Patent ID: 7043287
Filing Date: 2006-05-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of measuring at least one optical parameter of intact human tissue, wherein said at least one optical parameter is selected from the group consisting of absorption coefficient, scattering coefficient, mean free path, effective attenuation coefficient, and light penetration depth, said method comprising the steps of: (a) setting the temperature of said intact human tissue to a first temperature and allowing said intact human tissue to equilibrate at said first temperature before optical data are collected at said first temperature, said first temperature being within the range of from about 0° C. to about 45° C.; (b) performing an optical measurement on said intact human tissue at said first temperature, wherein said optical measurement is a spatially resolved diffuse reflectance measurement; (c) determining at least one optical parameter of said intact human tissue from said spatially resolved diffuse reflectance measurement at said first temperature, wherein said at least one optical parameter is selected from the group consisting of absorption coefficient, scattering coefficient, mean free path, effective attenuation coefficient, and light penetration depth, said first temperature corresponding to a first depth in said intact human tissue; (d) changing said first temperature of said intact human tissue to at least a second temperature and allowing said intact human tissue to equilibrate at at least said second temperature before optical data are collected at said at least said second temperature, said at least second temperature being within the range of from about 0° C. to about 45° C.; (e) performing said an optical measurement on said intact human tissue at said at least second temperature, wherein said optical measurement is a spatially resolved diffuse reflectance measurement; (f) determining said at least one optical parameter of said intact human tissue from said spatially resolved diffuse reflectance measurement at at least a second temperature, wherein said at least one optical parameter is selected from the group consisting of absorption coefficient, scattering coefficient, mean free path, effective attenuation coefficient, and light penetration depth, said at least second temperature corresponding to a second depth in said intact human tissue; and (g) determining said at least one parameter of said intact human tissue from the functional relationship of said at least one optical parameter on depth in said intact human tissue, wherein said optical measurements in step (b) and step (e) are carried out by transmitting light into a region of said intact human tissue at a light introduction site and collecting light re-emitted from said region of intact human tissue at a light collection site, wherein the distance between any light introduction site and any light collection site is less than three millimeters.