser a signal proportional to the determined difference; and
(e) regulating the temperature of the diode laser so as to maintain a maximal difference between the spectra emitted at the positive target wavelength and the spectra emitted at the negative target wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for enhancing spectroscopic information from living tissue of a subject comprising
(a) a diode laser for irradiating a specimen with excitation light from the diode laser; -
(b) detector means fir collecting Raman spectra at a positive target wavelength and at a negative target wavelength emitted by an irradiated specimen, wherein the positive target wavelength is associated with an abundant feature in the specimen and wherein the negative target wavelength is associated with a scant feature in the specimen;
(c) processor means for determining a quantitative difference between the spectra emitted at the positive target wavelength and the spectra emitted at the negative target wavelength;
(d) means for relaying to the diode laser an output signal proportional to the determined difference; and
(e) means for regulating the temperature of the diode laser so as to maintain a maximal difference between the spectra emitted at the positive target wavelength and the spectra emitted at the negative target wavelength, wherein the output signal regulates the temperature of the diode laser, thereby stabilizing the wavelength or amplitude of light emitted by the diode laser. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification