Systems for autofluorescent imaging and target ablation

• US 8,180,436 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2007
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Boyden, Edward S., Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Leuthardt, Eric C., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Rivet, Dennis J., Weaver, Thomas Allan, Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Jacqueline
• Application Number:
  US11/895,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20080059070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,726 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/473, 600/476
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/201 with beam delivery through a hollow tube, e.g. forming an articulated arm through a flexible conduit A61B18/22; Hand-pieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/203 applying laser energy to the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00066 intensity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00208 actively driven, e.g. by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00345 Vascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00505 Urinary tract
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00559 Female reproductive organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00785 Reflected power
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00904 Automatic detection of target tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00922 by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/20361 with redirecting based on sensed condition, e.g. tissue analysis or tissue movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/207 mixing two wavelengths
• 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 5/0084 : for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 : using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 : for oral or dental tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0091 : for mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0097 : by applying acoustic waves and detecting light, i.e. acoustooptic measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0507 : using microwaves or terahertz waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/07 : Endoradiosondes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 : Detecting or monitoring sepsis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4547 : Evaluating teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0602 : for treatment of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0606 : Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0607 : Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0609 : Stomach and/or esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/061 : Bladder and/or urethra
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0626 : Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0644 : Handheld applicators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0651 : Diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0654 : Lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 : infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 : ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0663 : Coloured light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1087 : Ions; Protons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1089 : Electrons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/01 : Devices for producing movement of radiation source during therapy A61N5/1077 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0603 : for treatment of body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 : Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 : for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 : using laser light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 : X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1001 : using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy

Abstract

Apparatus, devices, methods, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to autofluorescent imaging and ablation are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a first input associated with a first dataset, the first dataset including data representative of a target fluorescent response in one or more target cells to electromagnetic energy from a first optical energy source;

receiving a second input associated with a second dataset, the second dataset including data representative of an orientation of targeting electromagnetic energy from a second optical energy source alignable with the first optical energy source;

determining data representative of a location of a target area at least partially based on one or more of the first dataset and the second dataset; and

providing a first output to a first energy source in real time, the first output providing data representative of one or more ablation characteristics for at least partially ablating the target area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target fluorescent response is a target auto-fluorescent response.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the target fluorescent response is from one or more extrinsically provided markers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first input is from a sensor configured to detect the target fluorescent response.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first input includes data representative of one or more measurements of electromagnetic energy.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first input includes data representative of the target fluorescent response.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein data representative of the target fluorescent response includes one or more measurements of one or more temporal-spatial locations of the target fluorescent response.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first dataset includes data representative of one or more fluorescence characteristics of one or more constituents of the target area.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first dataset includes data representative of one or more numerical measurements for one or more constituents of the target area.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first dataset includes data representative of excitation energy.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first dataset includes data representative of ablation energy.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a first input associated with a first dataset, the first dataset including data representative of a target fluorescent response comprises:

receiving a first data entry associated with the first dataset.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accessing the first dataset in response to the first input.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving a first input associated with a first dataset comprises:

receiving a first request associated with the first dataset.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating the first dataset in response to the first input.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first input is from a sensor configured to detect the target fluorescent response.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a graphical illustration of the first dataset.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a graphical illustration of the first dataset comprises:

performing an analysis of one or more elements of the first dataset to determine the location of the target area; and

determining the graphical illustration based on the analysis.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a graphical illustration of the first dataset comprises:

performing an analysis of one or more elements of the first dataset to determine the location of the target area; and

determining the graphical illustration including data representative of one or more measurements of electromagnetic energy in association with a visual indicator related to the location of the target area.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a graphical illustration of the first dataset comprises:

performing an analysis of one or more elements of the first dataset to determine the location of the target area; and

determining the graphical illustration including data representative of one or more measurements of one or more temporal-spatial locations of the target fluorescent response in association with a visual indicator related to the location of the target area.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a graphical illustration of the first possible dataset comprises:

performing an analysis of one or more elements of the first dataset to determine the location of the target area; and

determining the graphical illustration including data representative of one or more characteristics of ablation energy in association with a visual indicator related to the location of the target area.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein determining a graphical illustration of the first dataset comprises:

determining the graphical illustration of a first outcome based on use of ablation energy having one or more characteristics.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a first output to a first energy source in real time comprises:

sending the first output to the first energy source.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first output to the first energy source comprises:

sending a first instruction associated with the first dataset to the first energy source, the first instruction containing data representative of one or more measurements of electromagnetic energy.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the first output to the first energy source comprises:

sending a first instruction associated with the first dataset to the first energy source, the first instruction containing data representative of one or more measurements of target fluorescent energy.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the first output to the first energy source comprises:

sending a first instruction associated with the first dataset to the first energy source, the first instruction containing data representative of one or more characteristics of ablation energy.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the first output to the first energy source comprises:

