Apparatus and method for obtaining and providing imaging information associated with at least one portion of a sample, and effecting such portion(s)

• US 8,838,213 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tearney, Guillermo J., Bouma, Brett Eugene, Yelin, Dvir
• Primary Examiner(s): Roy, Baisakhi
• Application Number:
  US11/875,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20080097225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,524 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/478, 356/451, 356/477, 356/479, 356/497, 356/502, 356/627, 356/305
• US Class Current: 600/478
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00061 spectrum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0066 Optical coherence imaging
• 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

Abstract

Exemplary apparatus and process can be provided for imaging information associated with at least one portion of a sample. For example, (i) at least two first different wavelengths of at least one first electro-magnetic radiation can be provided within a first wavelength range provided on the portion of the sample so as to determine at least one first transverse location of the portion, and (ii) at least two second different wavelengths of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation are provided within a second wavelength range provided on the portion so as to determine at least one second transverse location of the portion. The first and second ranges can east partially overlap on the portion. Further, a relative phase between at least one third electro-magnetic radiation electro-magnetic radiation being returned from the sample and at least one fourth electro-magnetic radiation returned from a reference can be obtained to determine a relative depth location of the portion. First information of the portion based on the first transverse location and the relative depth location, and second information of the portion based on the second transverse location and the relative depth location can be obtained. The imaging information may include the first and second information.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing imaging information associated with at least one portion of a sample, comprising:

at least one structural first arrangement configured to provide (i) at least two first different wavelengths of at least one first electro-magnetic radiation within a first wavelength range provided on the at least one portion of the sample so as to determine at least one first transverse location of the at least one portion, and (ii) at least two second different wavelengths of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation within a second wavelength range provided on the at least one portion so as to determine at least one second transverse location of the at least one portion;

at least one structural second arrangement configured to obtain a relative phase between at least one third electro-magnetic radiation being returned from the sample and at least one fourth electro-magnetic radiation returned from a reference to determine a relative depth location of the at least one portion; and

at least one structural third arrangement configured to provide first information of the at least one portion based on the first transverse location and the relative depth location, and second information of the at least one portion based on the second transverse location and the relative depth location, wherein the imaging information includes the first and second information.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one structural third arrangement is further configured to generate further information for the at least one portion by combining the first and second information.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the at least one structural first arrangement is further configured to provide at least two third different wavelengths of at least one fifth electro-magnetic radiation within a third wavelength range provided on the at least one portion of the sample so as to determine at least one third transverse location of the at least one portion, and

wherein the at least one structural third arrangement is further configured to provide third information of the at least one portion based on the third transverse location and the relative depth location, wherein the imaging information includes the third information.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first information is associated with a red wavelength range, the second information is associated with a green wavelength range, and the third information is associated with a blue wavelength range.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging information is three-dimensional information.

6. An apparatus for providing imaging information associated with at least one portion of a sample, comprising:

at least one structural first arrangement configured to provide at least one wavelength of at least one particular electro-magnetic radiation provided on the at least one portion of the sample so as to determine at least one transverse location of the at least one portion;

at least one structural second arrangement configured to obtain a relative phase between at least one first electro-magnetic radiation being returned from a sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation returned from a reference to determine a motion of the at least one portion or of particles within or on the at least one portion; and

at least one structural third arrangement configured to provide the information of the at least one portion based on the at least one transverse location and the motion.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least one structural second arrangement is further configured to determine a relative depth location of the at least one portion, and wherein the at least one third arrangement is further configured to provide the information as a further function of the relative depth location.

8. A process for providing imaging information associated with at least one portion of a sample, comprising:

providing (i) at least two first different wavelengths of at least one first electro-magnetic radiation within a first wavelength range provided on the at least one portion of the sample so as to determine at least one first transverse location of the at least one portion, and (ii) at least two second different wavelengths of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation within a second wavelength range provided on the at least one portion so as to determine at least one second transverse location of the at least one portion;

obtaining a relative phase between at least one third electro-magnetic radiation being returned from the sample and at least one fourth electro-magnetic radiation returned from a reference to determine a relative depth location of the at least one portion; and

providing first information of the at least one portion based on the first transverse location and the relative depth location, and second information of the at least one portion based on the second transverse location and the relative depth location, wherein the imaging information includes the first and second information.