Patent ID: 8178342

Claim:
A system for performing in vivo cytometry in a live subject, comprising: a source for generating radiation having one or more wavelength components configured to excite selected fluorescent probe molecules capable of binding to circulating cells of a selected type of said subject upon introduction into the subject's circulatory system; an optical system for imaging radiation received from said source onto a focal plane in which a portion of a vessel of said subject is positioned so as to be illuminated by said imaged radiation, said illuminating radiation exciting one or more of said fluorescent probe molecules which are bound to said circulating cells flowing through said vessel portion; a detector configured to confocally detect fluorescence radiation emitted by said excited fluorescent probe molecules which are bound to said circulating cells flowing through said vessel portion, and an analysis module coupled to said detector configured to analyze said fluorescence radiation so as to obtain information for quantification of said circulating cells.