Patent ID: 6031232
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
A method for the identification of a malignant or premalignant condition in an exfoliated cervical cell sample, said method comprising:(a) drying said exfoliated cervical cell sample on an infrared transparent matrix to produce a dried cell sample;(b) directing a beam of mid-infrared light at said dried cell sample, said beam of mid-infrared light having a frequency of from about 3000 to about 950 cm.sup.-1 to produce absorption data for said dried cell sample; and(c) comparing said absorption data for said dried cell sample with a calibration/reference set of infrared absorption data to determine whether variation in infrared absorption occurs in said dried cell sample, at at least one range of frequencies, due to the said variation being characteristic of said malignant or premalignant condition, said comparing utilizing a partial least squares or principal component analysis statistical method and said absorption data being underivatized and unsmoothed, whereby said identification of said malignant or premalignant condition is made.