Optical Tomography System Using Short-Pulse Laser for Early Cancer Diagnostics

Abstract

A method of performing a diagnostic procedure for early cancer detection includes using an ultra-short pulsed laser and measuring time-resolved optical signals to provide information about localization and characterization of tissue inhomogeneities.

1 . A method of performing a diagnostic procedure for early cancer detection, comprising:
 using an ultra-short pulsed laser; and   measuring time-resolved optical signals to provide information about localization and characterization of tissue inhomogeneities.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting slight variations of scattering and absorption coefficients between normal tissue and cancerous tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising interpreting predetermined variations as indicating the presence of early-stage cancer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the actions taken are minimally invasive and do not require sample excision and processing. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the early-stage cancer indication includes that of a tumor with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including providing real-time information. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using near-infrared optical imaging such that there is no risk of radiation exposure to a patient or a clinician. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument used is compact and portable. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , performed on at least one of optically thick and optically thin tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using fiber-optic delivery of the laser beam using multiple excitation and collection channels to yield high sensitivity for tumor/cancer detection. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using a fiber-optic delivery system mounted on a 3-axis high-speed computerized translation stage to allow for rapid scanning over large area. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , used to detect mammary tumors in a live anaesthetized mouse model.