Claims
- 1. Apparatus for determining a characteristic of a sample of material, comprising:
a probe, having illuminating optics that illuminate with electromagnetic radiation a plurality of locations in the sample; and collecting optics that collect electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of said locations in the illuminated sample; a detector that detects the collected electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of said locations in the illuminated sample to produce a response representative of said characteristic; and a barrier disposed external to said probe and disposed between the sample and said probe, wherein the barrier permits illumination by the probe and collecting by the collecting optics.
- 2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sample comprises biological material.
- 3. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sample exists in continuity with an in-vivo body tissue.
- 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the barrier prevents the probe from contacting the in-vivo body tissue.
- 5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the barrier prevents the probe from contacting a tissue in proximity to the in-vivo body tissue.
- 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barrier further comprises a window adapted for transmitting electromagnetic radiation therethrough without distortion.
- 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the window can be irradiated with electromagnetic radiation without producing a significant fluorescent response.
- 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe is rendered inoperable by an absence of the barrier.
- 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the barrier is adapted for single use.
- 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an affixation mechanism that attaches the barrier to the probe, wherein detaching the barrier from the probe prevents a subsequent use of said barrier.
- 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein attaching the barrier to the probe releases a refractive index matching fluid material capable of filling a space between the barrier and the probe whereby electromagnetic radiation can pass effectively through the space and through the barrier, thereby to permit determining the characteristic of the sample.
- 12. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the probe comprises a sensor that detects a marker on the barrier indicating an unused state of the barrier, said sensor generating a signal upon detection of that marker, and said probe further comprising a receptor system that receives the signal and activates the probe upon receipt of the signal.
- 13. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the probe comprises a sensor that detects a marker on the barrier indicating a previous use of the barrier, said sensor generating a signal upon detection of said marker, and said probe further comprising a receptor system that receives the signal and renders the probe inactive upon receipt of the signal.
- 14. Apparatus for determining a characteristic of a sample of biological material, comprising:
a probe having an optical assembly that sequentially directs a first set of electromagnetic radiation to a plurality of locations in a sample with an intensity distribution in the sample that drops off substantially monotonically from a first region in a first optical path and that receives a response indicative of a second set of electromagnetic radiation, said second set comprising electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of said locations, said optical assembly collecting said second set of electromagnetic radiation with a collection distribution that drops off substantially monotonically from a second region in a second optical path, said first and second regions at least partially overlapping in each of said locations, said optical assembly comprising at least one array of field stops whose dimensions are large compared to a quotient of wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation divided by a working numerical aperture of said optical assembly, measured from said field stops; a detector coupled to said return signal to produce responses that vary according to said characteristic in each of said locations; a processor that processes responses produced by the detector to determine the characteristic of the sample; and a sheath that covers the probe.
- 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the optical assembly is inoperative in the absence of the sheath.
- 16. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the sample of biological material exists in continuity with an in-vivo body tissue.
- 17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the sheath prevents the probe from contacting the in-vivo body tissue.
- 18. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the sheath prevents the probe from contacting a tissue in proximity to the in-vivo body tissue.
- 19. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the sheath comprises a window adapted for transmitting electromagnetic radiation.
- 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the window is capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation without producing significant fluorescent response.
- 21. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the sheath is adapted for a single use.
- 22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the sheath is adapted for positioning upon the probe in a unique position.
- 23. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the sheath is attached to the probe, and wherein a detachment of the sheath from the probe renders the sheath inoperable.
- 24. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the sheath further comprises a marker bearing data identifying the sheath, and wherein the probe further comprises a reader to read the data on the marker, and a processing system to correlate the data on the marker with an indicator that relates to an unused state of the sheath.
- 25. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the sheath further comprises a marker bearing data identifying the sheath, and wherein the probe further comprises a reader to read the data on the marker, and an indicator that relates to a previously used state of the sheath.
- 26. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein affixing the sheath to the probe creates a space therebetween interfering with effective passage of electromagnetic radiation, and wherein affixing the sheath to the probe releases a refractive index matching fluid capable of filling the space, whereby electromagnetic radiation can pass effectively through the space and through the barrier, thereby to permit determining the characteristic of the sample.
- 27. A method for determining a characteristic of a sample of material by the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with the sample, comprising the steps of:
providing an optical assembly adapted for positioning in proximity to the sample; providing a sheath that prevents the optical assembly from contacting the sample, said sheath being capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation; covering the optical assembly with the sheath; positioning the optical assembly in proximity to the sample; illuminating with the optical assembly a plurality of locations in the sample by directing electromagnetic radiation to the sample; collecting with said optical assembly electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of the locations in the sample; detecting the collected electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of said locations in the illuminated sample to produce a response representative of said characteristic in each of said locations; and determining from the response in each of said locations the characteristic of the sample.
- 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the sample comprises biological material.
- 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the sample exists in continuity with an in-vivo body tissue.
- 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the sheath prevents the optical assembly from contacting a tissue in proximity to the sample of biological material.
- 31. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of providing a housing that is dimensionally adapted for positioning in relation to the in-vivo body tissue, whereby the optical assembly can be positioned in proximity to the sample and wherein the sheath covers the housing, thereby covering the optical assembly.
