Abstract: A diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging (DOSI) apparatus for tissue spectroscopy measures absorption and scattering properties of tissue using multi-frequency frequency domain photon migration in a modular or networkable platform to provide full broadband information content. The apparatus includes: a broadband signal generator; a driver having an input coupled to the signal generator; a light source coupled to the driver, the light source for exposing the tissue to broadband modulated light at a plurality of wavelengths; an optical detector for receiving returned light from the tissue; an amplitude detection circuit communicated to the optical detector; a phase detection circuit communicated to the optical detector; and a plurality of filters and amplifiers, wherein the optical detector, amplitude detection circuit and phase detection circuit are interconnected with each other by corresponding ones of the plurality of filters and amplifiers to isolate signals and increase signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging (DOSI) apparatus for tissue spectroscopy measures absorption and scattering properties of tissue using multi-frequency frequency domain photon migration in a modular or networkable platform to provide full broadband information content. The apparatus includes: a broadband signal generator; a driver having an input coupled to the signal generator; a light source coupled to the driver, the light source for exposing the tissue to broadband modulated light at a plurality of wavelengths; an optical detector for receiving returned light from the tissue; an amplitude detection circuit communicated to the optical detector; a phase detection circuit communicated to the optical detector; and a plurality of filters and amplifiers, wherein the optical detector, amplitude detection circuit and phase detection circuit are interconnected with each other by corresponding ones of the plurality of filters and amplifiers to isolate signals and increase signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A fiber-delivered probe suitable for CARS imaging of thick tissues is practical. The disclosed design is based on two advances. First, a major problem in CARS probe design is the presence of a very strong anti-Stokes component in silica delivery fibers generated through a FWM process. Without proper spectral filtering, this component affects the CARS image from the tissue sample. The illustrated embodiments of the invention efficiently suppress this spurious anti-Stokes component through the use of a separate fiber for excitation delivery and for signal detection, which allows the incorporation of dichroic optics for anti-Stokes rejection. Second, the detection of backscattered CARS radiation from the sample is optimized by using a large core multi mode fiber in the detection channel. This scheme produces high quality CARS images free of detector aperture effects. Miniaturization of this fiber-delivered probe results in a practical handheld probe for clinical CARS imaging.

Abstract: A diffuse optical spectroscopy system comprises a laser breast scanner, a handheld probe connected to the laser breast scanner for scanning a breast, and a tracking device coupled to the handheld probe, wherein the tracking device determines locations of the handheld probe relative to the breast. The tracking device comprises a magnetic tracking device, an optical tracking device or a laser tracking device.

Abstract: A fiber-delivered probe suitable for CARS imaging of thick tissues is practical. The disclosed design is based on two advances. First, a major problem in CARS probe design is the presence of a very strong anti-Stokes component in silica delivery fibers generated through a FWM process. Without proper spectral filtering, this component affects the CARS image from the tissue sample. The illustrated embodiments of the invention efficiently suppress this spurious anti-Stokes component through the use of a separate fiber for excitation delivery and for signal detection, which allows the incorporation of dichroic optics for anti-Stokes rejection. Second, the detection of backscattered CARS radiation from the sample is optimized by using a large core multi mode fiber in the detection channel. This scheme produces high quality CARS images free of detector aperture effects. Miniaturization of this fiber-delivered probe results in a practical handheld probe for clinical CARS imaging.

Abstract: A diffuse optical spectroscopy system comprises a laser breast scanner, a handheld probe connected to the laser breast scanner for scanning a breast, and a tracking device coupled to the handheld probe, wherein the tracking device determines locations of the handheld probe relative to the breast. The tracking device comprises a magnetic tracking device, an optical tracking device or a laser tracking device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing bone tissue comprises the steps of and means for: exposing a sample to nonionizing radiation; detecting nonionizing radiation after transit in the bone tissue; measuring optical properties from the detected nonionizing radiation to characterize bone tissue across an entire selected spectral range using a continuous wave model, a frequency domain model or a combination of both wave model and frequency domain models; and determining composition, structure, physiology or a combination thereof of bone tissue from the measured optical properties.

Abstract: An improvement in a method for quantitative modulated imaging to perform depth sectioned reflectance or transmission imaging in a turbid medium, such as human or animal tissue is directed to the steps of encoding periodic pattern of illumination preferably with a fluorescent excitation wavelength when exposing a turbid medium to the periodic pattern to provide depth-resolved discrimination of structures within the turbid medium; and reconstructing a non-contact three dimensional image of the structure within a turbid medium. As a result, wide field imaging, separation of the average background optical properties from the heterogeneity components from a single image, separation of superficial features from deep features based on selection of spatial frequency of illumination, or qualitative and quantitative structure, function and composition information is extracted from spatially encoded data.

Abstract: A method for noninvasively determining deep tissue temperature comprises measuring data relating to spectral shifts of chromophore absorption in tissue using broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy and generating a temperature reading corresponding to the spectral shift of an absorption peak of the chromophore. A bound water correction is made to the spectral shift. A frequency domain measurement at multiple wavelengths is made to determine the absolute absorption and scattering values between 600 and 1050 nm. The measurement of an absolute absorption comprises measuring an absolute absorption coefficient of selected tissue and further comprising deducing concentrations of tissue composition including lipids, deducing information related to heterogeneity and integrity of tissue matrix, and deducing temperature heterogeneity related to vulnerable plaque in vascular tissue. The measurement comprises making a measurement in the range of 600-1100 nm to interrogate a vessel wall in the presence of blood.

Abstract: A device and method utilizes a broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) system to dynamically calculate the concentrations of multiple chromophores in vivo using a non-invasive probe. The device and method permit dynamic monitoring of multiple in vivo tissue chromophores non-invasively with sensitivities necessary for effective therapeutic monitoring. The device includes a probe containing first and second source optical fibers as well as first and second detector optical fibers. The probe is placed adjacent to a sample of interest and detects reflected light which is passed to a proximally located detector and spectrometer. The concentrations of multiple chromophores are determined in real time. In a preferred embodiment, the multiple tissue chromophores include at least two of methemoglobin (MetHb), deoxyhemoglobin (Hb-R), oxyhemoglobin (Hb-O2), water (H2O), and methylene blue (MB).

Abstract: An inexpensive, simple and easy-to-use illuminator element--consisting of chromophores, particularly fluorophores, and/or light-scattering bodies in a stable, typically a polymer plastic, matrix--completely replaces an infinite set of condensers for a optical microscope, and works equally well with microscope objective lenses of any and all numerical apertures. Illuminator elements of a fluorescent type are employed in combination with a primary source of light that is external to the illuminator element itself, and that is preferably but a simple incandescent light bulb. Nonetheless to be energized with spectrally impure light, each illuminator element produces spectrally pure light(s) of a predetermined color or colors, including a pseudo-white light. Sets of illuminator elements permit the ready production of colored light(s) of any desired spectral characteristics from primary light sources that are no more sophisticated, nor any more expensive, than common electric light bulbs.