Abstract: A detector array for use in a laser imaging apparatus, comprises a plurality of housings disposed in an arc around an opening in which an object to be scanned is disposed, each housing including an open front end, a rear end and a longitudinal axis; and a detector disposed within each housing at a distance from the front end, thereby to restrict the field of view of each detector. The housings are adapted to be orbited around the object about an orbit axis. Each detector is adapted to simultaneously detect light exiting from the object within the respective field of view of each detector. A method for collecting light exiting from a object being scanned with a light source is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser imaging apparatus comprises a platform for supporting a female patient in frontdown, prone position, including an opening permitting a breast of the patient to be vertically pendant below the surface of the platform; scanning mechanism disposed below the platform to scan the breast without breast compression. The scanning mechanism includes a source of coherent near infrared light pulses operably directed to the breast; photodetectors operably disposed to detect the light pulses after passing through the breast; circuit for deriving voltages proportional to the intensity of the received pulses; and computer programmed for storing and displaying images of tissue in the breast derived from the voltages.

Abstract: A scanner for a medical optical imaging device, comprises an illumination source positioned to direct emitted light into a breast positioned below a support surface; first and second groups of photodetectors positioned in an arc around the breast to simultaneously detect light emerging from the breast; and optical filters disposed in front of the first group of photodetectors to restrict the wavelength of light reaching the first group of photodetectors.

Abstract: A method for collecting data for use in image reconstruction of a tissue being scanned containing cancer cells comprises the steps of providing a source of laser beam; providing a biochemical marker that selectively binds to cancer cells within the tissue; directing the laser beam toward the object being scanned; orbiting the laser beam around the object; providing a plurality of sensors adapted to simultaneously detect the laser beam after passing through the object; and limiting the sensors to detect only the radiation released by the biochemical marker after having been activated by the laser beam.

Abstract: A breast-shaped phantom for optical imaging comprises a cup in the shape of a human breast in its natural pendant position and a filler occupying the volume of the cup. The cup forms an outer skin of the phantom with a thickness similar to human skin and with optical transparency at selected optical wavelengths similar to human skin. The filler material has optical scattering and absorption characteristics similar to human breast tissue. A method for making the phantom is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser imaging apparatus comprises a platform for supporting a female patient in frontdown, prone position, including an opening permitting a breast of the patient to be vertically pendant below the surface of the platform; scanning mechanism disposed below the platform to scan the breast without breast compression. The scanning mechanism includes a source of coherent near infrared light pulses operably directed to the breast; photodetectors operably disposed to detect the light pulses after passing through the breast; circuit for deriving voltages proportional to the intensity of the received pulses; and computer programmed for storing and displaying images of tissue in the breast derived from the voltages.

Abstract: A scanner for a medical optical imaging device, comprises an illumination source positioned to direct emitted light into a breast positioned below a support surface; first and second groups of photodetectors positioned in an arc around the breast to simultaneously detect light emerging from the breast; and optical filters disposed in front of the first group of photodetectors to restrict the wavelength of light reaching the first group of photodetectors.

Abstract: A scanner for a medical optical imaging device, comprises an illumination source positioned to direct emitted light into a breast positioned below a support surface; first and second groups of photodetectors positioned in an arc around the breast to simultaneously detect light emerging from the breast; and optical filters disposed in front of the first group of photodetectors to restrict the wavelength of light reaching the first group of photodetectors.

Abstract: A method for collecting data for use in image reconstruction of a tissue being scanned containing cancer cells comprises the steps of providing a source of laser beam; providing a biochemical marker that selectively binds to cancer cells within the tissue; directing the laser beam toward the object being scanned; orbiting the laser beam around the object; providing a plurality of sensors adapted to simultaneously detect the laser beam after passing through the object; and limiting the sensors to detect only the radiation released by the biochemical marker after having been activated by the laser beam.

Abstract: A scanner for a medical optical imaging device, comprises an illumination source positioned to direct emitted light into a breast positioned below a support surface; first and second groups of photodetectors positioned in an arc around the breast to simultaneously detect light emerging from the breast; and optical filters disposed in front of the first group of photodetectors to restrict the wavelength of light reaching the first group of photodetectors.

Abstract: A scanner for a medical optical imaging device, comprises an illumination source positioned to direct emitted light into a breast positioned below a support surface; a plurality of detectors positioned to detect light emerging from the breast; and a container disposed below the illumination source and the detectors adapted to trap light reflected from the breast.

Abstract: A detector array for a laser imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of detectors disposed in an arc around an opening in which an object to be scanned is disposed; and a variable gain integrator operably connected to each detector to accommodate the dynamic range of each detector. A method for collecting data for use in image reconstruction of an object being scanned is also disclosed, comprising the steps of providing a plurality of detectors disposed in an arc around the object to be scanned, including a variable gain amplifier connected to each detector; impinging a laser beam at a point on the object; integrating the input to each integrating amplifier at several time intervals; recording each output at each integration interval for use in image reconstruction; orbiting the detectors and the laser beam to a next point on a circle; and repeating steps until a complete circle has been traversed.

