US6600947B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of detecting amyloid-containing lesions by autofluorescence
Assignee: Nymox Corp Canada
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Filing: 2001-03-16
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Granted: 2003-07-29
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Expires: 2021-03-16
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method of detecting amyloid-containing deposits in a mammal without administering exogenous chemicals such as fluorophores or chromophores. The method includes subjecting tissue of a mammal, preferably tissue of a mammal suspected of having at least one form of amyloidosis to autofluorescence-initiation, preferably by subjecting the tissue to at least excitation incident radiation from a light source having a wavelength of light within the range of from about 360 to about 370 nm, and more preferably to illumination incident radiation from a light source having wavelengths in the visible spectrum, to produce an emitted light signal beam and a reflected light signal beam. The method also preferably includes detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm. The method can be used to diagnose amyloidosis in living mammals using relatively non-invasive imaging apparatus, and it can be used to monitor the efficacy of treatment, or screen effective treatments for amyloidosis.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul A. Averback
- 👤 Celine Dupuis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/58; G01N33/582; G01N33/68; G01N33/6893; G01N33/6896; G01N2333/00; G01N2333/435; G01N2333/46; G01N2333/47; G01N2333/4701; G01N2333/4709
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of detecting amyloidosis comprising: subjecting tissue of a mammal suspected of having at least one form of amyloidosis to autofluorescence-initiation; and detecting amyloidosis by detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of detecting amyloidosis comprising: subjecting tissue of a mammal suspected of having at least one form of amyloidosis to autofluorescence-initiation; and detecting amyloidosis by detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the autofluorescence-initiation comprises: subjecting the tissue to excitation incident radiation from a light source having a wavelength of light within the range of from about 360 to about 370 nm, and to illumination incident radiation from a light source having wavelengths in the visible spectrum, thereby generating an emitted light signal beam and a reflected light signal beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a living mammal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the living mammal is a human being.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tissue is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, skin, mucosa, olfactory bulb tissue, cranial nerve foramina, temporal bones, optic fundus, and mastoid areas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the brain tissue is cerebral cortex tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the method detects the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 410 nm to about 440 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the method detects the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of about 420 nm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising separating the emitted light signal beam from the reflected light signal beam, wherein separating the emitted light signal beam from the reflected light signal beam comprises: collecting the emitted light signal beam and the reflected light signal beam; and passing the collected light signal beams through a light processing unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the light processing unit is selected from the group consisting of confocal microscopy, a scanning apparatus, a dichroic mirror, a time-resolved fluorescence processing unit, and a fluorescence polarization processing unit.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of detecting amyloidosis comprising: subjecting fluid of a mammal suspected of having at least one form of amyloidosis to autofluorescence-initiation; and detecting amyloidosis by detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of detecting amyloidosis comprising: subjecting fluid of a mammal suspected of having at least one form of amyloidosis to autofluorescence-initiation; and detecting amyloidosis by detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the autofluorescence-initiation comprises: subjecting the fluid to excitation incident radiation from a light source having a wavelength of light within the range of from about 360 to about 370 nm, and to illumination incident radiation from a light source having wavelengths in the visible spectrum, thereby generating an emitted light signal beam and a reflected light signal beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the mammal is a living mammal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the living mammal is a human being.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, sweat, and tears.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the fluid is cerebrospinal fluid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the method detects the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 410 nm to about 440 nm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the method detects the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of about 420 nm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising separating the emitted light signal beam from the reflected light signal beam, wherein separating the emitted light signal beam from the reflected light signal beam comprises: collecting the emitted light signal beam and the reflected light signal beam; and passing the collected light signal beams through a light processing unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the light processing unit is selected from the group consisting of confocal microscopy, a scanning apparatus, a dichroic mirror, a time-resolved fluorescence processing unit, and a fluorescence polarization processing unit.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for detecting amyloidosis in a mammal, comprising: (a) a radiation source capable of subjecting tissue or circulating fluid of a mammal suspected of having at least one form of amyloidosis with: (i) excitation incident radiation having a wavelength of light within the range of from about 360 to about 370 nm; and optionally with (ii) illumination incident radiation having wavelengths in the visible spectrum; (b) a mechanism for collecting an emitted light signal beam from the tissue or circulating fluid, and optionally a reflected light signal beam from the tissue or circulating fluid; (c) a mechanism for processing the collected light signal beams to generate at least an excited image stream; (d) a mechanism that is capable of detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm from the excited image stream.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for detecting amyloidosis in a mammal, comprising: (a) a radiation source capable of subjecting tissue or circulating fluid of a mammal suspected of having at least one form of amyloidosis with: (i) excitation incident radiation having a wavelength of light within the range of from about 360 to about 370 nm; and optionally with (ii) illumination incident radiation having wavelengths in the visible spectrum; (b) a mechanism for collecting an emitted light signal beam from the tissue or circulating fluid, and optionally a reflected light signal beam from the tissue or circulating fluid; (c) a mechanism for processing the collected light signal beams to generate at least an excited image stream; (d) a mechanism that is capable of detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm from the excited image stream.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the mechanism for processing the collected light signal beams to generate at least an excited image stream comprises one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of confocal microscopy, a scanning apparatus, a dichroic mirror, a time-resolved fluorescence processing unit, and a fluorescence polarization processing unit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the mechanism capable of detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm comprises a computing device and a video monitor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
