Patents by Inventor Michele Follen
Michele Follen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 7659071Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of E6 and/or E7 peptides from human papilloma virus (HPV) to evaluate a cell-mediated response in a patient infected with HPV to determine the prognosis for that patient with respect to the development or recurrence of pre-cancerous or cancerous growths, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Board of Regents, the University of Texas SystemInventors: Jagannadha K. Sastry, Guillermo Tortolero-Luna, Michele Follen
-
Publication number: 20090053296Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of E6 and/or E7 peptides from human papilloma virus (HPV) to evaluate a cell-mediated response in a patient infected with HPV to determine the prognosis for that patient with respect to the development or recurrence of pre-cancerous or cancerous growths, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventors: Jagannadha K. Sastry, Guillermo Tortolero-Luna, Michele Follen
-
Patent number: 7410758Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of E6 and/or E7 peptides from human papilloma virus (HPV) to evaluate a cell-mediated response in a patient infected with HPV to determine the prognosis for that patient with respect to the development or recurrence of pre-cancerous or cancerous growths, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Board of Regents, the University of Texas SystemInventors: Jagannadha K. Sastry, Guillermo Tortolero-Luna, Michele Follen
-
Method for probabilistically classifying tissue in vitro and in vivo using fluorescence spectroscopy
Patent number: 7236815Abstract: Fluorescence spectral data acquired from tissues in vivo or in vitro is processed in accordance with a multivariate statistical method to achieve the ability to probabilistically classify tissue in a diagnostically useful manner, such as by histopathological classification. The apparatus includes a controllable illumination device for emitting electromagnetic radiation selected to cause tissue to produce a fluorescence intensity spectrum. Also included are an optical system for applying the plurality of radiation wavelengths to a tissue sample, and a fluorescence intensity spectrum detecting device for detecting an intensity of fluorescence spectra emitted by the sample as a result of illumination by the controllable illumination device. The system also include a data processor, connected to the detecting device, for analyzing detected fluorescence spectra to calculate a probability that the sample belongs in a particular classification.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2003Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas SystemInventors: Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Nirmala Ramanujam, Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, Michele Follen, Urs Utzinger -
Publication number: 20050048467Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of E6 and/or E7 peptides from human papilloma virus (HPV) to evaluate a cell-mediated response in a patient infected with HPV to determine the prognosis for that patient with respect to the development or recurrence of pre-cancerous or cancerous growths, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2002Publication date: March 3, 2005Inventors: Jagannadha Sastry, Guillermo Tortolero-Luna, Michele Follen
-
Publication number: 20040162489Abstract: Fluorescence spectral data acquired from tissues in vivo or in vitro is processed in accordance with a multivariate statistical method to achieve the ability to probabilistically classify tissue in a diagnostically useful manner, such as by histopathological classification. The apparatus includes a controllable illumination device for emitting electromagnetic radiation selected to cause tissue to produce a fluorescence intensity spectrum. Also included are an optical system for applying the plurality of radiation wavelengths to a tissue sample, and a fluorescence intensity spectrum detecting device for detecting an intensity of fluorescence spectra emitted by the sample as a result of illumination by the controllable illumination device. The system also include a data processor, connected to the detecting device, for analyzing detected fluorescence spectra to calculate a probability that the sample belongs in a particular classification.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System.Inventors: Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Nirmala Ramanujam, Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, Michele Follen, Urs Utzinger
-
Patent number: 6766184Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating multispectral images of tissue. The multispectral images may be used as a diagnostic tool for conditions such as cervical cancer detection and diagnosis. Primary radiation is produced with an illumination source. The primary radiation is filtered to select a first wavelength and a first polarization. Tissue is illuminated with the filtered primary radiation to generate secondary radiation, which is filtered to select a second wavelength and a second polarization. The filtered secondary radiation is collected with a detector, and a plurality of multispectral images of the tissue is generated according to different combinations of first and second wavelengths and first and second polarization with an analysis unit in operable relation with the detector. Apparatus utilizing the invention include endoscopes and colposcopes.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2001Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, BC Cancer AgencyInventors: Urs Utzinger, Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Calum MacAuldy, Michele Follen
