Other

The University of British Columbia

Derma Technologies, Inc.

British Columbia Cancer Agency Branch

Britisg Columbia Cancer Agency Branch

Zeng, Haishan

Tchvialeva, Lioudmila

Liu, Harvey

Mclean, David

Lee, Tim

Harvey Lui

Tim K. Lee

Lioudmila Tchvialeva

Haishan Zeng

David I. Mclean

David I McLean

Branko Mihael Palcic

Calum Macaulay

Albert F Burton

Calum MacAulay

Tim K Lee

Calum E MacAulay

Zhiwei Huang

Hequn Wang

Anthony Lee

Robert Bissonnette

Shuo Tang

A multiphoton microscope is provided. The microscope includes: an excitation source for providing an optical excitation beam at an excitation wavelength &#x3bb;; a scanner for scanning the excitation beam on a sample; an objective for irradiating the sample with the excitation beam scanned by the scanner and for collecting an emission beam from the sample; a first detector for detecting a plurality of multiphoton signals; and an emission light path allowing transmission from the objective to the first detector a wavelength band limited to greater than or equal to &#x3bb;/2 and less than &#x3bb;, wherein the plurality of multiphoton signals have wavelengths within the wavelength band; wherein the plurality of multiphoton signals com-prises a first multiphoton signal and a second multiphoton signal of different types. Fast image capture rate multiphoton microscopes for in vivo imaging, as well as photothermolysis methods using the microscopes are also provided.

Apparatus and methods for multiphoton microscopy

Methods and apparatus for classifying tissue use features of Raman spectra and background fluorescent spectra. The spectra may be acquired in the near-infrared wavelengths. Principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis of reference spectra may be used to obtain a classification function that accepts features of the Raman and background fluorescence spectra for test tissue and yields an indication as to the likelihood that the test tissue is abnormal. The methods and apparatus may be applied to screening for skin cancers or other diseases.

Multimodal detection of tissue abnormalities based on raman and background fluorescence spectroscopy

In one aspect, the invention provides a diagnostic method for identifying psoriatic plaques in which Porphyrins, particularly protoporphyrin IX, are elevated as compared to normal skin and skin of patients with other dermatological diseases, including other forms of psoriatic plaque. Psoriatic plaques with elevated porphyrin levels may be detected by fluorescence and spectral analysis. Endogenous porphyrins in psoriatic plaques may be activated with visible light to treat psoriatic plaques having elevated porphyrin concentrations. Skin conditions may be optimized to increase the endogenous concentration of porphyrins in psoriatic plaques. A topical formulation may be applied to psoriatic plaques to optimize skin conditions such as pH, iron concentration, temperature, hydration, calcium concentration, oxygenation, electrical conductivity and estrogen concentration to increase the concentration of endogenous porphyrins.

Photoactivation of endogenous porphyrins for treatment of psoriasis

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

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

This invention pertains to the novel use of N-acetyl glucosamine as a cytoprotective agent for persons afflicted with psoriasis by restoring integrity and normal function of skin. A method of treating psoriasis in a human being comprising feeding the human being a therapeutic amount of N-acetyl glucosamine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, on a periodic basis.

Method and composition for treating psoriasis

This invention pertains to the use of medium chain fatty acids (C8-10) in the treatment of skin lesions. More particularly, the invention relates to a preparation containing medium chain fatty acids (C8-10) which has beneficial effects when applied topically in skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis, chronic conditions considered to be pre-cancerous lesions, and malignant lesions of skin. A composition for topically treating skin lesions which comprises a fatty acid of a carbon number from 8 to 10 having a free carboxyl group and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Medium chain fatty acids of C8-10 for the treatment of skin lesions

A rebounding ball game comprising a circular planar horizontal court and a deflecting element having a spherical concave rebound surface mounted generally orthogonal to the court, such that a substantial portion of the rebound surface extends above the court and a substantial portion of the court extends forwardly of the rebound surface. Players position themselves on generally opposite sides of the court forwardly of the rebound surface and propel a ball against the rebound surface to deflect onto the court in order to score points. The court may be provided with an aperture defining an out-of-play region, and may be elevated by a tripod or other suitable support. In another embodiment, the deflecting element may be pivoted on a support to be displaced from a position in which it is mounted orthogonal to the court to a position in which it is supported horizontally above the court and shields the court from adverse weather conditions.

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Vancouver, Canada

David I McLean