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:
Nov. 27, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 27, 2005
Amir H. Gandjbakhche, Potomac, MD (US);
David W. Hattery, Washington, DC (US);
Jim Mulshine, Bethesda, MD (US);
Paul Smith, Annapolis, MD (US);
Victor Chernomordik, Rockville, MD (US);
Edward Wellner, Fairfax, VA (US);
Amir H. Gandjbakhche, Potomac, MD (US);
David W. Hattery, Washington, DC (US);
Jim Mulshine, Bethesda, MD (US);
Paul Smith, Annapolis, MD (US);
Victor Chernomordik, Rockville, MD (US);
Edward Wellner, Fairfax, VA (US);
Abstract
The invention provides a device and method for monitoring inflammation of the epithelium. The device consists of a head region, a handle region and an optical bundle. At least two of the optical fibers in the bundle are utilized as a source of radiation, these two fibers are at two different angles from normal. At least one of the other optical fibers is utilized as a detector for the reflected radiation, or alternatively an image guide can be used as the detector. The device of the invention can be part of an external or internal system that can include a light source, the device, a multiplexer, a spectrometer, and a computer for data analysis. The method of the invention allows for the detection and monitoring of general inflammation of the oral epithelium. The inflammation of the epithelium can be detected or monitored to diagnose diseases of the oral epithelium, monitor such diseases, monitor treatment of such diseases, or pre-screen for and monitor preventative treatments of such diseases.