- 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the sheath is adapted for a single use.
- 33. The method of claim 28, further comprising the steps of identifying an unused state of the sheath, and rendering the optical assembly operative upon identifying the unused state of the sheath.
- 34. A system for determining a characteristic of a biological tissue, comprising:
an optical probe having illuminating optics and collecting optics; a protective sheath disposed external to the optical probe and interposed between the biological tissue and the optical probe, wherein the optical probe is positioned in proximity to the biological tissue to illuminate a plurality of locations in the biological tissue and to collect electromagnetic radiation emanating from said location; a sensor that detects the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the biological tissue to produce data corresponding to said electromagnetic radiation; and a data processor that processes the data produced by the sensor to determine from said data a characteristic of the biological tissue, wherein the characteristic of the biological tissue can be related to the condition of the biological tissue.
- 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the biological tissue is an internal body tissue.
- 36. The system of claim 35, wherein the optical probe is adapted for insertion within a body lumen, and wherein the protective sheath is interposed between the optical probe and the wall of the body lumen to prevent contact of the optical probe with the wall.
- 37. The system of claim 35, wherein the internal body tissue is a tissue of cervix uteri.
- 38. The system of claim 34, wherein the protective sheath comprises an optical window capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation and a cylindrical sleeve conforming in shape to the optical probe.
- 39. The system of claim 38, wherein the optical window comprises a rigid material.
- 40. The system of claim 38, wherein the optical window is positioned on a distal end of the optical probe.
- 41. The system of claim 34, wherein the protective sheath comprises an optical lens capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation and a cylindrical sleeve conforming in shape to the optical probe.
- 42. The system of claim 38, wherein the optical window comprises an optical filter that transmits optical radiation at a first wavelength and prevents transmission of optical radiation at a second wavelength.
- 43. The system of claim 38, wherein the optical window comprises an optical polarizer that selects a first state of electromagnetic polarization for transmission and prevents a second state of electromagnetic polarization from being transmitted.
- 44. The system of claim 34, wherein the protective sheath is adapted for orientation in a preselected position relative to the optical probe.
- 45. The system of claim 38, wherein the optical window comprises a material capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation without generating a significant fluorescent response.
- 46. The system of claim 41, wherein the optical lens comprises a material capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation without generating a significant fluorescent response.
- 47. The system of claim 42, wherein the optical filter comprises a material capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation without generating a significant fluorescent response.
- 48. The system of claim 43, wherein the optical polarizer comprises a material capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation without generating a significant fluorescent response.
- 49. The system of claim 38, wherein the cylindrical sleeve comprises a heat-shrinkable plastic.
- 50. A system for controlling use of a diagnostic apparatus, comprising:
a diagnostic apparatus with a probe; a disposable sheath that covers the probe, thereby preventing contact of the probe with a body tissue, said disposable sheath comprising an identifier bearing unique data characterizing the disposable sheath; a detector that provides a first signal indicative of the unique data borne by the identifier; and a receiver system that responds to the first signal, that determines a state of the disposable sheath and that provides a second signal to the probe related to the state of the disposable sheath, wherein the second signal regulates activation of the probe.
- 51. The system of claim 50, wherein the diagnostic apparatus further comprises:
an optical assembly having illuminating optics and collecting optics; a detector that detects electromagnetic radiation and that produces a data set corresponding thereto; and a processor that processes the data set to provide a diagnosis of the tissue.
- 52. The system of claim 50, wherein the unique data comprise data relating to a previous use of the disposable sheath.
- 53. The system of claim 50, wherein the unique data comprise data relating to a mechanical defect of the disposable sheath.
- 54. The system of claim 50, wherein the unique data comprise data relating to a diagnostic use of the probe.
- 55. The system of claim 50, wherein said second signal transmitted from the receiver system to the probe is capable of activating the probe.
- 56. The system of claim 50, wherein said second signal transmitted from the receiver system to the probe prevents activation of the probe.
- 57. The system of claim 50, further comprising a database containing data entries and a data processor, wherein the data processor compares the unique data characterizing the disposable sheath with the data entries in the database.
- 58. The system of claim 57, wherein the data entries comprise serial numbers of disposable probes.
- 59. The system of claim 50, wherein the state of the disposable sheath is a state of previous use.
- 60. The system of claim 50, wherein the probe is adapted for diagnosis of a condition of an internal body tissue.
- 61. The system of claim 60, wherein the internal body tissue comprises a tissue of a cervix uteri.
- 62. A system for controlling the use of a probe, comprising:
a disposable barrier that prevents a contact of a probe with a body tissue, said probe comprising a sensor capable of recognizing a state of a disposable barrier, wherein the sensor can signal the probe upon recognition of the state of the disposable barrier, thereby to control the use of the probe.
- 63. The system of claim 62, wherein the sensor can further transmit to the probe a signal to inactivate the probe.
- 64. The system of claim 62, wherein the sensor can further transmit to the probe a signal to activate the probe.
