US 9,168,388 B2 · System, devices, and methods for optically clearing tissue

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods for non-invasively modifying, maintaining, or controlling local tissue optical properties. Methods and devices of the disclosure may be used for optically clearing tissue, for example, for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. A method of optically clearing a tissue may comprise contacting the tissue with an optical clearing device having a base, an array of pins fixed to one side of the base, a brim fixed to the base, an inlet port in the base, an exit port in the base, and a handpiece interface tab fixed to the side of the base opposite the array of pins, applying a mechanical force to the tissue, and illuminating said tissue with at least one wavelength of light through the optical clearing device. A method may further comprise controlling the temperature of the tissue illuminated.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An optical clearing device for tissue comprising:

a mechanical transducer adapted for contacting tissue and operable for applying a mechanical force to a region of tissue;
a tissue position and hold component operable to maintain the mechanical force applied to the region of tissue and create at least one indentation of at least 0.1 mm in depth in the tissue;
a feedback system comprising a control unit operably coupled with the tissue position and hold component and at least one sensor that provides a feedback signal to the control unit signaling tissue thickness that is altered to at least 0.1 mm in depth beneath the at least one indentation relative to the tissue surrounding the at least one indentation;
and in response to the feedback signal the control unit signals the tissue position and hold component that the at least one indentation persists in the tissue for at least 10 seconds after the mechanical transducer is removed from the tissue;
and
a radiant source configured to illuminate at least a portion of the optical clearing device with at least one wavelength of light.

3 more elements

A system for treating a tissue comprising an optical clearing device comprising a substantially planar base, an array of pins, a brim, an inlet port, and an exit, wherein the base comprises at least two opposing sides, the array of pins is fixed to one side of the base, the brim is fixed to the same side of the base as the array of pins, the inlet port is in the base and is in fluid communication with both sides of the base, the exit port is in the base and is in fluid communication with both sides of the base

a radiant source configured to illuminate at least a portion of the optical clearing device with at least one wavelength of light;
a radiant filter in optical communication with the radiant source and the optical clearing device;
and
a vacuum device in fluid communication with the inlet port of the optical clearing device and configured to draw a sufficient vacuum to create at least one indentation in the tissue by a radiant energy feedback mechanism comprising a control unit operably coupled to the vacuum device and at least one sensor element that provides a feedback signal to the control unit signaling tissue thickness that is altered to at least 0.1 mm in depth beneath the at least one indentation relative to the tissue surrounding the at least one indentation;
and in response to the feedback signal to the control unit stops the vacuum device such that the at least one indentation persists in the tissue for at least 10 seconds after the array of pins are removed from the tissue.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System, devices, and methods for optically clearing tissue

Life of this patent

System, devices, and methods for optically clearing tissue

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19