U.S. patent number 7,302,287 [Application Number 11/168,286] was granted by the patent office on 2007-11-27 for methods of detecting inflammation of an epithelium layer in the oral region with a probe using diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy.
This patent grant is currently assigned to N/A, The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services. Invention is credited to Victor Chernomordik, Amir H. Gandjbakhche, David W. Hattery, Jim Mulshine, Paul Smith, Edward Wellner.
United States Patent |
7,302,287 |
Gandjbakhche , et
al. |
November 27, 2007 |
Methods of detecting inflammation of an epithelium layer in the
oral region with a probe using diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy
Abstract
The invention provides a device and method for monitoring
inflammation of the epithelium. The device consists of a head
region, a handle region and an optical bundle. At least two of the
optical fibers in the bundle are utilized as a source of radiation,
these two fibers are at two different angles from normal. At least
one of the other optical fibers is utilized as a detector for the
reflected radiation, or alternatively an image guide can be used as
the detector. The device of the invention can be part of an
external or internal system that can include a light source, the
device, a multiplexer, a spectrometer, and a computer for data
analysis. The method of the invention allows for the detection and
monitoring of general inflammation of the oral epithelium. The
inflammation of the epithelium can be detected or monitored to
diagnose diseases of the oral epithelium, monitor such diseases,
monitor treatment of such diseases, or pre-screen for and monitor
preventative treatments of such diseases.
Inventors: |
Gandjbakhche; Amir H. (Potomac,
MD), Hattery; David W. (Washington, DC), Mulshine;
Jim (Bethesda, MD), Smith; Paul (Annapolis, MD),
Chernomordik; Victor (Rockville, MD), Wellner; Edward
(Fairfax, VA) |
Assignee: |
The United States of America as
represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
(Washington, DC)
N/A (N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
26931809 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/168,286 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20050256383 A1 |
Nov 17, 2005 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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11105180 |
Apr 13, 2005 |
6990369 |
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09972700 |
Oct 5, 2001 |
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60238600 |
Oct 6, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/407; 600/477;
600/478 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
5/0088 (20130101); A61B 5/682 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
5/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;600/407,476-478
;356/303,432,433 ;250/459.1,461.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Arai et al., Aug. 1999, American Journal of Physiology,
277(2):H683-H697 "Myocardial oxygenation in vivo: optical
spectroscopy of cytoplasmic myoglobin and mitochondrial
cytochromes." cited by other .
Cui et al., Feb. 1992, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering,
39(2):194-201 "The Relationship of Surface Reflectance Measurements
to Optical Properties of Layered Biological Media." cited by other
.
Doombos et al., Apr. 1999, Physics in Medicine & Biology,
44(4):967-981 "The determination of in vivo human tissue optical
properties and absolute chromophore concentrations using spatially
resolved steady-state diffuse reflectance spectroscopy." cited by
other .
Farrell et al., Jul./Aug. 1992, Medical Physics, 19(4):879-888 "A
diffusion theory model of spatially resolved, steady-state diffuse
reflectance for the noninvasive determination of tissue optical
properties in vivo." cited by other .
Gandjbakhche et al., Aug. 1999, American Journal of Physiology,
277(2):H698-H704 "Visible-light photon migration through myocardium
in vivo." cited by other .
Wan et al., 1981, Phtochemistry and Photobiology, 34:493-499
"Analytical Modeling for the Optical Properties of the Skin with in
vitro and in vivo Applications." cited by other .
Zeng et al., Feb. 1993, Physics in Medicine & Biology,
38(2):231-240 "A computerized autofluorescence and diffuse
reflectance spectroanalyser system for in vivo skin studies." cited
by other.
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Primary Examiner: Smith; Ruth S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Merchant & Gould, P.C.
Government Interests
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED
RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
This invention has been developed with the support of the
Department of Health and Human Services. The Government of the
United States of America has certain rights in the invention.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/105,180, filed Apr. 13, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,369,
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
9/972,700, filed Oct. 5, 2001, now abandoned, which claims priority
to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/238,600, filed Oct. 6,
2000, the disclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of detecting inflammation of an epithelium layer in the
oral region comprising: (a) shining light on the epithelium layer
to be analyzed from at least two sources, wherein each source
shines said light on the epithelium layer at an angle relative to a
normal, wherein: the epithelium layer defines said normal; said
normal is an axis that is at a 90.degree. angle from said
epithelium layer; and each source shines light on the epithelium
layer from a different angle; (b) detecting an intensity of light
that is reflected back from the epithelium layer from each source
with a detector; (c) determining the ratio between the at least two
intensities of light reflected back from the epithelium layer; (d)
comparing the ratio of the intensities versus source to detector
separation to determine breakpoints, wherein the breakpoints
comprise the location of the boundary between the stroma and the
epithelium layers; and (e) analyzing the location of said boundary
to detect inflammation of the epithelium layer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing comprises plotting the
log of the ratio of the intensities versus the source to detector
separation to determine the location of the boundary between the
stroma and the epithelium layers.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein (e) comprises comparing the
location of said boundary in the patient of interest to the
location of the boundary in a normal patient.
