Patent ID: 8583217
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An in vivo drug concentration distribution measuring method comprising: administering a marker having an imaging function and a drug to a living body; casting light to the living body as a measuring target; when the light is cast to the marker from outside of the living body, detecting intensity of light of a predetermined wavelength range emitted from plural positions on the measuring target using a photodetector, of the light emitted to outside of the living body from the marker, and repeating the detection of the intensity a plurality of times using the photodetector while changing the predetermined wavelength range with a variable-wavelength filter that is operable to scan an entire wavelength range of the light emitted to outside of the living body from the marker, thereby acquiring intensity distribution of the light emitted from the plural positions on the measuring target; and calculating a concentration of the drug administered with the marker in accordance with the intensity distribution of the light at the plural positions on the measuring target, wherein the variable-wavelength filter has a plurality of liquid crystal cells, each cell including a pair of polarizers, a liquid crystal layer inserted between the pair of polarizers, and an electrode which applies a voltage to the liquid crystal layer.