SEPTIC BARRIERS AND OTHER AIDS FOR AUTOFLUORESCENCE VISUALIZATION AND OTHER OPTICAL INTERROGATION

摘要

Septic barriers interposed between a target tissue such as an oral or vaginal cavity, exposed epidermis, or wound or surgical site, and a user and his/her optical interrogation instruments to reduce cross-infection and/or contamination. In certain embodiments, the septic barrier is substantially transparent for viewing purposes and is typically effectively non-fluorescent, particularly when used for investigating autofluorescence or other fluorescence emanating from a target, so as to have little or no effect on the measurements and observations being made. The sepsis barrier can comprises a window through which the user sees the tissue, a frame holding the window, and an attachment structure, such as threads or bayonet attachment, configured to connect the barrier to the instrument. If desired, the system can also have an optional attachment mechanism for permanent or temporary connection of a further instrument to the frame, such as a tissue retractor configured to aid manipulation of the target tissue.