Patent ID: 7778693
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for assessing tissue function in a subject human or animal, comprising: obtaining simultaneously a time series of optical tomography data from a first tissue site and a second tissue site of the subject human or animal, the first tissue site and the second tissue site being located at different areas of the subject human or animal, wherein the time series of optical tomography data from the first tissue site and the second tissue site identify temporal variations in at least one hemoglobin signal by illuminating a radiation at a wavelength at which hemoglobin is a principal absorbing species in the first and second tissues; comparing the time series of optical tomography data from the first tissue site to the time series of corresponding optical tomography data from the second tissue site; deriving a first time series of optical tomography images from the time series of optical tomography data from the first tissue site; deriving a second time series of optical tomography images from the time series of optical tomography data from the second tissue site; assessing differential responses or coordinated responses from the first tissue site and the second tissue site by determining a functional property of a vasculature through examination of said temporal variations in said at least one hemoglobin signal; and generating a real-time 3D image based on said determining of said functional property of said vasculature, wherein image contrast is provided by employing said temporal variations in said at least one hemoglobin signal.