Patent US5987346A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5987346A
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US
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Device and method for classification of tissue
Assignee: JB IP Acquisition LLC
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Filing: 1996-12-23
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Granted: 1999-11-16
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Expires: 2016-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A diagnostic monitor for classifying biological tissue in which a light emitter (102) is optically coupled to the tissue to be diagnosed (145) and a light detector (174) is optically coupled to the tissue to detect a portion of the light which passes through the tissue. The tissue classifier (184) receives a signal from the detector and provides an optical classification output signal (195), wherein the tissue is classified by type or state, either for detection, localization, or imaging. A method of classifying tissue is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Benaron
- 👤 Boris Rubinsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/145; A61B5/1455; A61B5/1459; A61B18/00; A61B5/0059; A61B5/14551; A61B5/14553; A61B5/40; A61B5/4076; A61B5/41; A61B5/414; A61B5/415; A61B5/418; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6848; A61B5/72; A61B5/7235; A61B5/7264; G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/4795; A61B17/00; A61B17/068; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00115; A61B2017/00119; A61B2017/00123; A61B17/00491; A61B2017/00504; A61B2017/00508; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557; A61B2560/00; A61B2560/02; A61B2560/0266; A61B2560/0276; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/02; A61B2562/0233; A61B2562/0242; A61B2562/08; A61B5/0073; A61B5/0075; A61B5/0082; A61B5/0084; A61B6/00; A61B6/50; A61B6/506; G16; G16H; G16H50/00; G16H50/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A diagnostic monitor for classifying an unknown biological tissue into one or more tissue types, comprising: (a) a light emitter for illuminating the unknown tissue with at least one wavelength of illuminating radiation, said emitter optically coupled to the tissue; (b) a light detector for detecting an intensity of a portion of said illumination after having passed though a region of the tissue, and for providing a detected signal in response to said detected portion, said detector optically coupled to the tissue; and, (c) tissue classifier means for classifying the unknown tissue based upon said detected signal, wherein said classifier is operable to perform a computational comparison of said detected signal to a set of reference criteria in order to classify the unknown tissue, and for generating an output signal in response to said classification.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A diagnostic monitor for classifying an unknown biological tissue into one or more tissue types, comprising: (a) a light emitter for illuminating the unknown tissue with at least one wavelength of illuminating radiation, said emitter optically coupled to the tissue; (b) a light detector for detecting an intensity of a portion of said illumination after having passed though a region of the tissue, and for providing a detected signal in response to said detected portion, said detector optically coupled to the tissue; and, (c) tissue classifier means for classifying the unknown tissue based upon said detected signal, wherein said classifier is operable to perform a computational comparison of said detected signal to a set of reference criteria in order to classify the unknown tissue, and for generating an output signal in response to said classification.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The monitor of claim 1, wherein the illuminating radiation has at least one wavelength between 200 nm and 100 μm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The monitor of claim 1, wherein the emitter, the detector, or both the emitter and the detector, are arranged to be in physical contact with the tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The monitor of claim 1, wherein the emitter, the detector, or both the emitter and the detector, are arranged to penetrate the tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The monitor of claim 1, wherein the emitter is further comprised of multiple light emitting elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The monitor of claim 1, wherein the detector is further comprised of multiple light detecting elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The monitor of claim 1, wherein the classification means comprises means to classify the tissue by normal tissue type.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The monitor of claim 7, wherein said normal tissue type is selected from the group of types consisting of nerves, blood vessels, fat-deposits, and other normal tissue types.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The monitor of claim 1, wherein the classification means comprises means to characterize the tissue by abnormal tissue type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The monitor of claim 9, wherein said abnormal tissue type is selected from the group of types consisting of hemorrhages, scars, cysts, tumors, and other pathologic tissue types.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The monitor of claim 1, wherein the classification means comprises means to localize the tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The monitor of claim 11, wherein said localization comprises means to produce a measurement of distance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitor of claim 11, wherein said localization comprises means to produce an image of the tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The monitor of claim 1, wherein the classification means further comprises means for resolving multiple component tissue types contained within said tissue sample.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The monitor of claim 1, further including medical probe means for maintaining one or more of the emitter and detector elements in proximity to the sample tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The monitor of claim 15, where the medical probe comprises a surgical tool.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
101 words
An optical biopsy method for characterizing an unknown tissue sample, comprising the steps of: (a) illuminating the tissue sample with light of a number of discrete wavelengths; (b) detecting a measured intensity of a portion of said illumination after having propagated through a part of the tissue sample at said number of discrete wavelengths; (c) classifying the tissue sample based on a computational comparison of the measured intensity at one or more of said wavelengths to a set of reference criteria in order to classify the unknown tissue; and, (d) producing an optical biopsy output signal in response to the classification.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
101 words
