The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 31, 2006
Filed:
Sep. 07, 2001
Michael Samoszuk, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (US);
Froilan Espinoza, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Leonard Leonor, Dana Point, CA (US);
Michael Samoszuk, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (US);
Froilan Espinoza, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Leonard Leonor, Dana Point, CA (US);
Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides methods of determining the microvascular density of tumors. The methods generally comprise creating a digital image of a defined cross section of the tumor, determining the cross-sectional surface area of vascular tissue in the section of the tumor, determining the total cross sectional area of the section of the tumor, calculating the ratio of the cross sectional surface area of the tumor to the total cross sectional area of the section of the tumor, and thereby determining the microvascular density of the tumor. The digital image of the tumor may preferably be created using image processing software and the image may be displayed on a computer screen. The image may be digitally dissected by removing from the image all non-vascular tissue. This approach produces reproducible results that match the results generated by functional MRI assessments of blood perfusion of the tumors.