Abstract: A method and system for detecting abnormalities in the properties of the walls of a subject's blood vessels by observing the characteristics of blood flow in vessels which are optically accessible, such as the retinal vasculature. A time sequenced series of images is taken, and the images are processed to eliminate the background and render erythrocyte motion visible. Information about the state of the inner wall of the blood vessel which has been imaged is obtained from the characteristics of this blood flow. This information can be extrapolated to provide information about the state of the blood vessels elsewhere in the subject. In addition, a system and method is described for detecting arteriosclerotic plaque on the walls of blood vessels by labeling the plaque with a molecular label having desired optical or radioactive properties, and directly imaging the plaque either in an optically accessible blood vessel, or by imaging radioactive label in the plaque in a blood vessel anywhere in the body.

Abstract: A method includes directing toward a portion of a subject's body a first pulse of electromagnetic energy. While the portion is in a functional state due to the first pulse, a second pulse is directed toward the portion. At a second-pulse time, reflected energy due to the second pulse is detected. While the portion is in a functional state due to the first and second pulses, a third pulse is directed toward the portion. At a third-pulse time, energy of the third pulse, reflected from the portion, is detected. In response to detecting the pulses at the second-pulse time and the third-pulse time, a characteristic of the portion is quantified resulting from (a) the functional state due to the first pulse and (b) the functional state due to the first and second pulses. A clinical state of the subject is identified. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Apparatus (2) is provided, including a heartbeat measurement device (3), which senses a cardiac parameter of a patient and generates a cardiac parameter signal responsively thereto. An optical measurement device acquires data by emitting towards tissue of the patient 400-1000 niti light, and receiving light reflected from the tissue. An integrator unit (10) receives the cardiac parameter signal and, in response thereto, actuates the optical measurement device to acquire the data.

Abstract: A method and system for determination and mapping the quantity of chromophores having a distinct spectrum attached to moving objects in an spectrally rich environment that may include multiple chromophores attached to stationary objects. Au area of interest is imaged at different times and different wavelengths, and the spectral properties of the chromophores attached to the moving objects are separated from the stationary spectral properties of the background, followed by spectral analysis of the moving objects to determine their quantity. Application to the retinal vasculature is illustrated, showing the imaging, analyzing and quantifying of the oxygen saturation of retinal blood, resolved for the different vascular compartments, including capillaries, arterioles, venules, arteries, and veins.

Abstract: A method includes directing toward a portion of a subject's body a first pulse of electromagnetic energy. While the portion is in a functional state due to the first pulse, a second pulse is directed toward the portion. At a second-pulse time, reflected energy due to the second pulse is detected. While the portion is in a functional state due to the first and second pulses, a third pulse is directed toward the portion. At a third-pulse time, energy of the third pulse, reflected from the portion, is detected. In response to detecting the pulses at the second-pulse time and the third-pulse time, a characteristic of the portion is quantified resulting from (a) the functional state due to the first pulse and (b) the functional state due to the first and second pulses. A clinical state of the subject is identified. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method and system for determination and mapping the quantity of chromophores having a distinct spectrum attached to moving objects in an spectrally rich environment that may include multiple chromophores attached to stationary objects. An area of inters is imaged at different times and different wavelengths, and the spectral properties of the or more chromophores attached to the moving objects are separated from the stationary spectral properties of the background, followed by spectral analysis of the moving objects to determine their quantity. Application to the retinal vasculature is illustrated, showing the imaging, analyzing and quantifying of the oxygen saturation of retinal blood, resolved for the different vascular compartments—capillaries, arterioles, venules, arteries, and veins.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting abnormalities in the properties of the walls of a subject's blood vessels by observing the characteristics of blood flow in vessels which are optically accessible, such as the retinal vasculature. A time sequenced series of images is taken, and the images are processed to eliminate the background and render erythrocyte motion visible. Information about the state of the inner wall of the blood vessel which has been imaged is obtained from the characteristics of this blood flow. This information can be extrapolated to provide information about the state of the blood vessels elsewhere in the subject. In addition, a system and method is described for detecting arteriosclerotic plaque on the walls of blood vessels by labeling the plaque with a molecular label having desired optical or radioactive properties, and directly imaging the plaque either in an optically accessible blood vessel, or by imaging radioactive label in the plaque in a blood vessel anywhere in the body.

Abstract: A method and system for determination and mapping the quantity of chromophores having a distinct spectrum attached to moving objects in an spectrally rich environment that may include multiple chromophores attached to stationary objects. An area of inters is imaged at different times and different wavelengths, and the spectral properties of the or more chromophores attached to the moving objects are separated from the stationary spectral properties of the background, followed by spectral analysis of the moving objects to determine their quantity. Application to the retinal vasculature is illustrated, showing the imaging, analyzing and quantifying of the oxygen saturation of retinal blood, resolved for the different vascular compartments—capillaries, arterioles, venules, arteries, and veins.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for directly imaging and analyzing the movement of individual erythrocytes in blood vessels, the system comprising imaging means (4, 26) for acquiring, within a predetermined time interval from each other, at least one pair of images of at least one same erythrocyte for producing at least two frames, each image representing an analog or digital image of the location of the erythrocyte in each of the frames at a predetermined time; image acquisition means (12) for collecting and storing analog or digital images in machine-readable form, and a computer (10) for controlling the operation of the imaging means and the image acquisition means, for processing the at least two frames, and for analyzing the movement of the erythrocyte in the blood vessels. A method for directly imaging and analyzing the movement of individual erythrocytes in blood vessels is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for imaging reflectance changes, intrinsic or extrinsic fluorescence changes of a retina (6) due to retinal function, including an imaging illuminator (14) for illumination of the retina (6); a retina-stimulating illuminator (2) for inducing a functional response; an imaging device (20) receiving light from the retina (6) via retinal imaging optics (12); image acquisition means (26) for digitizing and storing images received from the imaging device (20), and a computer (28) for controlling the operation of the system and for processing the stored images to reveal a differential functional signal corresponding to the retina's function.

Abstract: An image enhancement method, wherein video analog signals are provided, a reference analog image is selected and the signals of the image are digitized, the digitized signals are converted to video analog reference signals, the reference signals are synchronized with video analog signals to be enhanced, the converted analog reference signals are subtracted from the video analog signals, and only then the subtracted analog signals are amplified, so as to obtain a sequence of enhanced images, in real time. There is also provided an image enhancement system.