Transillumination diagnostic method and apparatus

• US RE32,718 E
• Filed: 01/25/1984
• Issued: 07/26/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sinus Medical Equipment AB
• Original Assignee: Sinus Medical Equipment AB
• Inventors: Ohlsson, Bjorn, Andersson, Torsten
• Primary Examiner(s): Coven, Edward M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Application Number:
  US06/573,614
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: 128/633, 128/664, 128/665, 128/23, 128/395-398, 354/62, 354/126, 250/341, 250/330, 250/492.1, 250/493.1, 356/51
• US Class Current: 600/473
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0091 for mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4312 Breast evaluation or disorder diagnosis A61B5/0091 takes precedence

Abstract

An instrument for indicating anomalies in human tissue comprises first and second light emitters. The first light emitter comprises a tungsten filament which transilluminates the tissue and visually indicates any anomalies therein. The second light emitter emits a light of higher intensity than the light from the first emitter. The second emitter is actuated while the tissue is being transilluminated by the first light emitter to make an exposure on infrared sensitive film located at an opposite side of the tissue.

Claims

1. A method of in situ differentially diagnosing pathological changes in human body tissue, comprising the steps of:

directing towards one side of the body tissue a shielded light transmitting instrument;

actuating a first low intensity light emitter in said instrument which comprises a tungsten filament, and which emits light from within the blue to within the infrared spectrum, which transilluminates the body tissue and visually indicates the presence of any anomalies in the tissue,

arranging infrared sensitive film at the opposite side of the body tissue, and

actuating a second light emitter emitting light from within the blue to within the infrared spectrum in said instrument to emit a second light of higher intensity than the light from said first emitter whereby light passing through the tissues makes an exposure on said infrared sensitive film.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of actuating a second light emitter comprises the step of actuating a flash lamp.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said film is spaced from said tissue when the exposure is made. .Iadd.

3. An instrument in combination with infrared sensitive film for detecting pathological changes in human body tissue, comprising:

a shielded light transmitting member having one end suitable for application against one side of human body tissue being examined,

a low-intensity light source emitting light from within the blue to within the infrared spectrum and located at the other end of said transmitter member and comprising;

.Iadd.(1) .Iaddend.a first light emitter comprising a tungsten filament for emitting a diffuse light which transilluminates the body tissue and visually indicates the presence of any anomalies in the tissue, and

.Iadd.(2) .Iaddend.a second light emitter for emitting a second light from within the blue to within the infrared spectrum of higher intensity than the light from said first emitter, for making an exposure on the infrared sensitive film located at the opposite side of the tissue.

4. An instrument according to claim 3 wherein said second light emitter comprises a flash lamp.

6. A method of in situ differentially diagnosing malignant tissue in human body tissue, comprising the steps of arranging infrared sensitive image generating means on one side of the body tissue, and directing toward the opposite side of the body tissue a light which includes light within the infrared spectrum so that light passing through the tissue is sensed by said infrared sensitive image generating means to produce an image for delineating the existence and location of maglignant tissue in the body tissue. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. The combination of infrared sensitive image generating and illuminating means for detecting malignant tissue in human body tissue, said illuminating means comprising a light transmitting member having one end suitable for direction toward a side of human body tissue disposed opposite a side thereof where said infrared sensitive image generating means is disposed, and a light source including a light emitter for emitting a light which includes light within the infrared spectrum for being sensed by said infrared sensitive image generating means after passing through the body tissue, in order to produce an image for delineating the existence and location of malignant tissue in the body tissue. .Iaddend.