Diagnostic system for the detection of skin cancer
Inventors
Shachaf, Catherine M. • SHACHAF, Amit
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10531824-B2
Publication Date
2020-01-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and compositions are provided for the analysis of skin surfaces to determine the presence of neoplastic tissue. In the methods of the invention, a composition comprising a florescent probe that binds to a specific neoplasia associated marker is applied topically to the area of interest. After topical administration, the probe preferentially binds to markers associated in neoplastic lesions in situ, which binding is detected with a compact illumination unit that provides illumination at a wavelength appropriate for image acquisition. The illumination unit comprises a light source and fiber optic bundle to direct the light towards the area of examination. A detection unit is used to capture and record an image of the area of investigation. The detection unit may be a digital camera, film camera, etc. A mapping module may also be provided to catalogue the site of examination.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a non-invasive skin cancer diagnostic system that performs fluorescence imaging of skin lesions using a topically applied fluorescent probe. The fluorescent probe binds neoplasia-associated markers, and fluorescence imaging is used to image the applied probe on the skin.
The diagnostic system includes a compact illumination unit and a detection unit for capturing fluorescence images. The illumination unit includes a light source with fiber optic delivery, while the detection unit includes a flexible film camera or a digital camera configured for fluorescence imaging, including use of an emission filter and selected fluorescence imaging optics/configurations.
The system optionally provides body mapping using LED body-coordinate markers and a lesion marker to track lesion location over time. Device configurations and kit components discussed include a fluorescence imager configuration and penetration-enhancing formulations for topical administration, along with probe and controls including positive/negative control probes.
Claims Coverage
The provided set contains one independent claim focused on a flexible, conformable multi-layer camera module for imaging skin lesions using topically applied fluorescence, with three stacked planar layers. The inventive features are organized around conforming geometry, spectral separation between excitation and emission, and a stacked module architecture that is handleable for placement on skin.
Conformable planar stacked excitation layer with wavelength overlap
A flexible light source first camera layer comprising a set of light excitation elements arranged planarly, adapted to conform to a curvature of the skin, with each excitation element spaced so emission light may pass between elements to a second camera layer, wherein wavelengths of light from the set overlap excitation wavelengths of a first fluorescent material applied to the skin.
Planar conformable emission filter blocking excitation wavelengths
An emission filter second camera layer comprising a light filter adapted to pass wavelengths of emission light from the first fluorescent material applied to the skin and to block at least some of the wavelengths of light from the set of light excitation elements, wherein the emission filter second camera layer is planar and adapted to conform to the curvature of the skin.
Planar conformable imaging layer receiving emission light
An imaging third camera layer comprising a two-dimensional imager adapted to receive and either transmit or record a two-dimensional image of received emission light from the first fluorescent material applied topically to the skin, wherein the imaging third camera layer is planar and adapted to conform to the curvature of the skin.
Handleable stacked module placed on skin
Wherein the first, second and third camera layers are adapted to form a single, handleable module adapted to be placed on the skin, and wherein the first, second and third camera layers are stacked in the order of: from the skin outward, first, second and third.
Across the independent claim, the core claim coverage is a conformable three-layer camera module for skin lesion fluorescence imaging, combining a planar conformable excitation layer with excitation wavelength overlap, a planar conformable emission filter that blocks excitation wavelengths while passing emission light, and a planar conformable imaging layer that transmits or records a two-dimensional emission image. The layers are stacked into a single handleable module sized and arranged for placement on skin.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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