4. The method of claim 3 additionally comprising: diagnosing a
possible oral disease when the boundary is deeper into the tissue
than it is in a normal patient.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the oral disease comprises gum
disease or leukoplakia.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the oral disease comprises
cancer.
7. The method of claim 3 additionally comprising: determining if
the patient is at a higher risk for oral cancer if the patient's
epithelium boundary is deeper than a normal patient.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein (e) comprises comparing the
location of said boundary in the patient at the time of interest to
the location of the boundary in the patient at a time defined as
providing a baseline amount of inflammation.
9. The method of claim 8 additionally comprising: determining
whether an oral disease or cancer is progressing if the boundary is
getting deeper, or determining that the oral disease or cancer is
being suspended or effectively treated if the boundary is remaining
stationary or getting closer to the surface.
10. The method of claim 8 additionally comprising: comparing the
location of said boundary for a patient prior to a treatment of
interest and after the treatment of interest to monitor the
efficacy of the treatment.
11. The method of claim 8 additionally comprising: comparing the
location of said boundary for a patient prior to a chemotherapeutic
treatment of interest and after the chemotherapeutic treatment of
interest to monitor the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic
treatment.
12. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising: comparing the
point(s) at which the slope of theoretical plots of log of ratio of
intensities to epithelium thickness to determine the thickness
shifts of the patient's epithelium.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein each breakpoint comprises
transition of the light intensity from one slope to another
slope.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the transition of the light
intensity from one slope to a lower slope corresponds to a point at
which the light goes out of the epithelial layer and into the
stroma.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein said angle relative to a normal
comprises 0.degree., 30.degree., 45.degree., or 60.degree. from
normal.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein shining light on the epithelium
layer to be analyzed from at least two sources comprises
positioning the first source 30.degree. from normal and the second
source 60.degree. from normal.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein shining light on the epithelium
layer to be analyzed from at least two sources comprises
positioning the first source 0.degree. from normal and the second
source 45.degree. from normal.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein shining light on the epithelium
layer to be analyzed from at least three sources comprises
positioning the first source 0.degree. from normal, the second
source 45.degree. from normal, and the third source 60.degree. from
normal.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein each light source comprises an
optical fiber.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the optical fiber comprises an
outer diameter of less than or equal to about 0.25 mm, with a core
diameter less than or equal to 240 .mu.m.
21. The method of claim 1, said detector comprises one or more
optical fibers.
22. The method of claim 1, said detector comprises an image
conduit.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the image conduit is a high
resolution fiber image conduit.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the image conduit comprises
resolution of at least 12 .mu.m.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the image conduit comprises a
diameter of at least 3.2 mm.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein the source to detector
separation is from about 12 .mu.m to about 3.2 mm.
27. The method of claim 1, wherein the light comprises a single
wavelength.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the light from the first source
comprises a different wavelength than the light from the second
source.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to a device and method for use in
quantifying and monitoring inflammation of the epithelium. More
particularly, the invention relates to fiber optic probes useful in
a method for determining inflammation of epithelium tissue, which
is relevant in a number of fields, including but not limited to
dentistry, general medicine and internal medicine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Diagnosis of mammalian oral health often focuses on the epithelium.
The epithelium is the covering of internal and external surfaces of
the body, including the lining of vessels and other small cavities.
It is made up of cells that are joined by small amounts of
cementing substances. Epithelium is classified into different
types, based on the depth of the layers and the shape of the cells
residing at the surface.
The oral epithelium has a base layer of progenitor cells that are
constantly replicating. As the newly replicated cells are formed at
the base, they push the overlying cells toward the upper epithelial
surface. As these cells approach the surface, they are flattened,
eventually detached from the surface and will slough off. A healthy
oral epithelium has a thickness in the range of 50-150 .mu.m.
