US5318023A — Apparatus and method of use for a photosensitizer…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 173 words

A method for the detection and biopsy of metastatic cancer comprising: a. administering intravenously an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent selectively retained by cancerous tissue and capable of light=induced fluorescence, b. exciting a tissue to be examined with a beam of light from a light source, c. examining the tissue of step (b) by contacting it with the beam of light from the light source of step (b) to induce fluorescence, d. observing the fluorescence emitted from the examined tissue of step (c) and a tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, each observation made at two difference wavelengths in order to calculate a first fluorescence intensity ratio for the examined tissue and a second fluorescence intensity ratio for the tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, e. determining if the tissue is cancerous by observing whether the first fluorescence intensity ratio is different than the second fluorescence intensity ratio, f. excising for histological examination the cancerous tissue using a hollow biopsy needle integrated with the light source.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 173 words

A method for the detection and biopsy of metastatic cancer comprising: a. administering intravenously an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent selectively retained by cancerous tissue and capable of light=induced fluorescence, b. exciting a tissue to be examined with a beam of light from a light source, c. examining the tissue of step (b) by contacting it with the beam of light from the light source of step (b) to induce fluorescence, d. observing the fluorescence emitted from the examined tissue of step (c) and a tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, each observation made at two difference wavelengths in order to calculate a first fluorescence intensity ratio for the examined tissue and a second fluorescence intensity ratio for the tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, e. determining if the tissue is cancerous by observing whether the first fluorescence intensity ratio is different than the second fluorescence intensity ratio, f. excising for histological examination the cancerous tissue using a hollow biopsy needle integrated with the light source.

Claim 3

Independent Claim 189 words

A method for the detection and biopsy of metastatic cancer comprising: a. administering intravenously an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent selectively retained by cancerous tissue and capable of light-induced fluorescence, b. exciting a tissue to be examined with a beam of light from a light source, c. examining the tissue of step (b) by contacting it with the beam of light from the light source of step (b) to induce fluorescence, d. observing the fluorescence emitted from the examined tissue of step (c) and a tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, each observation made at two different wavelengths in order to calculate a first fluorescence intensity ratio for the examined tissue and a second fluorescence intensity ratio for the tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, e. determining if the tissue is cancerous by observing whether the first fluorescence intensity ratio is different than the second fluorescence intensity ratio, f. determining the depth of cancer involvement in the cancerous tissue using a biopsy blade integrated with the light source, and g. excising for histological examination the cancerous tissue using a hollow biopsy needle.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 189 words

A method for the detection and biopsy of metastatic cancer comprising: a. administering intravenously an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent selectively retained by cancerous tissue and capable of light-induced fluorescence, b. exciting a tissue to be examined with a beam of light from a light source, c. examining the tissue of step (b) by contacting it with the beam of light from the light source of step (b) to induce fluorescence, d. observing the fluorescence emitted from the examined tissue of step (c) and a tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, each observation made at two different wavelengths in order to calculate a first fluorescence intensity ratio for the examined tissue and a second fluorescence intensity ratio for the tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, e. determining if the tissue is cancerous by observing whether the first fluorescence intensity ratio is different than the second fluorescence intensity ratio, f. determining the depth of cancer involvement in the cancerous tissue using a biopsy blade integrated with the light source, and g. excising for histological examination the cancerous tissue using a hollow biopsy needle.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 183 words

A method for the detection and biopsy of metastatic cancer comprising: a. administering intravenously an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent selectively retained by cancerous tissue and capable of light-induced fluorescence, b. exciting a tissue to be examined with a beam of light that is at least substantially monochromatic or incoherent light filtered to a specific wavelength, c. examining the tissue of step (b) by contacting it with the beam of light from the light source of step (b) to induce fluorescence, d. observing the fluorescence emitted from the examined tissue of step (c) and a tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, each observation made at two different wavelengths in order to calculate a first fluorescence intensity ratio for the examined tissue and a second fluorescence intensity ratio for the tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer. e. determining if the tissue is cancerous by observing whether the first fluorescence intensity ratio is different than the second fluorescence intensity ratio, f. excising for histological examination the cancerous tissue using a hollow biopsy needle integrated with the light source.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 183 words

A method for the detection and biopsy of metastatic cancer comprising: a. administering intravenously an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent selectively retained by cancerous tissue and capable of light-induced fluorescence, b. exciting a tissue to be examined with a beam of light that is at least substantially monochromatic or incoherent light filtered to a specific wavelength, c. examining the tissue of step (b) by contacting it with the beam of light from the light source of step (b) to induce fluorescence, d. observing the fluorescence emitted from the examined tissue of step (c) and a tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, each observation made at two different wavelengths in order to calculate a first fluorescence intensity ratio for the examined tissue and a second fluorescence intensity ratio for the tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer. e. determining if the tissue is cancerous by observing whether the first fluorescence intensity ratio is different than the second fluorescence intensity ratio, f. excising for histological examination the cancerous tissue using a hollow biopsy needle integrated with the light source.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 199 words

