Optical functional mamoscope
AssigneeDynamics Imaging, Inc.
InventorEduard E. Godik
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Abstract
The invention belongs to the field of medicine and biology, and more specifically, the invention encompasses an apparatus for performing functional imaging of biological objects. It can be used to distinguish between normal and pathological states in women's mammary glands. The aim of this invention is to increase the reliability of detection of peculiarities in the patient's physiological status, including detection of cancer. Visualization and early diagnosis of different mammary gland pathologies are achieved by recording dynamic images of both mammary glands while illuminating alternatively from opposite sides. The data thus obtained is subsequently combined and processed.
Claims12
An optical mammoscope for simultaneously examining a pair of mammary glands, comprising:
- means for positioning said pair of mammary glands for examination, said positioning means including two sets of holders, each movable with respect to the other and each of said holders having a pair of adjustable elements having surfaces for supporting a mammary gland therebetween;
- each of said adjustable elements having means operably associated therewith for illuminating the mammary gland with optical radiation and means operably associated therewith for detecting said optical radiation passing through the mammary gland and for providing dynamic images therefrom;
- means for simultaneously providing said illumination to one side of both of the mammary glands and for simultaneously providing said illumination, at a predetermined time thereafter, to the other side of both of the mammary glands;
- and
- means for analyzing said dynamic images of both of the mammary glands and characterizing a distribution of functional inhomogeneities of the mammary glands located on the sides of the mammary glands opposite said means for illuminating said mammary glands.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.