-
Publication number: 20040064053Abstract: Systems and methods are described for improved diagnostic fluorescence and reflectance. A method of detecting tissue abnormality in a tissue sample in vivo detects a set of reflectance spectra emitted from a tissue sample as a result of illumination with an excitation light from a fiber optic probe that has at least one collection fiber positioned at a source-detector separation, and determining if the tissue sample is normal or abnormal based on the resulting reflectance spectra. Another method of detecting tissue abnormality in a tissue sample in vivo includes illuminating the tissue sample in vivo with at least one electromagnetic radiation wavelength selected to cause the tissue sample to produce a set of fluorescence intensity spectra indicative of tissue abnormality, detecting the resulting fluorescence intensity spectra, and determining if the tissue sample is normal or abnormal based on the resulting fluorescence intensity spectra.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Sung K. Chang, Yvette Mirabal, Michele Follen, Anais Malpica, Urs Utzinger, Gregg Staerkel, Dennis Cox, E. Neely Atkinson, Calum MacAulay, Rebecca Richards-Kortum
-
Patent number: 6697666Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing tissue of epithelial lined viscus in vivo including, for example, the endocervical canal. The method comprises illuminating an interior surface of the viscus with electromagnetic radiation wavelengths to produce a plurality of fluorescence intensity spectra, detecting a plurality of emission wavelengths from the fluorescence intensity spectra, and characterizing the epithelial viscus tissue as a function of the emission wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2000Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Michele Follen Mitchell, Urs Utzinger
-
Publication number: 20020065468Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating multispectral images of tissue. The multispectral images may be used as a diagnostic tool for conditions such as cervical cancer detection and diagnosis. Primary radiation is produced with an illumination source. The primary radiation is filtered to select a first wavelength and a first polarization. Tissue is illuminated with the filtered primary radiation to generate secondary radiation, which is filtered to select a second wavelength and a second polarization. The filtered secondary radiation is collected with a detector, and a plurality of multispectral images of the tissue is generated according to different combinations of first and second wavelengths and first and second polarization with an analysis unit in operable relation with the detector. Apparatus utilizing the invention include endoscopes and colposcopes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventors: Urs Utzinger, Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Calum MacAuley, Michele Follen
-
Patent number: 6258576Abstract: The present invention involves the use of fluorescence spectroscopy in the diagnosis of cervical cancer and precancer. Using multiple illumination wavelengths, it is possible to (i) differentiate normal or inflamed tissue from squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) and (ii) to differentiate high grade SILs from non-high grade SILs. The detection may be performed in vitro or in vivo. Multivariate statistical analysis was employed to reduce the number of fluorescence excitation-emission wavelength pairs needed to re-develop algorithms that demonstrate a minimum decrease in classification accuracy. Fluorescence at excitation-emission wavelength pairs was used to redevelop and test screening and diagnostic algorithms that have a similar classification accuracy to those that employ fluorescence emission spectra at three excitation wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1996Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Board of Regents, the University of Texas SystemInventors: Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Nirmala Ramanujam, Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, Michele Follen Mitchell
-
Patent number: 6241662Abstract: A method for using acetic acid as a signal enhancing contrast agent during fluorescence spectroscopy of normal and neoplastic tissue, particularly epithelium. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of detecting tissue abnormality in a diagnostic tissue sample in a patient, comprising the steps of obtaining a first fluorescence intensity spectrum from the diagnostic tissue sample; thereafter, applying acetic acid to the diagnostic tissue sample in sufficient concentration to alter the response of such diagnostic tissue sample to electromagnetic radiation for at least an effective period of time; during the effective period of time, obtaining a second fluorescence intensity spectrum from the diagnostic tissue sample; determining a parameter indicative of a change between the first and second fluorescence emission intensity spectra; and analyzing the determined parameter to determine a probability that the diagnostic tissue sample is normal or abnormal.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1998Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Lifespex, Inc.Inventors: Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Anant Agrawal, Costas Pitris, Urs Utzinger, Carrie Brookner, Michele Follen Mitchell