An optical biopsy method for characterizing an unknown tissue sample, comprising the steps of: (a) illuminating the tissue sample with light of a number of discrete wavelengths; (b) detecting a measured intensity of a portion of said illumination after having propagated through a part of the tissue sample at said number of discrete wavelengths; (c) classifying the tissue sample based on a computational comparison of the measured intensity at one or more of said wavelengths to a set of reference criteria in order to classify the unknown tissue; and, (d) producing an optical biopsy output signal in response to the classification.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classification comprises the step of characterizing the tissue by normal tissue type selected from the group consisting of artery, vein, nerve, lymph, liver, muscle, brain, gray matter, white matter, colon, blood, or other normal tissue type.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classification comprises the step of characterizing the tissue by abnormal tissue type selected from the group consisting of hemorrhage, stroke, or other abnormal tissue type.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classification comprises the step of characterizing the tissue by component type selected from the group consisting of water, fat, hemoglobin, or other tissue component type.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classification comprises the step of localization of the tissue.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classification comprises the step of generating an image of the tissue.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classification further includes the step of resolving multiple component tissue types contained within the tissue sample.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classification further includes the step of comparing the detected signal to a reference signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classification further includes the step of comparing the detected signal to a set of reference database signals, said database composed of a library of characteristic signals from identified tissues.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 17, further including the step of inducing a change in the tissue state, and wherein the step of classification comprises a classification of a change in the tissue.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of inducing a change in the tissue comprises functional activation of the brain.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of computational comparison includes the step evaluating the measured intensity relative to a predetermined threshold value.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of computational comparison includes the step evaluating a ratio of the measured intensity at two discrete wavelengths relative to a predetermined threshold value.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of computational comparison includes the step of evaluating changes in the measured intensity over space.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of computational comparison includes the step of evaluating changes in the measured intensity over time.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of computational comparison includes the step of evaluating, relative to a set of threshold values, a composition of the tissue, said composition selected from at least one of the group of measures consisting of blood content, blood oxygenation, air, fat, or other tissue components.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of computational comparison includes the step of a evaluating a neural network, and wherein said reference criteria include threshold and operating values that characterize said network.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of computational comparison includes the step of principal component analysis.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said step of computational comparison includes the step of matrix analysis.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classifying includes the step of background subtraction.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classifying includes the step of measuring a reference illumination signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classifying includes the step of measuring a standard calibration reference.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classifying includes the step of correcting for instrument response.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the step of classifying includes the steps of correcting the sample signal for light source, probe, and background characteristics to produce a final sample spectra.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of monitoring a regional change in state within a living tissue, said method comprising the steps of: (a) illuminating said tissue with electromagnetic radiation in temporal proximity to a change in tissue state; (b) detecting portions of said illuminating radiation have propagated through said tissue; and, (c) characterizing, based upon said detected portions of illuminating radiation, at least one changing region of said tissue.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of monitoring a regional change in state within a living tissue, said method comprising the steps of: (a) illuminating said tissue with electromagnetic radiation in temporal proximity to a change in tissue state; (b) detecting portions of said illuminating radiation have propagated through said tissue; and, (c) characterizing, based upon said detected portions of illuminating radiation, at least one changing region of said tissue.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 41, wherein said change in tissue state is a result of freezing the tissue.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 41, wherein said change in tissue state is a result of heating the tissue.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 41, wherein said change in tissue state is a result of thermally welding the tissue.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 41, wherein said change in tissue state is a result of denaturing the tissue.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 41, wherein said change in tissue state is a result of a function change in the tissue.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said functional change is a measure of brain functional activity.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 47, wherein said measure of brain activity is selected from the group consisting of hearing, thinking, sensory stimulation, muscle activation, sleep, or depth of anesthesia.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said functional change is a measure of brain dysfunction.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 49, wherein said measure of brain dysfunction is selected from the group consisting of stroke, seizure, and other types of brain dysfunction.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 46, further comprising means for forming an image of said change in state.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for detecting and classifying an unknown biological tissue in a medium that scatters a radiative wave, comprising: (a) a radiative wave source arranged to emit radiation into the tissue; (b) a radiative wave detector for detecting a portion of said radiation and providing a detected signal in response to said detected portion, said detected portion having passed through a region of said tissue; and, (c) a computer for receiving said detected signal, said computer configured to classify the unknown tissue based upon a classification function of said detected signal, wherein said computer is operable to perform a comparison of said detected signal to a set of reference criteria in order to classify the unknown tissue, and for generating an output signal in response to said classification.