sending a first instruction associated with the first dataset to the first energy source, the first instruction containing data representative of one or more characteristics of targeting energy.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the first output to the first energy source comprises:

sending a first instruction associated with the first dataset to the first energy source, the first instruction containing data representative of the location of the target area to be at least partially ablated.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the first energy source is an electromagnetic energy source.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the first energy source is a charged particle source.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein the first output includes data representative of one or more characteristics of ablation energy for at least partially ablating the target area.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein the first output includes targeting data for at least partially ablating the target area.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein the first output includes data representative of the location of the target area to be at least partially ablated.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a first output to a first energy source in real time, the first output providing data representative of one or more ablation characteristics for at least partially ablating the target area comprises:

sending the first output to the first targeting energy source in real time, the first output providing data representative of the one or more ablation characteristics for at least partially ablating the target area.

35. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining data representative of one or more characteristics of excitation energy for inducing the target fluorescent response.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the excitation energy is electromagnetic energy.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the one or more characteristics of the excitation energy include strength of the excitation energy.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the one or more characteristics of the excitation energy include one or more wavelengths of the excitation energy.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the one or more characteristics of the excitation energy include one or more spatial parameters of the excitation energy.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the one or more characteristics of the excitation energy include one or more directional parameters of the excitation energy.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein the one or more characteristics of the excitation energy are selected from the group consisting of manual, programmable, automatic, remote-controlled, and feedback-controlled.

42. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining data representative of one or more characteristics of ablation energy for at least partially ablating the target area.

43. The method of claim 42, determining data representative of the one or more characteristics of the ablation energy for at least partially ablating the target area, wherein the one or more characteristics of the ablation energy are selected to optimally ablate the target area while minimizing ablation outside the target area.

44. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a third input associated with a third dataset, the third dataset including data representative of a second target fluorescent response following at least partial ablation of the target area; and

determining data representative of one or more characteristics of ablation energy for further ablating the target area at least partially based on the third dataset.

45. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a third input associated with a third dataset, the third dataset including data representative of a fluorescent response; and

determining data representative of one or more characteristics of excitation energy for inducing the target fluorescent response at least partially based on the third dataset.

46. A computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory signal bearing medium bearing

at least one of one or more instructions for receiving a first input associated with a first dataset, the first dataset including data representative of a target fluorescent response;

at least one of one or more instructions for receiving a second input associated with a second dataset, the second dataset including data representative of an orientation of targeting electromagnetic energy from a second optical energy source alignable with the first optical energy source;

at least one of one or more instructions for determining data representative of a location of a target area at least partially based on one or more of the first dataset and the second dataset; and

at least one of one or more instructions for providing a first output to a first energy source in real time, the first output providing data representative of one or more ablation characteristics for at least partially ablating the target area.

47. The computer program product of claim 46, further comprising:

one or more instructions for accessing the first dataset in response to the first input.

48. The computer program product of claim 46, further comprising:

one or more instructions for generating the first dataset in response to the first input.

49. The computer program product of claim 46, further comprising:

one or more instructions for determining a graphical illustration of the first dataset.

50. The computer program product of claim 46, further comprising:

one or more instructions for sending the first output associated with the first dataset.

51. The computer program product of claim 46, further comprising:

one or more instructions for determining data representative of one or more characteristics of excitation energy for inducing the target fluorescent response.

52. The computer program product of claim 46, further comprising:

one or more instructions for determining data representative of one or more characteristics of ablation energy for at least partially ablating the target area.

53. The computer program product of claim 46, further comprising:

one or more instructions for receiving a third input associated with a third dataset, the third dataset including data representative of a second target fluorescent response following at least partial ablation of the target area; and

one or more instructions for determining data representative of one or more characteristics of ablation energy for further ablating the target area at least partially based on the third dataset.

54. The computer program product of claim 46, further comprising:

one or more instructions for receiving a third input associated with a third dataset, the third dataset including data representative of a fluorescent response; and

one or more instructions for determining data representative of one or more characteristics of excitation energy for inducing the target fluorescent response at least partially based on the third possible dataset.

55. The computer program product of claim 46, wherein the non-transitory signal bearing medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

56. The computer program product of claim 46, wherein the non-transitory signal bearing medium includes a non-transitory recordable medium.

57. The computer program product of claim 46, wherein the non-transitory signal bearing medium includes a non-transitory communications medium.

58. A system comprising:

a computing device including a non-transitory signal bearing medium; and

one or more instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to receive a first input associated with a first dataset, the first dataset including data representative of a target fluorescent response;

one or more instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to receive a second input associated with a second dataset, the second dataset including data representative of an orientation of targeting electromagnetic energy from a second optical energy source alignable with the first optical energy source;

one or more instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to determine data representative of a location of a target area at least partially based on one or more of the first dataset and the second dataset; and

one or more instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to provide a first output to a first energy source in real time, the first output providing data representative of one or more ablation characteristics for at least partially ablating the target area.