METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THE REJECTION OF TRANSPLANTED TISSUE

摘要

Methods and apparatus for detecting the possible rejection of a transplanted tissue by a host. The transplanted tissue is subjected to illumination with light to induce fluorescence. The light can be ultraviolet light, visible light or infrared light, which can be used alone or in any combination, which means one, two or three forms of light may be used together. The induced fluorescence is collected and analyzed, then compared with fluorescence that is obtained using the same procedure for a known, healthy tissue that is the same type of tissue as the transplanted tissue. Also provided are methods and apparatus related to the determination of probe orientation and the need for biopsy.