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Techniques for identifying molecular structures and treating cell types lining a body lumen using fluorescence

  • US 7,515,953 B2
  • Filed: 08/01/2003
  • Issued: 04/07/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting fluorescence emitted by cells in a wall of a body lumen, comprising the steps of:

  • a. introducing a capsule swallowable by a human into a body lumen;

    b. illuminating cells in a lumen wall of the body lumen from a light source mounted in the capsule with a wavelength that excites a particular fluorescent signal;

    c. introducing to cells in the lumen wall including the illuminated cells, an exogenous fluorescent-labeled probe that binds to or is internalized by certain cells in the lumen wall comprising releasing the exogenous fluorescent-labeled probe from a first reservoir in the capsule and the particular fluorescent signal is emitted by the exogenous probe;

    d. generating an electric field from an electrode in the capsule to enhance uptake of the exogenous probe;

    e. detecting at a detector mounted in the capsule whether illuminated cells illuminated during step b emit the particular fluorescent signal;

    f. if the particular fluorescent signal is detected from the illuminated cells, then determining at least one of an intensity and a position in the lumen wall of the detected fluorescent signal;

    g. releasing a drug from a second reservoir in the capsule for killing abnormal cells indicated by the detected particular fluorescent signal; and

    h. controlling the movement of the capsule to keep it in place to monitor the efficacy of treatment by the released drug.

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