Medispectra, Incorporated

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Other

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc.

Beth Israel Hospital Administration

Mark D Modell

Robert Nordstrom

Isaac Ostrovsky

Robert J Crowley

A Ze'ev Hed

Juan G Alvarez

Jason Sproul

Jennie Kwo

Matthew Emans

David Bee

Ze'ev Hed

Alexander Zelenchuk

Gregory DeBaryshe

Louis J Barbato

Lev T Perelman

David Lipson

In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an imager configured to generate a plurality of frames at a frame frequency greater than an electromagnetic energy emission pulse frequency of a medical device, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames may include a first plurality of rows. The apparatus may also include an electronic shutter module configured to offset a start time of each row of the first plurality of rows in each frame from the plurality of frames from a start time of an adjacent row in that same frame. The apparatus may further include an image processing module configured to generate a plurality of valid frames based on at least a portion of the plurality of frames, wherein the plurality of valid frames may include a frame frequency lower than the frame frequency of the plurality of frames.

System and method for imaging during a medical procedure

Apparatus including a broadband illumination source and a confocal optical system. The confocal optical system is configured and arranged to receive a portion of light projected onto an object by the broadband illumination source. The apparatus can include an illumination source, a confocal optical system, and at least one detector configured and arranged to receive angularly separated light corresponding to a confocal volume. There is also provided a light scattering spectroscopic device including a broadband illumination source, a two-dimensional detector, and a spectral separation device configured and arranged to receive scattered light from an object and to direct at least a portion of the scattered light onto the two-dimensional detector. The method and apparatus can combine confocal microscopy techniques with light scattering spectroscopy techniques to create a confocal light scattering spectroscopy (CLSS) system.

Method and apparatus for detecting microscopic objects

Light is collected from a sample that is to be imaged, such as tissue or the like, and made to undergo self-interference, e.g., on a detector. An imaging system may include a low coherence light source arranged for illuminating the sample, and an interferometer arranged to receive the light collected from the sample and to pass it to a detector. The interferometer includes a beam divider that directs the radiation collected from the sample along two paths, phase-delaying one beam relative to another and then recombining the beams on a detector. A processor may be coordinated with the phase delay and in some embodiments with spatial scanning or detector array addresses, and operates on the signal from the detector to form a tomographic image of the sample illuminated tissue. By constructing an image based upon interference the interferometric signal from of the split and then recombined radiation collected from the sample signal, rather than interference of a source reference and a return signal, the invention is able to image with light naturally emitted by the sample, or with wavelength-shifted, delayed or induced light signals of different types, allowing new modalities of diagnostic and other imaging of the sample and its structure. A processor generates one or more images of the structure being viewed, and may create images in registry from different (for example, close but separable) wavelengths. Some systems may operate without an illumination source or may apply other stimuli to evoke emission from the sample.

Self-interfering tomography system

Diffraction grating based fiber optic interferometric systems for use in optical coherence tomography, wherein sample and reference light beams are formed by a first beam splitter and the sample light beam received from a sample and a reference light beam are combined on a second beam splitter. In one embodiment, the first beam splitter is an approximately 50/50 beam splitter, and the second beam splitter is a non 50/50 beam splitter. More than half of the energy of the sample light beam is directed into the combined beam and less than half of the energy of the reference light beam are directed into the combined beam by the second beam splitter. In another embodiment, the first beam splitter is a non 50/50 beam splitter and the second beam splitter is an approximately 50/50 beam splitter. An optical circulator is provided to enable the sample light beam to bypass the first beam splitter after interaction with a sample. Two combined beams are formed by the second beam splitter for detection by two respective detectors. More than half of the energy of the light source provided to the first beam splitter is directed into the sample light beam and less than half of the energy is directed into the reference light beam. The energy distribution between the sample and reference light beams can be controlled by selection of the characteristics of the beam splitters.