-
Patent number: 6166079Abstract: Methods for treating, preventing, controlling the growth of and/or reducing the risk of developing cervical cancer, particularly in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia are provided employing pharmaceutically acceptable preparations of DFMO. Methods for treating a patient having cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, which methods comprise administering DFMO alone or in combination with a cytotoxic or cytostatic agent, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1996Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Michele Follen, Wuan K. Hong, Reuben Lotan, Walter Hittelman, Kenji Nishioka
-
Patent number: 6095982Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting tissue abnormality, particularly precancerous cervical tissue, through fluorescence or Raman spectroscopy, or a combination of fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy. In vivo fluorescence measurements were followed by in vitro NIR Raman measurements on human cervical biopsies. Fluorescence spectra collected at 337, 380 and 460 nm excitation were used to develop a diagnostic method to differentiate between normal and dysplastic tissues. Using a fluorescence diagnostic method, a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 67% were observed for differentiating squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) from all other tissues. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, using Raman scattering peaks observed at selected wavenumbers, SILs were separated from other tissues with a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 100%. In addition, inflammation and metaplasia samples are correctly separated from the SILs.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1997Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Nirmala Ramanujam, Anita Mahadevan, Michele Follen Mitchell
-
Patent number: 5991653Abstract: Early diagnosis of cervical precancer is an important clinical goal. Optical spectroscopy has been suggested as a new technique to overcome limitations of current clinical practice. Herein, NIR Raman spectroscopy is applied to the diagnosis of cervical precancers. Using algorithms based on empirically selected peak intensities, ratios of peak intensities and a combination of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for data reduction and Fisher Discriminant Analysis (FDA), normal tissues, inflammation and metaplasia were distinguishable from low grade and high grade precancers. The primary contributors to the tissue spectra appear to be collagen, nucleic acids, phospholipids and glucose 1-phosphate. These results suggest that near infrared Raman spectroscopy can be used effectively for cervical precancer diagnosis.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1996Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, Nirmala Ramanujam, Michele Follen Mitchell
-
Patent number: 5842995Abstract: An optical probe is disclosed which is suitable for rapidly measuring Raman spectra in vivo. The probe is designed to minimize interfering Raman and fluorescence signals generated within the probe itself. In addition, the probe design is compact, making it particularly suited for use in confined spaces such as body cavities. In one embodiment, the probe is employed to detect tissue abnormalities such as cervical cancers and precancers.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1996Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Board of Regents, The Univerisity of Texas SystemInventors: Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Michele Follen Mitchell
-
Patent number: 5699795Abstract: A probe, and an apparatus incorporating the probe, for detecting tissue abnormality, particularly precancerous cervical tissue, through fluorescence spectroscopy are disclosed. In vivo fluorescence excitation and detection can be accomplished easily and accurately using a probe whose tip conforms to the surface of the cervix. In addition, a higher number of fiber pairs provides more information and, therefore, more accurate diagnosis.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1995Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Costas Pitris, Michele Follen Mitchell
-
Patent number: 5697373Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting tissue abnormality, particularly precancerous cervical tissue, through fluorescence or Raman spectroscopy, or a combination of fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy. In vivo fluorescence measurements were followed by in vitro NIR Raman measurements on human cervical biopsies. Fluorescence spectra collected at 337, 380 and 460 nm excitation were used to develop a diagnostic method to differentiate between normal and dysplastic tissues. Using a fluorescence diagnostic method, a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 67% were observed for differentiating squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) from all other tissues. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, using Raman scattering peaks observed at selected wavenumbers, SILs were separated from other tissues with a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 100%. In addition, inflammation and metaplasia samples are correctly separated from the SILs.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1995Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas SystemInventors: Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Nirmala Ramanujam, Anita Mahadevan, Michele Follen Mitchell