초록 ▼

A device and method for the detection of tumors in human and animal tissue using transmission or reflection of nonionizing radiation, in particular, visible light having a wavelength most advantageously in the range of 400 to about 700 nanometers, and infrared light having a wavelength in the range

A device and method for the detection of tumors in human and animal tissue using transmission or reflection of nonionizing radiation, in particular, visible light having a wavelength most advantageously in the range of 400 to about 700 nanometers, and infrared light having a wavelength in the range of 700 nanometers to about 4 microns (4000 nanometers). Measurement of the amount of absorption and scatter in regions of the tissue involved is in a scanning mode to produce a shadowgraph image using either single wavelength grey scale or preferably multispectral multiple wavelength false color imaging techniques. The apparatus and method also advantageously can be used in conjunction with computer image reconstruction similar to that employed in computerized axial tomography of the type used in X-ray diagnostic techniques. In one of its more advantageous aspects, the apparatus and method are used to differentiate between benign and malignant human breast tumors.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of detecting the presence of tumors and distinguishing cancerous from non-cancerous tumors in situ within the body of a human being or animal, said method comprising the steps of scanning a test region in said body by individually applying at discrete locations on the skin surface of said b

A method of detecting the presence of tumors and distinguishing cancerous from non-cancerous tumors in situ within the body of a human being or animal, said method comprising the steps of scanning a test region in said body by individually applying at discrete locations on the skin surface of said body opposite the test region in said body where a tumor may be located a visible or infrared beam of radiation having a tumor-distinguishing wavelength which is absorbed or scattered to a greater degree by a cancerous tumor relative to a non-cancerous tumor and by surrounding normal healthy tissue and which is absorbed or scattered to a lesser degree relative to a non-cancerous tumor than by normal healthy tissue and cancerous tumors, and detecting and measuring the magnitude of the radiation emanating from the skin surface of the body at a discrete point of the skin surface no greater than 2 mm thereacross on the opposite side of the test region where the radiation is expected to emanate for each individual application of radiation as the radiation being directed into the skin surface irradiates said region of the body where a tumor may be located and determining from said detecting and measuring if any tumors are present and if present distinguishing cancerous from non-cancerous tumors.