A method for the detection and biopsy of metastatic cancer comprising: a. adminsistering intravenously an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent selectively retained by cancerous tissue and capable of light-induced fluorescence, b. exciting a tissue to be examined with a beam of light that is at least substantially monochromatic or incoherent light filtered to a specific wavelength, c. examining the tissue of step (b) by contacting it with the beam of light from the light source of step (b) to induce fluorescence, d. observing the fluorescence emitted from the examined tissue of step (c) and a tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, each observation made at two different wavelengths in order to calculate a first fluorescence intensity ratio for the examined tissue and a second fluorescence intensity ratio for the tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer. e. determining if the tissue is cancerous by observing whether the first fluorescence intensity ratio is different than the second fluorescence intensity ratio, f. determining the depth of cancer involvement in the cancerous tissue using a hollow biopsy needle integrated with the light source, and g. excising for histological examination the cancerous tissue using the biopsy needle.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 199 words

A method for the detection and biopsy of metastatic cancer comprising: a. adminsistering intravenously an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent selectively retained by cancerous tissue and capable of light-induced fluorescence, b. exciting a tissue to be examined with a beam of light that is at least substantially monochromatic or incoherent light filtered to a specific wavelength, c. examining the tissue of step (b) by contacting it with the beam of light from the light source of step (b) to induce fluorescence, d. observing the fluorescence emitted from the examined tissue of step (c) and a tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer, each observation made at two different wavelengths in order to calculate a first fluorescence intensity ratio for the examined tissue and a second fluorescence intensity ratio for the tissue whose condition is known to be without cancer. e. determining if the tissue is cancerous by observing whether the first fluorescence intensity ratio is different than the second fluorescence intensity ratio, f. determining the depth of cancer involvement in the cancerous tissue using a hollow biopsy needle integrated with the light source, and g. excising for histological examination the cancerous tissue using the biopsy needle.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 4 and wherein determining if cancerous tissue is present includes producing a signal corresponding to the ratio between the intensities at two different wavelengths and then displaying the signal.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 195 words

A method for the detection and biopsy of metastatic cancer comprising: a. administering intravenously an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent selectively retained by cancerous tissue and capable of light-induced fluorescence, b. exciting a tissue to be examined with a beam of monochromatic light or incoherent light filtered to a specific wavelength from a light source, c. examining the tissue of step (b) by contacting it with the beam of light from the light source of step (b) to induce fluorescence, d. generating a fluorescence spectrum of light emitted by the examined tissue, e. determining the ratio of intensities at two different wavelengths for the examined tissue and then comparing the ratio of intensities at the same wavelengths for primary tumor and normal tissue, f. determining that the tissue is cancerous if the intensity ratio for examined tissue is different than the ratio of intensity at the same wavelengths for normal tissue, g. determining the depth of cancer involvement in the cancerous tissue using a hollow biopsy needle integrated with the light source, and h. excising for histological examination tissue that displays a fluorescence pattern different from that of normal tissue using the biopsy needle.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 195 words

A method for the detection and biopsy of metastatic cancer comprising: a. administering intravenously an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent selectively retained by cancerous tissue and capable of light-induced fluorescence, b. exciting a tissue to be examined with a beam of monochromatic light or incoherent light filtered to a specific wavelength from a light source, c. examining the tissue of step (b) by contacting it with the beam of light from the light source of step (b) to induce fluorescence, d. generating a fluorescence spectrum of light emitted by the examined tissue, e. determining the ratio of intensities at two different wavelengths for the examined tissue and then comparing the ratio of intensities at the same wavelengths for primary tumor and normal tissue, f. determining that the tissue is cancerous if the intensity ratio for examined tissue is different than the ratio of intensity at the same wavelengths for normal tissue, g. determining the depth of cancer involvement in the cancerous tissue using a hollow biopsy needle integrated with the light source, and h. excising for histological examination tissue that displays a fluorescence pattern different from that of normal tissue using the biopsy needle.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 6 and wherein the two different wavelengths from which fluorescence is observed are 630 nm and 540 nm.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 6 and wherein determining the depth of cancer involvement of the affected tissue comprises using a calibrated biopsy needle.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 57 words

The method of claim 2 wherein the cancerous tissue is diagnosed and excised with an apparatus comprising: a. a light source capable of inducing fluorescence of photosensitizing agents which agents are selectively retained by cancerous tissue following injection, and b. a hollow biopsy needle to remove suspected cancerous tissue, the biopsy needle having thereon the light source.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 70 words

The method of claim 2 wherein the cancerous tissue is diagnosed and excised with an apparatus comprising: a. a light source capable of emitting substantially monochromatic light or incoherent light filtered to a specific wavelength to induce fluorescence of photosensitizing agents, which agents are selectively retained by cancerous tissue following injection, and b. a hollow biopsy needle to remove suspected cancerous tissue, the biopsy needle having thereon the light source.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 10 and wherein the light source comprises multiple or single fiber arrays with a core diameter from about 400 microns.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method claim 10 and wherein the needle is calibrated to measure the depth of cancer involvement in the cancerous tissue.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-06-06	1997-12-06	1998-06-07	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-06-06	2001-12-06	2002-06-07	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-06-06	2005-12-06	2006-06-07	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus and method of use for a photosensitizer enhanced fluorescence based biopsy needle

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