107 words
A method of monitoring treatment of amyloidosis comprising: repeating the method as claimed in claim 1 on a mammal undergoing treatment of amyloidosis over a period of time in which the mammal is undergoing the treatment; collecting and storing the quantity and strength of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm over a period of time in which the mammal is undergoing the treatment; and comparing the quantity and strength of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm over time to determine whether the quantity and/or strength of the emitted light has changed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the mammal is a human being.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the tissue is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, skin, mucosa, olfactory bulb tissue, cranial nerve foramina, temporal bones, optic fundus, and mastoid areas.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the brain tissue is cerebral cortex tissue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the method detects the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 410 nm to about 440 nm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
120 words
A method of screening potential treatments of amyloidosis comprising: subjecting a mammal to a potential treatment for amyloidosis; repeating the method as claimed in claim 1 on the mammal undergoing potential treatment for amyloidosis over a period of time in which the mammal is undergoing the potential treatment; collecting and storing the quantity and strength of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm over a period of time in which the mammal is undergoing the potential treatment; and comparing the quantity and strength of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm over time to determine whether the quantity and/or strength of the emitted light has changed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 29 , wherein subjecting the mammal to the potential treatment comprises administration of potential drugs suspected of being useful in treating amyloidosis.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as claimed in claim 29 , wherein the tissue is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, skin, mucosa, olfactory bulb tissue, cranial nerve foramina, temporal bones, optic fundus, and mastoid areas.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 31 , wherein the brain tissue is cerebral cortex tissue.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 29 , wherein the method detects the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 410 nm to about 440 nm.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of detecting amyloidosis comprising: subjecting tissue of a mammal suspected of having at least one form of amyloidosis to excitation incident radiation from a light source having a wavelength of light within the range of from about 360 to about 370 nm, and to illumination incident radiation from a light source having wavelengths in the visible spectrum, thereby generating an emitted light signal beam and a reflected light signal beam; separating the emitted light signal beam from the reflected light signal beam; and detecting amyloidosis by detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of detecting amyloidosis comprising: subjecting tissue of a mammal suspected of having at least one form of amyloidosis to excitation incident radiation from a light source having a wavelength of light within the range of from about 360 to about 370 nm, and to illumination incident radiation from a light source having wavelengths in the visible spectrum, thereby generating an emitted light signal beam and a reflected light signal beam; separating the emitted light signal beam from the reflected light signal beam; and detecting amyloidosis by detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 34 , wherein the mammal is a human being.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as claimed in claim 34 , wherein the tissue is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, skin, mucosa, olfactory bulb tissue, cranial nerve foramina, temporal bones, optic fundus, and mastoid areas.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 36 , wherein the brain tissue is cerebral cortex tissue.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 34 , wherein the method detects the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 410 nm to about 440 nm.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of detecting amyloidosis comprising: subjecting tissue of a mammal suspected of having at least one form of amyloidosis to autofluorescence-initiation, whereby the tissue is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, skin, mucosa, olfactory bulb tissue, cranial nerve foramina, temporal bones, optic fundus, and mastoid areas; and detecting amyloidosis by detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of detecting amyloidosis comprising: subjecting tissue of a mammal suspected of having at least one form of amyloidosis to autofluorescence-initiation, whereby the tissue is selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, skin, mucosa, olfactory bulb tissue, cranial nerve foramina, temporal bones, optic fundus, and mastoid areas; and detecting amyloidosis by detecting the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 39 , wherein the mammal is a human being.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 39 , wherein the method detects the presence of emitted light having a wavelength of from about 410 nm to about 440 nm.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 39 , wherein the brain tissue is cerebral cortex tissue.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method of treating amyloidosis comprising: administering, to a mammal in need thereof, a component that binds to an autofluorescent amyloid-containing lesion, and that alters and/or destroys the amyloid material present in the amyloid-containing lesion; carrying out the method recited in claim 1 ; and detecting a reduction in the amount of material that emits light having a wavelength of from about 400 to about 460 nm.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of detecting autofluorescence comprising: subjecting tissue to autofluorescence-initiation, the tissue being selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, skin, mucosa, olfactory bulb tissue, cranial nerve foramina, temporal bones, optic fundus, and mastoid areas; and detecting amyloidosis by detecting the presence of autofluorescence light.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of detecting autofluorescence comprising: subjecting tissue to autofluorescence-initiation, the tissue being selected from the group consisting of brain tissue, skin, mucosa, olfactory bulb tissue, cranial nerve foramina, temporal bones, optic fundus, and mastoid areas; and detecting amyloidosis by detecting the presence of autofluorescence light.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 44 , wherein the tissue is olfactory bulb tissue.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as claimed in claim 44 , wherein detecting the presence of autofluorescence light comprises detecting the presence of light having a wavelength within the range of from about 400 nm to about 460 nm.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 46 , wherein the light has a wavelength within the range of from about 410 nm to about 440 nm.
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