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for detecting and classifying an unknown biological tissue in a medium that scatters a radiative wave, comprising: (a) a radiative wave source arranged to emit radiation into the tissue; (b) a radiative wave detector for detecting a portion of said radiation and providing a detected signal in response to said detected portion, said detected portion having passed through a region of said tissue; and, (c) a computer for receiving said detected signal, said computer configured to classify the unknown tissue based upon a classification function of said detected signal, wherein said computer is operable to perform a comparison of said detected signal to a set of reference criteria in order to classify the unknown tissue, and for generating an output signal in response to said classification.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
38 words
The spectrophotometer of claim 52, wherein said classification is a characterization of tissue by normal tissue type, said tissue type selected from the group consisting of nerves, blood vessels, fat deposits, and other normal macroscopic inhomogeneities in tissue.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said detector is comprised of a sensor configured to detect a radiative wave selected from the group of consisting of electromagnetic, electrical, pressure, sound, or other wave known to travel through biological material.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said detector is arranged to monitor both optical radiation and tissue pressure.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said detector is arranged to detect electrical waves as a function of tissue impedance.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said detector is comprised of more than one sensor, each configured to detect a radiative wave selected from the group of consisting of electromagnetic, electrical, pressure, sound, or other wave known to travel through biological material.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for noninvasively detecting at least one regional inhomogeneity in a turbid medium, comprising: (a) illuminating said medium with electromagnetic radiation of at least one wavelength; (b) detecting at least a portion of said illuminating radiation after said radiation has propagated through said medium over multiple non-parallel paths, and for providing output signals, said output signals being comprised of multiple regional component signals, said component signals detected after propagating through different regions of the medium; (c) resolving said multiple regional component signals; and, (d) determining at least one quantifiable parameter influenced by said at least one regional inhomogeneity in the medium based upon at least one of said regional component signals.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for noninvasively detecting at least one regional inhomogeneity in a turbid medium, comprising: (a) illuminating said medium with electromagnetic radiation of at least one wavelength; (b) detecting at least a portion of said illuminating radiation after said radiation has propagated through said medium over multiple non-parallel paths, and for providing output signals, said output signals being comprised of multiple regional component signals, said component signals detected after propagating through different regions of the medium; (c) resolving said multiple regional component signals; and, (d) determining at least one quantifiable parameter influenced by said at least one regional inhomogeneity in the medium based upon at least one of said regional component signals.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
140 words
A medical monitor for making measurement of tissue, comprising: (a) a light emitter for illuminating the tissue with at least one wavelength of illuminating radiation, said emitter optically coupled to the tissue; (b) a light detector for detecting an intensity of a portion of said illuminating radiation after having passed though the tissue, and for providing a detected signal in response to said detected portion, said detector optically coupled to the tissue; and, (c) tissue classifier means for receiving said detected signal, for determining the presence or absence of at least one target tissue based upon said comparison, and for generating an output signal in response to said determination, wherein said classifier is operable to perform a computational comparison of said detected signal to a database of stored reference spectra and diagnostic criteria in order to classify the unknown tissue.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
140 words
A medical monitor for making measurement of tissue, comprising: (a) a light emitter for illuminating the tissue with at least one wavelength of illuminating radiation, said emitter optically coupled to the tissue; (b) a light detector for detecting an intensity of a portion of said illuminating radiation after having passed though the tissue, and for providing a detected signal in response to said detected portion, said detector optically coupled to the tissue; and, (c) tissue classifier means for receiving said detected signal, for determining the presence or absence of at least one target tissue based upon said comparison, and for generating an output signal in response to said determination, wherein said classifier is operable to perform a computational comparison of said detected signal to a database of stored reference spectra and diagnostic criteria in order to classify the unknown tissue.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitor of claim 59, wherein said tissue is the uterus, and said target tissue is adenomyosis.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitor of claim 59, wherein said tissue is brain, and said target tissue is cerebral stroke.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
17 words
The monitor of claim 59, wherein said tissue is the spine, and said target tissue is nerve.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
18 words
The monitor of claim 59, wherein said tissue is the prostate, and said target tissue is prostate cancer.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
The monitor of claim 59, wherein said determination is a probabilistic calculation of the likelihood of presence or absence of the target tissue.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
20 words
The monitor of claim 59, wherein said tissue is a portion of the human body, said target tissue is cancer.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
27 words
The monitor of claim 59 wherein said reference criteria include one or more criteria selected from the group consisting of hemoglobin content, blood oxygenation, and optical scattering.
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-15 | 2003-05-17 | 2003-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-15 | 2007-05-17 | 2007-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-15 | 2011-05-17 | 2011-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |