System and Method for Identifying Tissue Using Low-Coherence Interferometry

Abstract

An apparatus for needle biopsy with real time tissue differentiation using one dimensional interferometric ranging imaging, comprising a biopsy device having a barrel and a needle, an optical fiber inserted in the needle, and a fiber optic imaging system connected to the optical fiber. The imaging system obtains images and compares the optical properties and patterns to a database of normalized tissue sample images to determine different tissue types. The physician performing the biopsy obtains feedback via a feedback unit associated with the biopsy device and which is connected to the imaging system. The feedback unit can provide visual, audible or vibratory feedback as to tissue type encountered when the needle is inserted toward the target tissue. The feedback unit can be programmed for different biopsy procedures so that the user can actuate a button to select a display or other feedback mechanism for the desired procedure and anticipated tissue to be encountered.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . An apparatus for identifying characteristics of tissue, comprising:
 a radiation source configured to deliver radiation to the tissue; and   an imaging system configured to receive the radiation and process unidimensional data relating to the radiation to identify characteristics of the tissue.   
     
     
         41 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , wherein the data is based on at least one of a spectral domain low-coherence interferometry and an optical frequency domain reflectrometry. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , wherein at least one of (i) the radiation source is a swept wavelength optical source or (ii) the radiation source is a broad bandwidth light source and the imaging system includes a spectrometer. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , wherein the imaging system processes the radiation by performing at least one of standard deviation, average deviation, and slope of the axial reflectivity profile relating to the axial scan radiation 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus according to  claim 40 , wherein the imaging system includes an interferometer adapted to direct a portion of the radiation emitted by the radiation source into a sample arm and detecting radiation reflected from the tissue back through the sample arm, and wherein the imaging system identifies characteristics of the tissue by processing the radiation to provide the characteristics of the tissue, the radiation including radiation received from a reference arm and radiation received from the sample arm, and comparing the characteristics of the tissue with a database of normalized characteristics of a plurality of tissue types. 
     
     
         45 . A non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium storing a software program for identifying characteristics of tissue, wherein the software program, when executed by a processing arrangement, is configured to cause the processing arrangement to execute the procedures comprising of:
 causing a performance of an axial scan of the tissue using radiation using a radiation source; and   processing unidimensional data relating to the scan radiation to identify characteristics of the tissue.   
     
     
         46 . The computer-accessible storage medium arrangement according to  claim 45 , wherein the unidimensional data is based on at least one of a spectral domain low-coherence interferometry and an optical frequency domain reflectrometry. 
     
     
         47 . The computer-accessible storage medium according to  claim 45 , wherein the scan is performed by a radiation source and at least one of (i) the radiation source is a swept wavelength optical source or (ii) the radiation source is a broad bandwidth light source and the processing arrangement is part of an imaging system which includes a spectrometer. 
     
     
         48 . The computer-accessible storage medium according to  claim 45 , wherein the data is processed by performing at least one of standard deviation, average deviation, and slope of the axial reflectivity profile relating to the axial scan radiation 
     
     
         49 . The computer-accessible storage medium according to  claim 45 , wherein the processing arrangement is provided in a imaging system which includes an interferometer configured to direct a portion of the radiation emitted by the radiation source into a sample arm and detecting radiation reflected from the tissue back through the sample arm, and wherein the imaging system identifies characteristics of the tissue by processing the radiation to provide the characteristics of the tissue, the radiation including radiation received from a reference arm and radiation received from the sample arm, and comparing the characteristics of the tissue with a database of normalized characteristics of a plurality of tissue types. 
     
     
         50 . A non-transitory software arrangement for identifying characteristics of tissue, which, when executed by a processing arrangement, configures the processing arrangement to perform procedures comprising:
 causing a performance of a scan of the tissue using radiation using a radiation source; and   processing unidimensional data relating to the scan radiation to identify characteristics of the tissue.   
     
     
         51 . The software arrangement according to  claim 50 , wherein the unidimensional data is based on at least one of a spectral domain low-coherence interferometry and an optical frequency domain reflectrometry. 
     
     
         52 . The software arrangement according to  claim 50 , wherein the scan is performed by a radiation source and at least one of (i) the radiation source is a swept wavelength optical source or (ii) the radiation source is a broad bandwidth light source and the processing arrangement is part of an imaging system which includes a spectrometer. 
     
     
         53 . The software arrangement according to  claim 50 , wherein the data is processed by performing at least one of standard deviation, average deviation, and slope of the axial reflectivity profile relating to the axial scan radiation 
     
     
         54 . The software arrangement according to  claim 50 , wherein the processing arrangement is provided in a imaging system which includes an interferometer configured to direct a portion of the radiation emitted by the radiation source into a sample arm and detecting radiation reflected from the tissue back through the sample arm, and wherein the imaging system identifies characteristics of the tissue by processing the radiation to provide the characteristics of the tissue, the radiation including radiation received from a reference arm and radiation received from the sample arm, and comparing the characteristics of the tissue with a database of normalized characteristics of a plurality of tissue types.