Diffraction grating based interferometric systems and methods

Light from a tissue sample undergoes self-interference on a detector. A low coherence light source may illuminate the sample, and an interferometer receives light from the sample, divides and directs the received light along two paths, phase-delaying one and recombining the beams on a detector to form a signal. A processor coordinated with the phase delay and optionally with spatial scanning or detector array addresses, converts the signal to a tomographic image. Using self-interfering radiation from the sample, rather than interference of a reference source and a return signal, permits imaging with light naturally emitted by the sample, or with wavelength-shifted, delayed or induced light signals, allowing new diagnostic imaging modalities. The processor may create images in registry from different (for example, close but separable) wavelengths. Systems may also operate without an illumination source or may apply other stimuli to evoke emission from the sample.

A method and a system is provided for discriminating between healthy cervical tissue and pathologic cervical tissue based on the fluorescence response of the tissue to laser excitation (LIF) and the backscatter response to illumination by white light (in the spectral range of 360 to 750 nm). Combining LIF and white light responses, as well as evaluating a spatial correlation between proximate cervical tissue sites in conjunction with a statistically significant 'distance' algorithm, such as the Mahalanobis distance between data sets, can improve the discrimination between normal and abnormal tissue. The results may be displayed in the form of a map of the cervix representing the suspected pathology.

Optical methods and systems for rapid screening of the cervix

The present invention recognizes that optical probes function both as medical access devices and as instruments which collect complex optical data. The invention provides an optical probe accessory device which can access luminal spaces within the body of a patient without sacrificing the quality of optical data obtained. The accessory device further comprises either, singly, or in combination, selectable features or options which optimize light transmission, maximize patient comfort, and provide single-use capabilities.

Optical probe accessory device for use in vivo diagnostic procedures

An imaging system comprises an interferometer and an ultrasound console that processes signals from the interferometer into an image for display. The interferometer may include one or more multi-element photo detectors with a plurality of parallel outputs. A parallel to serial converter is provided between the parallel output of the interferometer and the input of the ultrasound console, to convert the signals provided on the parallel outputs into a serial signal for analysis by the ultrasound console. The interferometer may be selectively coupled to the ultrasound console and the system may further comprise an ultrasound device that may also be selectively coupled to the console, offering a user the option of using either the interferometer or the ultrasound device. The ultrasound console may also include two inputs, one for the interferometer and the other for the ultrasound device. The interferometer and the ultrasound device may both be carried by catheters for insertion into internal body cavities, such as blood vessels. Imaging methods are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for processing signals from an interferometer by an ultrasound console

Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a characteristic of a sample of a material by the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with the sample. The apparatus includes an optical assembly and a protective barrier. The optical assembly sequentially illuminates a plurality of volume elements in the sample with an intensity distribution in the sample that drops off substantially monotonically from a first region in a first optical path and collects electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of the volume elements. The optical assembly collects the electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of the volume elements with a collected distribution that drops off substantially monotonically from a second region in a second optical path. The first and second regions at least partially overlap in each of the volume elements. The optical assembly can be configured as a probe, to be directed to the evaluation of a sample of a biological material. A protective barrier can be disposed between the optical assembly and a body tissue, to prevent contamination of the optical assembly by said body tissue.

Spectral volume microprobe arrays

The present invention relates to systems and methods for examining a sample using a substantially monostatic, substantially confocal optical system comprising transmitting optics that focus an illuminating light upon the sample and receiving optics that collect light emitted from the sample following illumination thereof. In certain embodiments, the receiving optics may be arranged circumferentially around the light path traversed by the illuminating light. In certain embodiments, video apparatus may be included to produce images or to align the system in proximity to the target tissue. The systems and methods of the present invention may be directed towards the examination of a body tissue to provide a medical diagnosis.

Substantially monostatic, substantially confocal optical systems for examination of samples

A method and a system is provided for discriminating between healthy cervical tissue and pathologic cervical tissue based on the fluorescence response of the tissue to laser excitation (LIF) and the backscatter response to illumination by white light (in the spectral range of 360 to 750 nm). Combining LIF and white light responses, as well as evaluating a spatial correlation between proximate cervical tissue sites in conjunction with a statistically significant &ldquo;distance&rdquo; algorithm, such as the Mahalanobis distance between data sets, can improve the discrimination between normal and abnormal tissue. The results may be displayed in the form of a map of the cervix representing the suspected pathology.

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Brookline, MA, United States of America

Mark D Modell