Patent US6021344A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6021344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluorescence scope system for dermatologic diagnosis
Assignee: COYOTE VENTURES Corp dba AUGUST RESEARCH GROUP
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Filing: 1997-12-03
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Granted: 2000-02-01
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Expires: 2017-12-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the diagnosis of a skin disease site by visual fluorescence inspection comprising an excitation light source for illuminating the disease site, a light guide for transmitting the excitation light directly to the disease site to generate fluorescence light and viewing goggles for processing the excitation light reflected and the fluorescence light emitted from the disease site to provide a fluorescence image of the disease site to a user. The fluorescence image is used to aid the medical assessment of skin conditions and the diagnosis of cutaneous diseases by supplementing the visual assessment of skin lesions made by the naked eye. The apparatus can be used in several modes of operation that permit the viewing of full color fluorescence images and enhanced two color images. The apparatus can also use image intensifying equipment to amplify fluorescence light so that even very weak fluorescing objects can be seen. A method for acquiring and viewing the fluorescence images is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Harvey Lui
- 👤 Haishan Zeng
- 👤 Calum E. MacAulay
- 👤 Branko Palcic
- 👤 David I. McLean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/44; A61B5/441; A61B5/444; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0071; A61B90/00; A61B90/50; A61B2090/502
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A binocular viewing apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be worn on the head of a user, the frame comprising first and second light filters fixedly mounted on either side of the frame, the first filter positioned to transmit a first independent fluorescence image to a first eye of the user and the second filter positioned to transmit a second independent fluorescence image to a second eye of the user, wherein each filter blocks at least light having a wavelength of about 442 nm or less and each filter is a band pass filter that passes the fluorescence light in at least two different selected wavelength bands.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A binocular viewing apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be worn on the head of a user, the frame comprising first and second light filters fixedly mounted on either side of the frame, the first filter positioned to transmit a first independent fluorescence image to a first eye of the user and the second filter positioned to transmit a second independent fluorescence image to a second eye of the user, wherein each filter blocks at least light having a wavelength of about 442 nm or less and each filter is a band pass filter that passes the fluorescence light in at least two different selected wavelength bands.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the frame is an eyeglass frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the frame is a goggle frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the first and second light filters comprise two identical light filters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the at least one filter blocks light having a wavelength of less than about 475 nm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the at least two selected wavelength bands are green light and red light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the green light is from about 480 nm to about 560 nm and the red light is from about 620 nm to about 700 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the apparatus further comprises at least one image intensifier that intensifies the light passing through at least one of the first and second light filters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the apparatus further comprises at least two image intensifiers, one for each of the first and second light filters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as claimed 9 in which the first and second light filters comprise first and second band pass filters, the first band pass filter passing fluorescence light at a first wavelength band to the first image intensifier and the second band pass filter passing fluorescence light at a second wavelength band to the second image intensifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 further comprising an adjuster that adjusts the color of the fluorescence image transmitted to each eye.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which the adjuster comprises color filters located between the image intensifiers and the eyes of the user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the apparatus further comprises an excitation light source attached to the frame, the excitation light source able to induce fluorescence in human skin in front of the first and second light filters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the apparatus further comprises a light guide that transmits the excitation light from the excitation light source to the skin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which the light guide comprises an optic fiber having a microlens on an end of the fiber located near the skin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which the light guide comprises an optic fiber bundle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which the light guide comprises a liquid light guide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the excitation light source comprises a laser light source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the excitation light source comprises an arc lamp selected from the group consisting of a Mercury arc lamp, a Xenon arc lamp, and a metal halide lamp.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the excitation light source is selected from the group consisting of a LED panel and a fluorescent UV lamp for direct illumination of the skin.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the apparatus further comprises at least one image intensifier that intensifies the light passing through at least one of the first and second light filters.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which the excitation light source comprises a pulsed light source and the at least one image intensifier acquires an image only when the pulsed light source is activated.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for diagnosis of skin disease sites by visual fluorescence inspection comprising: an excitation light source for providing excitation light for illuminating the disease site; means for transmitting the excitation light directly to the disease site to generate fluorescence light; and means for processing the excitation light reflected and the fluorescence light emitted from the disease site to provide a fluorescence image of the disease site to a user, wherein the means for processing comprises first and second band pass filters, each filter blocking the excitation light and passing the fluorescence light in at least two different preselected wavelength bands, wherein each filter is arranged in either side of binocular frames to transmit an independent fluorescence image to each eye of the user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for diagnosis of skin disease sites by visual fluorescence inspection comprising: an excitation light source for providing excitation light for illuminating the disease site; means for transmitting the excitation light directly to the disease site to generate fluorescence light; and means for processing the excitation light reflected and the fluorescence light emitted from the disease site to provide a fluorescence image of the disease site to a user, wherein the means for processing comprises first and second band pass filters, each filter blocking the excitation light and passing the fluorescence light in at least two different preselected wavelength bands, wherein each filter is arranged in either side of binocular frames to transmit an independent fluorescence image to each eye of the user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which the binocular frames are eyeglass frames.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which the binocular frames are goggle frames.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which the two or more light filters comprise two identical light filters.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which the means for processing the light includes image intensifying means associated with the two or more light filters.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 further comprising an adjuster that adjusts the color of the fluorescence image transmitted to each eye.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 28 in which the adjuster comprises color filters located between the image intensifiers and the eyes of the user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 23 in which the excitation light source comprises a pulsed light source and the image intensifying means acquires an image only when the pulsed light source is activated.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 23 in which the apparatus does not comprise an image intensifier.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of evaluating a potential human skin disease site by visual inspection comprising the steps of: illuminating the disease site with a excitation light under conditions suitable and for a time sufficient to generate fluorescence light in the skin disease site; passing the fluorescence light through at least one band pass light filter that passes the fluorescence light in at least two different selected wavelength bands, the at least one filter mounted in a binocular frame that is adapted to be disposed on the head of a user, the at least one filter blocking at least light having a wavelength of about 442 nm or less, thereby blocking the excitation light reflected from the disease site and transmitting the fluorescence light emitted from the disease site to at least one eye of the user to provide a transmitted fluorescence image; and viewing and evaluating the transmitted fluorescence image.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of evaluating a potential human skin disease site by visual inspection comprising the steps of: illuminating the disease site with a excitation light under conditions suitable and for a time sufficient to generate fluorescence light in the skin disease site; passing the fluorescence light through at least one band pass light filter that passes the fluorescence light in at least two different selected wavelength bands, the at least one filter mounted in a binocular frame that is adapted to be disposed on the head of a user, the at least one filter blocking at least light having a wavelength of about 442 nm or less, thereby blocking the excitation light reflected from the disease site and transmitting the fluorescence light emitted from the disease site to at least one eye of the user to provide a transmitted fluorescence image; and viewing and evaluating the transmitted fluorescence image.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 32 in which the at least two different wavelength bands are green light and red light.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 33 in which the green light is from about 480 nm to about 560 nm and the red light is from about 620 nm to about 700 nm.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 32 in which the method does not comprise passing the image that is transmitted to the eyes of the user through an image intensifier.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-31 | 2003-08-02 | 2004-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-31 | 2007-08-02 | 2008-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-31 | 2011-08-02 | 2012-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |