British Columbia Cancer Agency Branch

Xillix Technologies Corporation

Other

Perceptronix Medical, Inc.

Boston University

Accumed International, Inc.

Stephen C-t Lam

Branko Mihael Palcic

Haishan Zeng

Bruno W Jaggi

Calum Macaulay

Calum E MacAulay

Avrum Spira

Katrina Steiling

Marc Lenberg

Amedeus E Profio

David M Garner

Pierre Lane

Nicholas B MacKinnon

S Alan Harrison

Don D Sin

Anthony Lee

Branko Michael Palcic

Peter William Payne

Hamid Pahlevaninezhad

John Yee

Michael Kuzyk

Carl Martin Tammemagi

Marianne Dorthy Sadar

Alexei Doudkine

Jaclyn Hung

Jaclyn Y-c Hung

A novel set of 98 genes expressed in the respiratory tract epithelium that serve as biomarkers for measuring chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) activity are provided. Methods of classifying the (COPD) status of a subject are provided. Systems for expression-based classification of COPD disease status are provided. Methods of treating COPD are also provided, among other things.

Methods and systems for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A fiber-based polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) system uses a new polarization diversity detection (PDD) scheme and requires no active polarization modulating components. Retardation of the sample can be determined from amplitudes of arbitrarily-oriented x- and y-components of the reflected light. A hybrid custom 50/50 coupler with single-mode fiber inputs and polarization maintaining (PM) fiber outputs combines light from sample and reference arms of an interferometer. Another embodiment provides a system adapted to provide co-registered autofluorescence-optical coherence tomography (AF-OCT) imaging. AF excitation light is introduced and collected AF light is extracted at a fiber optic rotary joint (FORJ) equipped with an embedded dichroic mirror. A probe tip that uses a clad fiber to supply light to a focusing element provides enhanced OCT and AF performance.

Systems for optical imaging of biological tissues

A method is described for detecting lung cancer comprising detecting an elevated level of a CTAP III-related biomarker in a biological sample from a subject at risk for developing lung cancer. Further, a method is described for predicting risk of developing lung cancer in a subject comprising detecting an elevated level of a CTAP III-related biomarker in a biological sample from a subject. Additionally, a method of monitoring the success of lung cancer treatment is described comprising detecting levels of a CTAP III-related biomarker in a biological sample from a subject undergoing treatment for lung cancer for comparison with a previous level obtained from the subject. Multivariate analysis may be incorporated into these methods, evaluating such clinical, or demographic risk factors as age, sex, smoking history, smoking status, smoking family history, education level, COPD, socio-economic status, body mass index and lung function. Kits for conducting such methods are described.

Methods for detecting lung cancer and monitoring treatment response

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

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 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.

Apparatus for acquiring in vivo images of a site of interest within the internal organs of a body. The apparatus includes an elongate, flexible catheter. The catheter is introducible into the body and has a first end that remains external to the body and a second and positionable adjacent the site of interest. A movable scanning unit having at least one sensor for acquiring images is housed adjacent the second end of the catheter. There is a drive mechanism to control movement of the movable scanning unit from the first external end of the catheter to acquire multiple images of the site of interest. The drive mechanism has a control element extending the length of the catheter lumen adapted for linear movement within the lumen to generate linear or rotational movement of the scanning unit.

Apparatus for in vivo imaging of the respiratory tract and other internal organs

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

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

Apparatus for imaging diseases in tissue comprising a light source for generating excitation light that includes wavelengths capable of generating characteristic autofluorescence for abnormal and normal tissue. A fiber-optic illuminating light guide is used to illuminate tissue with light that includes at least the excitation light thereby exciting the tissue to emit the characteristic autofluorescence. An imaging bundle collects emitted autofluorescence light from the tissue. The autofluorescence light is filtered into spectral bands in which the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially different from normal tissue and the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially similar to normal tissue. An optical system is used to intercept the filtered autofluorescence light to acquire at least two filtered emitted autofluorescence images of the tissue. The acquired images are displayed in real time on a display monitor in such a manner as to delineate abnormal and normal tissue.

Endoscopic imaging system for diseased tissue

Apparatus and method for imaging diseased tissue using integrated

Apparatus for imaging diseases in tissue comprising a light source for generating excitation light that includes wavelengths capable of generating characteristic autofluorescence for abnormal and normal tissue. A fibreoptic illuminating light guide is used to illuminate tissue with light that includes at least the excitation light thereby exciting the tissue to emit the characteristic autofluorescence. An imaging bundle collects emitted autofluorescence light from the tissue. The autofluorescence light is filtered into spectral bands in which the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially different from normal tissue and the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially similar to normal tissue. An optical system is used to intercept the filtered autofluorescence light to acquire at least two filtered emitted autofluorescence images of the tissue. The acquired images are displayed in real time on a display monitor in such a manner as to delineate abnormal and normal tissue.

Growing community of inventors

Vancouver, Canada

Stephen C-t Lam