Patent ID: 8068898
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: A61B,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for measuring spectral and temporal fluorescence properties of tissue and cells in vivo comprising: (a) a primary excitation light source which is directed to a tissue or cell sample, (b) an optical fiber probe which delivers light to the tissue or cell sample and collects resulting fluorescent emissions from said tissue or cell sample wherein said primary excitation light source is directed through the optical fiber probe to the tissue or cell sample; (c) a means of directing the returning fluorescent emissions from the tissue or cell sample to spectral and temporal detection schemes; (d) a spectrometer coupled ICCD which detects fluorescent emissions output from the tissue or cell sample and derives therefrom spectral fluorescence properties of the tissue or cell sample; (e) an avalanche photodiode to detect temporal fluorescent emissions output from the tissue or cell sample; and (f) an oscilloscope for transiently digitizing a signal from the avalanche photodiode and deriving temporal fluorescence properties of the tissue or cell sample from the signal, said oscilloscope being connected to the avalanche photodiode.