Systems and methods for sidesstream dark field imaging

• US 8,064,976 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2004
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Academisch Medisch Centrum
• Original Assignee: Can Ince
• Inventors: Ince, Can
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHTA, PARIKHA SOLANKI
• Application Number:
  US10/956,610
• Publication Number:
  US 20070232874A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,608 Days
• Field of Search: 600/320, 600/200, 600/407, 600/476, 385/115
• US Class Current: 600/343
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/004 adapted for image acquisition of a particular organ or body part A61B5/0082 takes precedence; arrangements for optical scanning A61B5/0062
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02007 Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14556 by fluorescence A61B5/14555 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/72 Signal processing specially adapted for physiological signals or for diagnostic purposes character recognition, recognising digital ink, document-oriented image-based pattern recognition G06V30/00; recognition or understanding of postal images G06V30/424

Abstract

Systems and methods for imaging the reflectance of a substrate, such as a tissue substrate, may include a light source, a light transport body configured to project light from the light source to an examination substrate and transmit light reflected by the examination substrate, and an analysis section in optical communication with the light transport body and having a reflectance avoidance imaging module and at least one of a reflectance spectrophotometry module and a fluorescence imaging module. Methods may include utilizing the microcirculatory flow information, oxygen availability information, and the adequacy of oxygenation of tissue cells information, making an early and sensitive determination regarding states of shock in patients.

Claims

1. A handheld system for sidestream dark field imaging of tissue beneath a tissue surface, comprising:

an elongate body portion including an imaging passage extending along a length of the elongate body portion;

one or more illumination passages which are disposed radially about the imaging passage within the elongate body portion and which are optically isolated from the imaging passage along an entire length of the imaging passage for surface reflection avoidance or reduction when an examination tip of the elongate body portion is proximate the tissue surface;

a plurality of light emitting diodes which are disposed within the one or more illumination passages, which are disposed in a distal portion of the elongate body portion, which are disposed in a position configured to be in close proximity to the tissue surface during use, and which are configured to directly project light onto a first tissue site via the one or more illumination passages; and

an image capture device comprising a camera optically coupled to the imaging passage and configured to capture image data of tissue beneath the tissue surface from a second tissue site different from and adjacent to the first tissue site.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one isolation surface which is configured to optically isolate an illumination field of the first tissue site from an imaging field of the second tissue site.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a disposable detachable cap disposed over a distal portion of the elongate body portion having a distal window configured to allow illumination and imaging therethrough.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising an annular spacer disposed on the distal end of the elongate body portion configured to minimize mechanical contact by the distal portion of the body portion with the second tissue site.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the light emitting diodes comprise green light emitting diodes.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a handle secured to the elongate body portion and configured to be held by a user.

7. A method of imaging tissue beneath a tissue surface, comprising:

providing a system for side stream dark field imaging of tissue beneath a tissue surface, including;

an elongate body portion including an imaging passage extending along a length of the elongate body portion,

one or more illumination passages which are disposed radially about the imaging passage within the elongate body portion and which are optically isolated from the imaging passage along an entire length of the imaging passage for surface reflection avoidance or reduction when an examination tip of the elongate body portion is proximate the tissue surface,

one or more emitters which are disposed within the one or more illumination passages, which are disposed in a distal portion of the elongate body portion, which are disposed in a position configured to be in close proximity to the tissue surface during use, and which are configured to directly project light onto a first tissue site via the one or more illumination passages, and

an image capture device comprising a camera optically coupled to the imaging passage;

emitting light from the one or more emitters onto the first tissue site;

gathering light from a second tissue site through the imaging passage with the image capture device and imaging tissue beneath a surface of the second tissue site.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the imaged tissue of the second tissue site comprises sublingual tissue.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the imaged tissue of the second tissue site comprises microcapillaries.