Patent ID: 6080584
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of detecting breast cancer or a precancerous breast condition in a patient, said method comprising the steps of:(a) obtaining a sample of breast cells from the patient;(b) preparing a breast cell smear with said sample of breast cells; and(c) using native fluorescence spectroscopy to detect the presence of cancerous or precancerous breast cells in said breast cell smear;(d) said native fluorescence spectroscopy using step comprising(i) illuminating at least a portion of the breast cell smear with light of a first wavelength, whereby native fluorescence is emitted therefrom,(ii) measuring the intensity of native fluorescence emitted from the illuminated area at a second wavelength and at a third wavelength as a function of location within the illuminated area, said first, second and third wavelengths being such that the difference of fluorescence intensities at said second and third wavelengths is indicative of a carcinomatous condition,(iii) determining the difference of intensities measured at said second and third wavelengths to obtain a value for each location within the illuminated area; and(iv) generating a map of breast cells present within the illuminated area using said values wherein said map indicates the carcinomatous condition of each breast cell therein.