Patent ID: 6405074
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of detecting cells which are cancerous, pre-cancerous or dysplastic, the method comprising exposing cells suspected of being cancerous, pre-cancerous or dysplastic to one ultraviolet light beam limited to wavelengths of about 280-300 nm, measuring one intensity of autofluorescence emission from the cells wherein said measuring one intensity of autofluorescence emission includes measuring autofluorescence emission at a wavelength in the range of about 320-340 nm and determining whether the cells are cancerous, pre-cancerous or dysplastic, wherein said determining consists of concluding that the cells are cancerous, pre-cancerous or dysplastic if said one intensity of autofluorescence emission is greater than that of cells which are not cancerous, pre-cancerous, or dysplastic.