Fluorescence biopsy specimen imager and methods

摘要

Biopsy imaging devices with an imaging stage configured to rotate and tilt a biological sample, as well as a method for using it, are described. The stage can use rotating bearings or extendible, telescoping arms. The device has a white light for taking normal pictures and a near-infrared laser light for causing a fluorescence-biomolecule probed sample to fluoresce for fluorescence images in a light-tight housing. A set of both types of pictures are taken from angles around, above, and below the biopsy sample with one or more cameras to generate a 3-D model in a computer of the biopsy with fluorescence markings. The 3-D model can then be rendered and viewed on a display by a surgeon to determine if sufficient margins were removed from the patient.

主权项

1. An apparatus for imaging a biological sample with fluorescence, the apparatus comprising:
an imaging stage having a transparent portion for holding at least a portion of a biological sample within an imaging volume; a first rotary bearing having a first rotational axis configured to project through the imaging volume; a leg extending between the stage and the first rotary bearing, the leg offsetting the stage from the first rotary bearing; a second rotary bearing having a second rotational axis configured to project through the imaging volume, the second rotational axis being orthogonal to the first rotational axis; an armature extending between the first and second rotary bearings; a visible light source configured to illuminate the imaging volume; a fluorescence excitation light source configured to illuminate the imaging volume; and a camera configured to have a depth of focus within the imaging volume.