Examination of subjects using photon migration with high directionality techniques

Claim 1

A method of spectroscopic examination of a subject positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, said method comprising: (a) providing multiple input ports placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, (b) introducing into the subject, simultaneously at said input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of at least one wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said radiation at each of said input ports having a known time-varying pattern of photon density, (c) the time relationship of said patterns being selected to form resulting introduced radiation that possesses substantial gradient in photon density as a result of the interaction of the simultaneously introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said resulting radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, (d) detecting over time, at a detection port placed at a selected location on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, (e) processing signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and (f) examining said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 2

A method of spectroscopic examination of a subject positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, said method comprising: (a) providing multiple input ports placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, (b) introducing into the subject, simultaneously at said input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of at least one wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said radiation at each of said input ports having a known time-varying pattern of photon density, (c) the time relationship of said patterns being selected to form resulting introduced radiation that possesses substantial gradient in photon density as a result of the interaction of the simultaneously introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said resulting radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, (d) detecting over time, at a detection port placed at a selected location on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, (e) processing signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and (f) examining said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 4

A method of spectroscopic examination of a subject positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, said method comprising: (a) providing multiple input ports placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, (b) introducing into the subject, simultaneously at said input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of at least one wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said radiation at each of said input ports having a known time-varying pattern of photon density, (c) the time relationship of said patterns being selected to form resulting introduced radiation that possesses substantial gradient in photon density as a result of the interaction of the simultaneously introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said resulting radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, (d) detecting over time, at a detection port placed at a selected location on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, (e) processing signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, (f) moving said detection port to a second location on the subject, (g) detecting over time, at said detection port placed at said second location on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, (h) processing signals of said radiation, detected at second location, in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and (i) examining said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 5

A method of spectroscopic examination of a subject positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, said method comprising: (a) providing multiple input ports placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, (b) introducing into the subject, simultaneously at said input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of at least one wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said radiation at each of said input ports having a known time-varying pattern of photon density, (c) the time relationship of said patterns being selected to form resulting introduced radiation that possesses substantial gradient in photon density as a result of the interaction of the simultaneously introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said resulting radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, (d) detecting over time, at a detection port placed at a selected location on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, (e) processing signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, (f) moving said detection port to a second location on the subject, (g) detecting over time, at said detection port placed at said second location on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, (h) processing signals of said radiation, detected at second location, in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and (i) examining said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 7

A method of spectroscopic examination of a subject positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, said method comprising: (a) providing multiple input ports placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, (b) introducing into the subject, at said input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said radiation at each of said input ports having a known time-varying pattern of photon density, (c) the time relationship of said patterns being selected to form resulting radiation that possesses substantial gradient in photon density as a result of the interaction of the introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said resulting radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, (d) providing multiple detection ports placed on selected locations on the subject, to probe a selected quality of the subject, (e) detecting over time, at said detection ports, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, (f) processing signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and (f) examining said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 8

A method of spectroscopic examination of a subject positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, said method comprising: (a) providing multiple input ports placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, (b) introducing into the subject, at said input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said radiation at each of said input ports having a known time-varying pattern of photon density, (c) the time relationship of said patterns being selected to form resulting radiation that possesses substantial gradient in photon density as a result of the interaction of the introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said resulting radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, (d) providing multiple detection ports placed on selected locations on the subject, to probe a selected quality of the subject, (e) detecting over time, at said detection ports, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, (f) processing signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and (f) examining said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 18

A method of spectroscopic examination of a subject positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, said method comprising: (a) providing an input port placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, (b) introducing into the subject, at said input port electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said radiation having a known time-varying pattern of photon density, (c) providing multiple detection ports placed on selected locations on the subject, to probe a selected quality of the subject, (d) detecting over time radiation that has migrated in the subject, the time relationship of said detection over time, at said detection ports, being selected to observe gradient in photon density formed as a result of the interaction of the introduced radiation with the subject, (e) processing signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and (f) examining said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 19

A method of spectroscopic examination of a subject positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, said method comprising: (a) providing an input port placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, (b) introducing into the subject, at said input port electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said radiation having a known time-varying pattern of photon density, (c) providing multiple detection ports placed on selected locations on the subject, to probe a selected quality of the subject, (d) detecting over time radiation that has migrated in the subject, the time relationship of said detection over time, at said detection ports, being selected to observe gradient in photon density formed as a result of the interaction of the introduced radiation with the subject, (e) processing signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and (f) examining said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 22

A method of spectroscopic examination of a subject positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, said method comprising: (a) providing an input port placed at selected locations on the subject to locate a fluorescent constituent in the subject, (b) introducing into the subject, at said input port electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed by said constituent while migrating in the subject, said radiation having a known time-varying pattern of photon density, (c) providing multiplicity of detection ports placed on selected locations on the subject to locate a fluorescent constituent of the subject, (d) detecting over time fluorescent radiation that has migrated in the subject, (e) processing signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of location of said fluorescent constituent of the subject, and (f) determining location of said fluorescent constituent of the subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 23

A method of spectroscopic examination of a subject positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, said method comprising: (a) providing an input port placed at selected locations on the subject to locate a fluorescent constituent in the subject, (b) introducing into the subject, at said input port electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed by said constituent while migrating in the subject, said radiation having a known time-varying pattern of photon density, (c) providing multiplicity of detection ports placed on selected locations on the subject to locate a fluorescent constituent of the subject, (d) detecting over time fluorescent radiation that has migrated in the subject, (e) processing signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of location of said fluorescent constituent of the subject, and (f) determining location of said fluorescent constituent of the subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 26

