Patent ID: 9220403
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for detecting an amyloid protein in an eye of a mammal, the device comprising: a light source oriented to illuminate the eye, the light source emitting light with at least one of a wavelength, a polarization or a combination thereof, each appropriate to produce fluorescence in at least an amyloid-binding compound when the amyloid-binding compound is bound to the amyloid protein, the amyloid-binding compound having been introduced to the eye and specifically binding to the amyloid protein indicative of the amyloidogenic disorder; and an optical unit comprising a photodetector unit to detect fluorescence emitted from the eye as a result of the illumination of the eye and a time correlation single photon count module that receives electrical signals from the photodetector unit indicative of photon counts of fluoresced light from the eye, and that determines a time decay rate of fluorescence for at least the fluorescence produced by the amyloid-binding compound bound to the amyloid protein, the determining permitting distinguishing of the presence of the amyloid-binding compound bound to the amyloid protein in the eye based at least on the time decay rate.