Other

Xillix Technologies Corporation

Perceptronix Medical, Inc.

Oncometrics Imaging Corp.

Derma Technologies, Inc.

Accumed International, Inc.

Monogen, Inc.

Perceptronix Medical, Inc. and British Columbia Cancer Agency

British Columbia Cancer Agency

Branko Mihael Palcic

Stephen C-t Lam

Haishan Zeng

Bruno W Jaggi

Calum E MacAulay

David M Garner

David I McLean

Harvey Lui

Calum Macaulay

S Alan Harrison

Gary William Ferguson

Mario Zganec

Margareta Flezar

Jaka Lavrencak

Calum MacAulay

Peter William Payne

Amedeus E Profio

Alexei Doudkine

Paul Pong-Shing Lam

Jan Nordin

Mohammed J Deen

Jaclyn Y-c Hung

Jaclyn Hung

Marija Us-Krasovec

Alexei K Doudkine

Calum E Macaulay

Computer programs, systems and the like related to processing, segmenting and feature normalizing digital images. The images are of cells and the methods are useful for the detection of malignancy-associated changes (MAC) in cells, which can be used for the detection of cancer. The programs and methods detect cancer in one tissue by detecting MAC in another tissue, such as associated tissues or non-associated tissues. Examples of associated tissues include nipple aspirates or ductal washings to detect breast cancer, and sputum or bronchial lavage to detect lung cancer. Examples of non-associated tissues include buccal mucosa to detect lung or breast cancer.

Computerized methods and systems related to the detection of malignancy-associated changes (MAC) to detect cancer

Optical systems that provide for simultaneous images and spectra from an object, such as a tissue sample, an industrial object such as a computer chip, or any other object that can be viewed with an optical system such as a microscope, endoscope, telescope or camera. In some embodiments, the systems provide multiple images corresponding to various desired wavelength ranges within an original image of the object, as well as, if desired, directional pointer(s) that can provide both an identification of the precise location from which a spectrum is being obtained, as well as enhancing the ability to point the device.

Image detection apparatus for fluorescence and reflectance imaging and spectroscopy and for contemporaneous measurements of electromagnetic radiation with multiple measuring devices

The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive apparatus for and method of capturing biological or other material from sample suspensions on a collection surface and for depositing captured material on a receiving surface, such as a microscope slide, for observation and analysis. Accordingly, cytological material may be deposited in near mono-layers for the detection of disease. In one embodiment of the present invention, density gradients of material are captured and deposited, thus providing a desired range of concentrations for examination. In another embodiment multiple depositions or multiple slides may be made from the same sample suspension. The method and apparatus to exploit this new method are both presented for various applications. The dimensions of material captured and deposited may be controlled and used in conjunction with microscope slides that confine material to specific regions of interest.

Filter devices for depositing material and density gradients of material from sample suspension

Imaging systems for fluorescence and reflectance imaging and spectroscopy and for contemporaneous measurements of electromagnetic radiation with multiple measuring devices

Imaging methods for fluorescence and reflectance imaging and spectroscopy and for contemporaneous measurements of electromagnetic radiation with multiple measuring devices

Methods and apparatus for contemporaneous measurements of electromagnetic radiation with multiple measuring devices, for producing a high diagnostic sensitivity image while achieving high diagnostic specificity with spectroscopy, for producing illumination for fluorescence/NIR reflectance imaging and white light reflectance imaging, all with the same sensors are disclosed. The method may involve selectively adjusting a gain of an imaging device in at least one wavelength band relative to a gain in at least one other band to produce an optimized image of an object, and may also involve producing a first reflectance signal in a first NIR wavelength band, and producing a second reflectance signal in a second NIR band such that an absorption coefficient ratio of oxyhemoglobin to deoxyhemoglobin in the second wavelength band differs from that in the first wavelength band, to permit the first and second reflectance signals to be used to produce a tissue oxygenation image.

Methods and apparatus for fluorescence and reflectance imaging and spectroscopy and for contemporaneous measurements of electromagnetic radiation with multiple measuring devices

A method for detecting malignancy-associated changes. A sample of cells is obtained and stained to identify the nuclear DNA material. The sample is imaged with a digital microscope. Objects of interest are identified in the sample of cells based on the intensity of the pixels that comprise the object versus the average intensity of all pixels in the slide image. An exact edge is located for each object and variations in the illumination intensity of the microscope are compensated for. A computer system calculates feature values for each object and, based on the value of the features, a determination is made whether the cell exhibits malignancy-associated changes or not.