A system for spectroscopic examination of a subject, positioned between input and detection ports of the spectroscopic system applied to the subject, comprising: at least one light source adapted to introduce simultaneously, at multiple input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density and of at least one wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said input ports being placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, radiation pattern control means adapted to achieve selected time relationship of said simultaneously introduced patterns to form resulting introduced radiation that possesses substantial gradient in photon density as a result of the interaction of the introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, a detector adapted to detect over time, at a detection port placed at a selected location on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, processing means adapted to process signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and evaluation means adapted to examine the subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 27

A system for spectroscopic examination of a subject, positioned between input and detection ports of the spectroscopic system applied to the subject, comprising: at least one light source adapted to introduce simultaneously, at multiple input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density and of at least one wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said input ports being placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, radiation pattern control means adapted to achieve selected time relationship of said simultaneously introduced patterns to form resulting introduced radiation that possesses substantial gradient in photon density as a result of the interaction of the introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, a detector adapted to detect over time, at a detection port placed at a selected location on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, processing means adapted to process signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and evaluation means adapted to examine the subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 29

A system for spectroscopic examination of a subject, positioned between input and detection ports of the spectroscopic system applied to the subject, comprising: at least one light source adapted to introduce, simultaneously at multiple input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density and of at least one wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said input ports being placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, radiation pattern control means adapted to achieve selected time relationship of said simultaneously introduced patterns to form resulting introduced radiation that possesses substantial gradient in photon density as a result of the interaction of the introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, a detector adapted to detect over time, at a detection port placed at a selected location on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, displacement means adapted to move said detection port to various locations on a predetermined geometric pattern, said various locations being used to detect over time radiation that has migrated in the subject, processing means adapted to process signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and evaluation means adapted to examine the subject by correlating said processed data with said locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 30

A system for spectroscopic examination of a subject, positioned between input and detection ports of the spectroscopic system applied to the subject, comprising: at least one light source adapted to introduce, simultaneously at multiple input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density and of at least one wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said input ports being placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, radiation pattern control means adapted to achieve selected time relationship of said simultaneously introduced patterns to form resulting introduced radiation that possesses substantial gradient in photon density as a result of the interaction of the introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, a detector adapted to detect over time, at a detection port placed at a selected location on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, displacement means adapted to move said detection port to various locations on a predetermined geometric pattern, said various locations being used to detect over time radiation that has migrated in the subject, processing means adapted to process signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and evaluation means adapted to examine the subject by correlating said processed data with said locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 31

A system for spectroscopic examination of a subject, positioned between input and detection ports of spectroscopic system applied to the subject, comprising: at least one light source adapted to introduce, at multiple input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density and of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said input ports being placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, radiation pattern control means adapted to achieve selected time relationships of said introduced patterns to form resulting radiation that possesses substantial gradients in photon density as a result of the interaction of the introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, at least one detector adapted to detect over time, at multiple detection ports placed at a selected locations on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, processing means adapted to process signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and evaluation means adapted to examine the subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 32

A system for spectroscopic examination of a subject, positioned between input and detection ports of spectroscopic system applied to the subject, comprising: at least one light source adapted to introduce, at multiple input ports, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density and of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said input ports being placed at selected locations on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, radiation pattern control means adapted to achieve selected time relationships of said introduced patterns to form resulting radiation that possesses substantial gradients in photon density as a result of the interaction of the introduced patterns emanating from said input ports, said radiation being scattered and absorbed in migration paths in the subject, at least one detector adapted to detect over time, at multiple detection ports placed at a selected locations on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, processing means adapted to process signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and evaluation means adapted to examine the subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 42

A system for spectroscopic examination of the subject, positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, comprising: a light source adapted to introduce, at an input port, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density and of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said input port being placed at a selected location on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, detectors adapted to detect over time, at multiple detection ports placed at selected locations on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, the time relationship of said detection over time, at said detection ports, being selected to observe gradient in photon density formed as a result of the interaction of the introduced radiation with the subject, processing means adapted to process signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and evaluation means adapted to examine said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 43

A system for spectroscopic examination of the subject, positioned between input and detection ports of a spectroscopic system applied to the subject, comprising: a light source adapted to introduce, at an input port, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density and of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed while migrating in the subject, said input port being placed at a selected location on the subject to probe a selected quality of the subject, detectors adapted to detect over time, at multiple detection ports placed at selected locations on the subject, said radiation that has migrated in the subject, the time relationship of said detection over time, at said detection ports, being selected to observe gradient in photon density formed as a result of the interaction of the introduced radiation with the subject, processing means adapted to process signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of the influence of said subject upon said gradient of photon density, and evaluation means adapted to examine said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 47

A system for spectroscopic examination of a subject, positioned between input and detection ports of the spectroscopic system applied to the subject, comprising: a light source adapted to introduce, at an input port, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density and of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed by a fluorescent constituent while migrating in the subject, said input port being placed as a selected location on the subject to locate said fluorescent constituent of the subject, detectors adapted to detect over time, at multiple detection ports placed at selected locations on the subject, fluorescent radiation that has migrated in the subject, processing means adapted to process signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of location of said fluorescent constituent of the subject, and evaluation means adapted to examine said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.

Claim 48

A system for spectroscopic examination of a subject, positioned between input and detection ports of the spectroscopic system applied to the subject, comprising: a light source adapted to introduce, at an input port, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density and of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed by a fluorescent constituent while migrating in the subject, said input port being placed as a selected location on the subject to locate said fluorescent constituent of the subject, detectors adapted to detect over time, at multiple detection ports placed at selected locations on the subject, fluorescent radiation that has migrated in the subject, processing means adapted to process signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of location of said fluorescent constituent of the subject, and evaluation means adapted to examine said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.