Abstract: A detector array for use in a laser imaging apparatus, comprises a plurality of housings disposed in an arc around an opening in which an object to be scanned is disposed, each housing including an open front end, a rear end and a longitudinal axis; and a detector disposed within each housing at a distance from the front end, thereby to restrict the field of view of each detector. The housings are adapted to be orbited around the object about an orbit axis. Each detector is adapted to simultaneously detect light exiting from the object within the respective field of view of each detector. A method for collecting light exiting from a object being scanned with a light source is also disclosed.

Abstract: A detector array for use in a laser imaging apparatus, comprises a plurality of housings disposed in an arc around an opening in which an object to be scanned is disposed, each housing including an open front end, a rear end and a longitudinal axis; and a detector disposed within each housing at a distance from the front end, thereby to restrict the field of view of each detector. The housings are adapted to be orbited around the object about an orbit axis. Each detector is adapted to simultaneously detect light exiting from the object within the respective field of view of each detector. A method for collecting light exiting from a object being scanned with a light source is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser imaging apparatus comprises (R) a platform (16) for supporting a female patient in frontdown, prone position, including an opening (20) permitting a breast of the patient to be vertically pendant below the surface of the platform; scanning mechanism including a multi-faceted mirror (38) adjacent the underside of the platform, the mirror being rotated about its own axis and orbited around the pendant breast; a source of coherent near infrared narrow light pulses operably directed to the multi-faceted mirror; optical reflectors directing the light pulses onto the facets of the mirror from a point spaced from the platform for reflection in a series of horizontal fan shaped beams through a breast pendant below the platform; photodetectors (40) operably disposed to detect the light pulses after passing through the breast; circuit for deriving voltages proportional to the intensity of the received pulses; and computer (10) programmed for storing and displaying images of tissue in the breast derived from the

Abstract: A detector array for a laser imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of detectors disposed in an arc around an opening in which an object to be scanned is disposed; and a variable gain integrator operably connected to each detector to accommodate the dynamic range of each detector. A method for collecting data for use in image reconstruction of an object being scanned is also disclosed, comprising the steps of providing a plurality of detectors disposed in an arc around the object to be scanned, including a variable gain amplifier connected to each detector; impinging a laser beam at a point on the object; integrating the input to each integrating amplifier at several time intervals; recording each output at each integration interval for use in image reconstruction; orbiting the detectors and the laser beam to a next point on a circle; and repeating steps until a complete circle has been traversed.

Abstract: A detector array for use in a laser imaging apparatus, comprises a plurality of housings disposed in an arc around an opening in which an object to be scanned is disposed, each housing including an open front end, a rear end and a longitudinal axis; and a detector disposed within each housing at a distance from the front end, thereby to restrict the field of view of each detector. The housings are adapted to be orbited around the object about an orbit axis. Each detector is adapted to simultaneously detect light exiting from the object within the respective field of view of each detector. A method for collecting light exiting from a object being scanned with a light source is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the perimeter of an object being scanned comprises a scanning chamber for receiving therein an object being scanned; a source of laser beam disposed within the scanning chamber for impinging on the object being scanned, the laser beam being adapted to orbit around the object; an array of sensors disposed within the chamber, each of the sensors being adapted to detect light emanating from the surface of the object due to the laser beam exiting from the object; and each of the sensors being disposed such that at least only one of the sensors generates a peak response to light emanating from a point on the surface at a predetermined distance from a reference point, such that at each angular position of the laser beam in the orbit, a specific point at a distance from the reference is determined, thereby to generate a set of points representing the perimeter of the surface after a complete orbit.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the perimeter of an object being scanned comprises a movable arm adapted to follow the surface of an object being scanned as the arm is orbited around the object; the arm having one end being adapted to maintain contact with the surface as the arm is orbited around the object; and an encoder operably connected to the arm for determining the movement of the lever arm at each angular position around the object. An opaque cup is positioned at one end of the lever arm immediately over a point on said surface at which a laser beam impinges on the surface of the object being scanned such that reflection from the surface is retained within the cup.

Abstract: A method for collecting data for use in image reconstruction of a tissue being scanned containing cancer cells comprises the steps of providing a source of laser beam; providing a biochemical marker that selectively binds to cancer cells within the tissue; directing the laser beam toward the object being scanned; orbiting the laser beam around the object; providing a plurality of sensors adapted to simultaneously detect the laser beam after passing through the object; and limiting the sensors to detect only the radiation released by the biochemical marker after having been activated by the laser beam.