Patent ID: 6167297
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: A61B,B82Y,G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of externally or internally measuring a target site within a living subject, comprising:(a) administering to the subject an optical contrast agent selected so as to provide measurable contrast for said target site in vivo;(b) waiting until said contrast agent has achieved sufficient distribution and localization within the body;(c) providing a medical device or instrument optically coupled to a light source, a light detector, or both, and using said device or instrument during a medical or surgical procedure upon the subject;(d) illuminating the subject with light from the light source, said light source selected such that the contrast agent in vivo may interact with and modify the illuminating light;(e) detecting modified illuminating light after passage through an opaque region of the body using the light detector;(f) determining a measurable parameter of the target site using the detected light based upon a function of the distribution and localization of said contrast agent; and,(g) generating an output signal in response to said determination.