Abstract: A rectal near infrared (NIR) scanning polarization imaging system uses NIR Photonic Prostatoscopy Analyzer (NIRPPA) for prostate cancer detection using light. The NIRPPA consists of a portable rectal NIR scanning polarization imaging unit and an optical fiber-based rectal probe capable of recording sets of 2D images of a prostate through rectum at different wavelengths and depths and obtaining a three dimensional (3D) image of the prostate and 3D locations of abnormal tissue inside the prostate. Diode lasers/light emission diodes (LEDs) with selected emitting wavelengths are used in the NIR spectral range from 650 nm to 2,400 nm corresponding to the four tissue optical windows (#I, 650 nm-950 nm; #II, 1,100 nm-1,350 nm; #III, 1,600 nm-1,870 nm; and #IV, 2,100 nm-2,300 nm). The fingerprint absorptions of water (H2O), Oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) in the prostate are used as native biomarkers for prostate cancer detection.

Abstract: A rectal near infrared (NIR) scanning polarization imaging system uses NIR Photonic Prostatoscopy Analyzer (NIRPPA) for prostate cancer detection using light. The NIRPPA consists of a portable rectal NIR scanning polarization imaging unit and an optical fiber-based rectal probe capable of recording sets of 2D images of a prostate through rectum at different wavelengths and depths and obtaining a three dimensional (3D) image of the prostate and 3D locations of abnormal tissue inside the prostate. Diode lasers/light emission diodes (LEDs) with selected emitting wavelengths are used in the NIR spectral range from 650 nm to 2,400 nm corresponding to the four tissue optical windows (#I, 650 nm-950 nm; #II, 1,100 nm-1,350 nm; #III, 1,600 nm-1,870 nm; and #IV, 2,100 nm-2,300 nm). The fingerprint absorptions of water (H2O), Oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) in the prostate are used as native biomarkers for prostate cancer detection.

Abstract: Biological material is characterized by illuminating the material with a beam of light, measuring light scattered from the material and then determining the condition of the material using the measurements. In one embodiment the angular line shape of the backscattered light is measured and then used to determine the scattering mean free path (1) and the absorption length (la) of the light scattered in the material to find out the condition of the material. These values so obtained are compared to values for a material whose condition is normal to determine if the condition of the material being examined is abnormal or normal. In another embodiment the temporal profile of the scattered pulse is used to determine (1) and (1a).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distingishing cancerous tumors and tissue from benign tumors and tissue or normal tissue using native fluorescence. The tissue to be examined is excited with a beam of monochromatic light at 300 nanometers (nm). The intensity of the native fluorescence emitted from tissue is measured at 340 and 440 nm. The ratio of the two intensities is then calculated and used as a basis for determining if the tissue is cancerous as opposed to benign or normal. The invention is based on the discovery that when tissue is excited with monochromatic light at 300 nm, the native fluorescence spectrum over the region from about 320 nm to 600 nm is the tissue that is cancerous and substantially different from the native fluorescence spectrum that would result if the tissue is either benign or normal. The technique is useful in invivo and in vitro testing of human as well as animal tissue.