APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ELUCIDATING REACTION DYNAMICS OF PHOTOREACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM OPTICAL SIGNALS AFFECTED BY AN EXTERNAL MAGNETIC FIELD

• US 20090198114A1
• Filed: 03/05/2009
• Published: 08/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Institut national d'optique
• Original Assignee: Institut national d'optique
• Inventors: Long, William F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,005,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• 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 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/002 in combination with another treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent

Abstract

An apparatus and method for elucidating reaction dynamics of photoreactive compounds from time-resolved optical signals affected by an external magnetic field. The apparatus includes a coil or magnet for applying a magnetic field at a region of interest (ROI). The apparatus further includes a light or laser for illuminating the ROI with a probe beam. An optical fiber collects light emitted by the probe beam; and a computer analyses the collected light.

Claims

1. An apparatus for elucidating reaction dynamics of photoreactive compounds, comprising:

means for applying a magnetic field at a region of interest (ROI);

means for simultaneously illuminating said ROI with a probe beam,

the combination of applying a magnetic field and illuminating said ROI inducing and affecting a chemical reaction in said photoreactive compounds;

means for illuminating said ROI with a probe beam;

means for collecting light emitted by said probe beam; and

means for analysing said collected light.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means for applying a magnetic field, and said means for collecting light are placed in a housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said housing further includes means for applying a therapeutic beam.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said housing includes a pulse oximeter, an oxygen electrode, or both.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for applying a magnetic field include at least one permanent magnet or at least one coil.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means for applying a magnetic field are adapted be turned on or off;

are adapted to be sinusoidally modulated;

are adapted to vary a strength of said field over time;

or a combination thereof;

or are constant.

7. A method for elucidating reaction dynamics of photoreactive compounds from optical signals affected by an external magnetic field, comprising the steps of calibrating an apparatus as claimed in claim 1;

administering a PDT drug;

irradiating a region of interest and performing measurements.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for analysing said collected light are adapted to generate processed data, including luminescence lifetime calculations, difference and ratiometric processing, correlating between at least two variables.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said processed data is outputted visually as a map or a graph.