- 65. The system of claim 62, wherein the state of the disposable barrier comprises a secure affixation of the disposable barrier to the probe.
- 66. The system of claim 62, wherein the state of the disposable barrier comprises a condition of physical integrity of the disposable barrier.
- 67. The system of claim 62, wherein the state of the disposable barrier comprises a previously used condition of the disposable barrier.
- 68. The system of claim 62, wherein the state of the disposable barrier comprises an unused condition of the disposable barrier.
- 69. The system of claim 62, wherein the probe is adapted for examination of an internal body tissue.
- 70. The system of claim 69, wherein the internal body tissue comprises a cervix uteri.
- 71. A method for controlling activation of a probe for a diagnostic examination, comprising:
providing a probe adapted for the diagnostic examination; providing a sheath that covers the probe to prevent contact of the probe with body tissue; providing a sensor that senses a condition of the sheath, whereby upon determining the condition of the sheath the sensor transmits a signal to the probe, said signal being capable of controlling the activation of the probe; covering the probe with the sheath; sensing with the sensor the condition of the sheath; and transmitting a signal to control the activation of the probe for the diagnostic examination.
- 72. The method of claim 71, wherein the signal prevents the activation of the probe.
- 73. The method of claim 72, wherein the condition of the sheath comprises a previously used state.
- 74. The method of claim 71, wherein the signal permits the activation of the probe.
- 75. The method of claim 74, wherein the condition of the sheath comprises physical integrity of the sheath.
- 76. The method of claim 74, wherein the condition of the sheath comprises an unused state.
- 77. The method of claim 71, wherein the probe is adapted for the diagnostic examination of an internal body tissue.
- 78. The method of claim 77, wherein the internal body tissue comprises a cervix uteri.
- 79. A disposable sheath for a probe, comprising:
a barrier disposed external to the probe preventing contact between the probe and a feature of an environment in proximity to the probe; and a single-use mechanism, whereby the barrier is prevented from being reused.
- 80. The disposable sheath of claim 79, wherein the single-use mechanism comprises an affixation mechanism whereby the barrier is attached to the probe and wherein, upon attachment the barrier is prevented from being reused.
- 81. The disposable sheath of claim 79, wherein the single-use mechanism comprises an affixation mechanism whereby the barrier is attached to the probe and wherein, upon detachment of said barrier from the probe, the barrier is prevented from being reused.
- 82. The disposable sheath of claim 79, wherein the single-use mechanism comprises an interlock system that recognizes a proper position of the barrier on the probe and that prevents the probe from being used without the barrier in the proper position.
- 83. An interlock system, comprising:
a first component; a second component that mates with the first component; and a sensor system that perceives a proper positioning of the second component in relation to the first component and that generates a signal to activate the first component upon perceiving said proper position.
- 84. An optical system comprising:
a probe having illuminating optics that direct electromagnetic radiation to a target sample and collecting optics that collect electromagnetic radiation emitted from a target sample; and a sheath for covering the probe, said sheath having a distal tip dimensionally adapted for entering an orifice too small to permit entry of the probe into said orifice, wherein the distal tip directs electromagnetic radiation from the illuminating optics to the target sample and from the target sample to the collecting optics.
- 85. The system of claim 84, wherein the distal tip of the sheath is dimensionally adapted for entering the cervical os.
- 86. The system of claim 84, wherein the electromagnetic radiation from the illuminating optics of the probe is directed to the target sample through a lateral aspect of the distal tip of the disposable sheath
- 87. The system of claim 86, further comprising a reflecting prism located at the distal end of the disposable sheath that deflects the electromagnetic radiation being directed from the illuminating optics.
- 88. A method of making a probe system, comprising:
providing an optical assembly for illuminating a sample and collecting electromagnetic radiation emanating from the sample; and positioning a disposable sheath between the optical assembly and the sample.
- 89. The method of claim 88, wherein the sample comprises biological material.
- 90. The method of claim 89, wherein the sample of biological material is in continuity with an in-vivo body tissue.
- 91. The method of claim 90, wherein the disposable sheath prevents the optical assembly from contacting the in-vivo body tissue.
- 92. The method of claim 90, wherein the disposable sheath prevents the optical assembly from contacting a tissue in proximity to the in-vivo body tissue.
- 93. The method of claim 88, wherein the disposable sheath further comprises a window adapted for transmitting electromagnetic radiation therethrough without distortion of said electromagnetic radiation.
- 94. The method of claim 88, wherein the optical assembly is rendered inoperable by the absence of the disposable sheath.
- 95. The method of claim 88, wherein the disposable sheath is adapted for single use.
PRIOR APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/115,373, filed Jan. 11, 1999, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/241,806 filed Feb. 2, 1999, this latter Application having been filed as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/782,936 filed January 13, 1997. Both such applications are herein incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60115373 |
Jan 1999 |
US |
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09481762 |
Jan 2000 |
US |
Child |
10701123 |
Nov 2003 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09241806 |
Feb 1999 |
US |
Child |
10701123 |
Nov 2003 |
US |
Parent |
08782936 |
Jan 1997 |
US |
Child |
09241806 |
Feb 1999 |
US |