System and Method for Laser Imaging and Ablation of Cancer Cells Using Fluorescence

摘要

A fluorescence imaging device detects fluorescence in parts of the visible and invisible spectrum, and projects the fluorescence image directly on the human body, as well as on a monitor, with improved sensitivity, video frame rate and depth of focus, and enhanced capabilities of detecting distribution and properties of multiple fluorophores. Direct projection of three-dimensional visible representations of florescence on three-dimensional body areas advantageously permits view of it during surgical procedures, including during cancer removal, reconstructive surgery and wound care, etc. A NIR laser and a human visible laser (HVL) are aligned coaxially and scanned over the operating field of view. When the NIR laser passes over the area where the florescent dye is present, it energizes the dye which emits at a shifted NIR frequency detected by a photo diode. The HVL is turned on when emission is detected, providing visual indication of those positions.

主权项

1. A method for three-dimensional imaging of cancer of a target surgical area comprising:
introducing fluorophores having affinity for targeted cancer cells into biologic tissues of the target surgical area; emitting light from a first laser at an infrared wavelength for causing excitation of said fluorophores; scanning said emitted light at said infrared wavelength, using a means for scanning, in a pattern, and across the target surgical area; using a lens for receiving and focusing, onto a means for detecting light, fluorescent excitation light at a second wavelength being emitted by said excited fluorophores; converting into an analog signal, by said means for detecting light, of an image of said fluorophores in said focused second wavelength of light; transmitting said analog signal output from said means for detecting light to a processing unit; selectively emitting light from a second laser at a visible wavelength; co-axially aligning said selectively emitted light of said second laser with said emitted light of said first laser, using a means for aligning, for scanning of said selectively emitted visible light, using said means for scanning, in said pattern across the target surgical, to create a three-dimensional projection on the target surgical area; using, by said processing unit, of said analog signal for causing said selectively emitting of said light at said visible wavelength by said second laser to only occur when directed at a position in said scan corresponding to said received second wavelength of light of said fluorophores.