Patent ID: 6289236
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for distinguishing cancerous tissue from inflamed tissue in a patient, the method comprising:(a) exposing a target tissue suspected of containing inflamed or cancerous tissue to incident radiation having a wavelength between 325 and 350 nm;(b) detecting autofluorescence emitted at a first wavelength between 370 and 400 nm and at a second wavelength between 440 and 470 nm after irradiation of the target tissue with the incident radiation; and(c) comparing the intensity of the autofluorescence emitted at the first wavelength with the intensity of the autofluorescence emitted at the second wavelength, wherein a decrease in autofluorescence intensity at the first wavelength compared to autofluorescence intensity emitted at the second wavelength indicates cancerous cells within the target tissue.