Method and apparatus for automatically detecting malignancy-associated changes

A method and apparatus for controlling the dosimetry of a photodynamic therapy that involves exposing a site to be treated to treatment light in order to generate toxic products at the site and other photoproducts. Often a photosensitizer drug is administered to the patient prior to treatment or the therapy relies on the presence of endogenous photosensitizers. The method comprises the steps of selecting a photoproduct having an identifying characteristic, which can be a fluorescence peak, and monitoring the photoproduct using the identifying characteristic (e.g. fluorescence) to determine the level of the photoproduct being generated. The photodynamic therapy is then terminated when the photoproduct being monitored reaches a predetermined level. The method allows for safe treatment of a site using photodynamic therapy and ensures that overexposure to treatment light leading to damage of normal tissue or underexposure leading to ineffective treatment of the lesion does not occur. Apparatus for automatically carrying out the method is also provided.

Apparatus and method to monitor photodynamic therapy (PDT)

Apparatus for diagnosis of a skin disease site using spectral analysis includes a light source for generating light to illuminate the disease site and a probe unit optically connected to the light source for exposing the disease site to light to generate fluorescence and reflectance light. The probe unit also collects the generated fluorescence and reflectance light and transmits this light to a spectrometer to be analyzed. The spectrometer generates and displays spectral measurements of the fluorescence light and the reflectance light which in together assist the user in diagnosing the disease site. The apparatus makes use of a conventional personal computer using a plug-in spectrometer card to provide a compact and low costs system. The system performs combined fluorescence and reflectance spectral analysis in a quick and efficient manner to provide a powerful tool for dermatologic diagnosis.

Apparatus and methods relating to optical systems for diagnosis of skin

A system and method for detecting diagnostic cells and cells having malignancy-associated changes are disclosed. The system includes an automated classifier having a microscope, camera, image digitizer, a computer system for controlling and interfacing these components, a primary classifier for initial cell classification, and a secondary classifier for subsequent cell classification. The method utilizes the automated classifier to automatically detect diagnostic cells and cells having malignancy-associated changes. The system and method are particularly useful for detecting these cells in cell samples obtained from bronchial specimens such as lung sputum.

System and method for automatically detecting malignant cells and cells

Apparatus for the diagnosis of a skin disease site by visual fluorescence inspection comprising an excitation light source for illuminating the disease site, a light guide for transmitting the excitation light directly to the disease site to generate fluorescence light and viewing goggles for processing the excitation light reflected and the fluorescence light emitted from the disease site to provide a fluorescence image of the disease site to a user. The fluorescence image is used to aid the medical assessment of skin conditions and the diagnosis of cutaneous diseases by supplementing the visual assessment of skin lesions made by the naked eye. The apparatus can be used in several modes of operation that permit the viewing of full color fluorescence images and enhanced two color images. The apparatus can also use image intensifying equipment to amplify fluorescence light so that even very weak fluorescing objects can be seen. A method for acquiring and viewing the fluorescence images is also disclosed.

Fluorescence scope system for dermatologic diagnosis

Apparatus for diagnosis of a skin disease site using spectral analysis includes a light source for generating light to illuminate the disease site and a probe unit optically connected to the light source for exposing the disease site to light to generate fluorescence and reflectance light. The probe unit also collects the generated fluorescence and reflectance light and transmits this light to a spectrometer to be analysed. The spectrometer generates and displays spectral measurements of the fluorescence light and the reflectance light which in together assist the user in diagnosing the disease site. The apparatus makes use of a conventional personal computer using a plug-in spectrometer card to provide a compact and low cost system. The system performs combined fluorescence and reflectance spectral analysis in a quick and efficient manner to provide a powerful tool for dermatologic diagnosis.

Spectrometer system for diagnosis of skin disease

A composition and method for staining cellular DNA are disclosed. The composition of the present invention is an aqueous alcoholic solution that includes a cationic stain, a metabisulfite, and an alcohol preferably selected from methanol, ethanol, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the cationic stain is thionin.

Composition and method for staining cellular DNA, comprising thiazine

Method and apparatus for automatically detecting malignancy-associated

An apparatus and method for imaging diseases in tissue are presented. The apparatus employs a light source for producing excitation light to excite the tissue to generate autofluorescence light and for producing illumination light to generate reflected and back scattered light (remittance light) from the tissue. Optical sensors are used to receive the autofluorescence light and the remittance light to collect an autofluorescence light image and a remittance light image. A filter acts to integrate the autofluorescence image over a range of wavelengths in which the autofluorescence intensity for normal tissue is substantially different from the autofluorescence intensity for diseased tissue to establish an integrated autofluorescence image of the tissue. The remittance light image provides a background image to normalize the autofluorescence image to account for image non-uniformity due to changes in distance, angle and illumination intensity. A monitor displays the integrated autofluorescence image and the remittance light image to produce a normalized image in which diseased tissue is distinguishable from normal tissue. The optical sensor can be installed adjacent the end of an endoscope probe inserted into a body cavity. A method for imaging diseased tissue using an integrated fluorescence image and a normalizing remittance image is also disclosed.

Endoscope having an integrated CCD sensor

Growing community of inventors

Vancouver, Canada

Branko Mihael Palcic