US 5,735,276 A · Method and apparatus for scanning and evaluating matter

Abstract

A system and method for analyzing matter by computer analysis of electrical signals generated by sensing radiation reflected from matter (i.e. tissue, cells, liquid, gaseous or solid particles in a liquid or gas) and/or generated due to fluorescence. In one embodiment, a short pulse of laser radiation is directed at matter also scanned by an electro-optical scanning means to generate image signals. Fluorescent radiation and reflected radiation generating image signals, generate respective variable electrical signals which are computer processed and analyzed to detect and determine the chemical and/or biological composition of the matter. A television camera scans the matter and generates video signals for computer processing and analysis. Simultaneously or sequentially, pulsed laser energy is directed against plural locations of scanned matter, wherein each of such pulses generates a short duration of fluorescent energy in different select portions of the matter under analysis. Fluorescing light is photoelectrically detected generating variable electrical signals for each portion of fluorescing matter, which signals are computer processed and analyzed along with signals output by the television camera to provide information used to intelligibly indicate: (a) composition of such matter, (b) presence of one or more chemical and/or biological agents in such matter, (c) whether the matter is defective or diseased or, (d) a combination of such indications. The liquid may be any body fluid. Manipulators are provided to move the TV camera, lasers, sensors and treatment lasers and/or surgical instruments.

Claims83

Dependent claims

A method of electro-optically scanning tissue comprising the steps of:

(a) generating a first beam of radiation;
(b) scanning said tissue with said first beam of radiation, whereby said beam moves relative to said tissue, to cause said tissue to fluoresce;
(c) photoelectrically detecting said fluorescence and generating first variable electrical signals at a position to receive both reflected and fluorescent radiation;
(d) digitizing said first variable electrical signals and generating first digital code signals;
(e) spectrally analyzing said first digital code signals with a computer and generating second code signals;
and
(f) employing said second code signals to intelligibly indicate the condition of said tissue.

4 more elements

A method for performing an operation on the body of a living being comprising the steps of:

(a) directing first penetrating radiation against a select portion of a living being, which select portion contains select tissue to be operated on,
(b) after said first radiation has intersected said select tissue and has become modulated with information relating to said select tissue, receiving said radiation with a sensing means and transducing same to electrical signals,
(c) computer processing and analyzing said electrical signals and generating first control signals,
(d) applying said first control signals to control the operation of a power-operated treatment means in a manner to cause said treatment means to perform a first operation on a select portion of said select tissue as determined by the information contained in said first modulated electrical signals, wherein said first operation is operable to effect a first degree of change in said select portion of said select tissue,
(e) thereafter generating and causing an additional amount of said first radiation to penetrate said select tissue and to become modulated in intersecting said select tissue with information defining said select tissue with the change therein effected by said first amount of said treatment radiation,
(f) receiving said additional amount of said first radiation after it is so modulated and transducing same to second electrical signals,
(g) computer processing and analyzing said second electrical signals and generating second control signals,
(h) applying said second control signals to further control the operation of said power operated treatment means to cause it to effect an additional operation on a further select portion of said select tissue.

5 more elements

A method for operating on tissue deep within a body of a living being comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a high energy radiation beam generating means, such as an ion beam generator preferably generating a beam of particles of sufficient intensity to operate on living tissue,
(b) disposing a living being to be operated on at a select location on a support which is supported adjacent to said beam generating means;
(c) operating said radiation beam generating means in a first mode to generate and direct a beam of charged particles at a select location of the body of said living being and to intersect select body surface tissue of said living being at a select angle thereto and penetrate beneath said body surface tissue by traveling therethrough along a select path,
(d) tuning said radiation beam to a first frequency to cause it to release its particle energy at a select first location within the body of said living being in a manner to irradiate and destroy first tissue at said first location.

1 more element

A method of scanning and treating tissue comprising the steps of:

A method of electro-optically scanning tissue comprising the steps of:
(a) generating a first beam of radiation;
(b) scanning said tissue with said first beam of radiation to cause said tissue to fluoresce;
(c) photoelectrically detecting said fluorescence and generating first variable electrical signals;
(d) digitizing said first variable electrical signals and generating first digital code signals;
(e) spectrally analyzing said first digital code signal with a computer and generating second code signals;
and
(f) employing said second code signals to intelligibly indicate the condition of said tissue;
(g) directing first penetrating radiation against a select portion of a living being, which select portion contains select tissue to be operated on,
(h) after said first radiation has intersected said select tissue and has become modulated with information relating to said select tissue, receiving said radiation with a sensing means and transducing same to electrical signals,
(i) computer processing and analyzing said electrical signals and generating first control signals,
(j) applying said first control signals to control the operation of a power-operated treatment means in a manner to cause said treatment means to perform a first operation on a select portion of said select tissue as determined by the information contained in said first modulated electrical signals, wherein said first operation is operable to effect a first degree of change in said select portion of said select tissue,
(k) thereafter generating and causing an additional amount of said first radiation to penetrate said select tissue and to become modulated in intersecting said select tissue with information defining said select tissue with the change therein effected by said first amount of said treatment radiation,
(l) receiving said additional amount of said first radiation after it is so modulated and transducing same to second electrical signals,
(m) computer processing and analyzing said second electrical signals and generating second control signals,
(n) applying said second control signals to further control the operation of said power operated treatment means to cause it to effect an additional operation on a further select portion of said select tissue.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for scanning and evaluating matter

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for scanning and evaluating matter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims83