NEAR-INFRARED IMAGING FOR DIAGNOSIS OF SINUSITIS

• US 20140221843A1
• Filed: 02/03/2014
• Published: 08/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Wong, Brian, You, Joon, Cerussi, Albert
• Application Number:
  US14/171,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20140221843A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/473
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation

Abstract

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a device and method for near-infrared imaging of a patients sinus cavities. The imaging can be used for diagnosis and monitoring of different conditions such as maxillary sinusitis. The system and method can use LEDs to provide near-infrared light through the tissue of a patient, where the light can be picked up by a camera. An iso-intensity contour line map can then be created for quantitative analysis.

Claims

1. A device for imaging a sinus cavity of a patient, the device comprising:

a flexible illuminator configured to conform to the patient'"'"'s upper palate;

an optical output located on a distal end of the flexible illuminator, wherein the optical output is configured to direct radiation towards the patient'"'"'s sinus cavity;

an optical detector configured to receive the radiation from the optical output that passes through the patient'"'"'s sinuses and out the patient'"'"'s tissue, and provide a output signal; and

an analyzer configured to create an iso-intensity line map from the output signal.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the radiation is near-infrared light.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the near-infrared light has a wavelength of about 850 nm.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical detector is a camera.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an optical diffusion layer located between the optical output and the patient'"'"'s upper palate.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the optical diffusion layer comprises a light scattering foam.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the optical output is a plurality of LEDs.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a bifurcated array.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the analyzer can determine absolute light intensity levels along peak regions of iso-intensity lines, average intensity between a patients left and right sinuses, and asymmetry between left and right sinuses.

10. A method of imaging a sinus cavity of a patient, the method comprising:

placing a flexible illuminator into the patient'"'"'s mouth, wherein the flexible illuminator is configured to conform to the patient'"'"'s upper palate;

irradiating the patient'"'"'s sinuses using optical sources located on a distal end of the flexible illuminator;

receiving the radiation that passes through the patient'"'"'s sinuses and out the patient'"'"'s tissue; and

analyzing the received radiation by determining an iso-intensity line map from the received radiation.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the flexible illuminator further comprises an optical diffusion layer located between the optical sources and the patient'"'"'s upper palate.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the optical diffusion layer comprises a light scattering foam.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the optical sources are a plurality of LEDs.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged in a bifurcated array.

15. An at home self-diagnostic system for imaging a patient'"'"'s sinus cavity, the system comprising:

a stand configured to receive the patient'"'"'s face so that the patient'"'"'s face remains in a generally fixed position;

a flexible illuminator configure to conform to the patient'"'"'s upper palate;

an optical output located on a distal end of the flexible illuminator, wherein the optical output is configured to direct radiation towards the patient'"'"'s sinus cavity;

an activator configured to activate the optical output;

an optical detector located at a position to receive the radiation from the optical output that passes through the patient'"'"'s sinuses and out the patient'"'"'s tissue, and provide a output signal; and

an analyzer configured to create an iso-intensity map from the output signal.

16. The self-diagnostic system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a display to display the iso-intensity map.

17. The self-diagnostic system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises an optical diffusion layer located between the optical output and the patient'"'"'s upper palate.

18. The self-diagnostic system of claim 17, wherein the optical diffusion layer comprises a light scattering foam.

19. The self-diagnostic system of claim 15, wherein the optical output is a plurality of LEDs.

20. The self-diagnostic system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of LEDS are arranged in a bifurcated array.