The first clinical symptom of an unhealthy oral epithelium is
inflammation. Inflammation of the oral epithelium may result from
either an increased proliferation rate of progenitor cells, a
decreased detachment rate from the upper surfaces of the oral
epithelium, or a combination thereof. Inflamed cell populations,
including inflamed oral epithelium regions, produce cytokines that
can specifically stimulate growth of evolving cancer clones. Normal
epithelium populations will also respond to the chronic presence of
mitogenically active cytokines by increasing their rate of cell
growth. This increased cell growth is called hyperplasia. Normal
epithelial cell hyperplasia can thereby be a measure of the
promotional environment of a cancer clone.
The general health of the oral epithelium can sometimes be
determined by visual inspection. For a more thorough diagnosis
however, the thickness of the epithelium should be quantified. In
order to quantify the thickness, more advanced techniques, such as
endoscopy must be used.
Endoscopy is the visual inspection of a cavity of the body by use
of an endoscope. An endoscope is generally a highly flexible
viewing instrument that may also be capable of diagnostic and
therapeutic functions. Endoscopy is widely used to diagnose,
monitor and treat a number of diseases and maladies of the
digestive system. Many diseases of the human digestive tract can be
diagnosed by visual appearance, for example tumors possess a
characteristic salmon pink color. In practice, these factors
combine to allow one procedure, endoscopy, to be a relatively
simple, non-surgical diagnosis and monitoring tool of many
digestive tract diseases.
Use of diagnostic scopes as clinical tools was greatly advanced by
the development of fiber optics in the 1950s. The use of fiber
optics in diagnostic scopes allowed better images to be recorded.
It also allowed more organs to be viewed because of the flexibility
that fiber optics brought to the instrument. The flexibility added
by fiber optics also decreased the incidence of puncturing body
tissue and organs that occurred more often with rigid scopes.
Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is a technique that was developed
for use in surface analysis of powdered organic and inorganic
samples. The technique is based on the diffuse reflectance of
radiation that occurs when it is directed onto a surface with a
matte finish or a powdered sample. The reflected radiation
penetrates the sample and interacts with it before the radiation
emerges from the sample as a "reflection". While the radiation is
in the sample, scattering occurs such that the diffusely reflected
light emerges from the sample at all angles, as opposed to the one
angle that would be observed if the scattering had not
occurred.
Reflectance spectroscopy has been used previously in a clinical
setting. For example, reflectance spectroscopy has been used to
determine oxygen levels in the myocardium in vivo. For details of
such uses see, for example, Arai, A. E., Myocardial oxygenation in
vivo: optical spectroscopy of cytoplasmic myoglobin and
mitochondrial cytochromes. Heart Circ. Physiol. 46: H683-H697,
1999; or Gandjbakhche, Visible-light photon migration through
myocardium in vivo. Heart Circ. Physiol. 46: H698-H704, 1999.
The use of reflectance spectroscopy in the diagnosis of oral health
problems would provide a noninvasive, simple and inexpensive manner
of diagnosis. However, little has been done furthering the
diagnosis of oral health problems using such techniques. Further,
the early diagnosis of maladies, such as gum disease and oral
cancer often reduces the need for painful, if not disfiguring
medical intervention. Therefore, there is a need for devices and
methods that utilize reflectance spectroscopy that could be used in
the diagnosis of oral health problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention utilizes diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to create a
method and device whereby the epithelium/stroma boundary can be
located in vivo with little or no discomfort to a patient, and
epithelium inflammation can be quantified and monitored.
The invention is used for quantifying and monitoring inflammation
of the epithelium layer and includes an optical bundle, a handle
region and a head region that can be pivoted. Preferably, the
optical bundle is configured in such a way that some of the fibers
are utilized as detectors and others, utilized as sources are at
angles of less than about 60.degree. from normal. More preferably,
the device includes an image guide as the detector and two fibers
at angles of about 0.degree. and 45.degree. from normal as the
source.
The method of the invention allows quantification and monitoring of
general epithelium inflammation. Preferably, the method utilizes
reflected photon intensity to locate the boundary of epithelium and
stroma within a patient's mouth. More preferably, the method
utilizes a ratio of photon intensity from sources at different
angles to locate the epithelium/stroma boundary and compare it to a
normal epithelium/stroma boundary location or a prior boundary
location of the same patient. The method also allows the epithelium
thickness to be quantified by comparing the results to
standards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a device of the
invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a side elevation of an
embodiment of a device of the invention.
FIG. 3 depicts a bottom plan view of the head region of the
embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, from the bottom of the
head region of the device.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a side elevation of a further
embodiment of the device of the invention.
FIG. 5 depicts a bottom plan view of the head region of the
embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 from the bottom of the
head region of the device.
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a side elevation of a further
alternative embodiment of a device of the invention.
FIG. 7 depicts a bottom plan view of the head region of the
embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 from the bottom of the
head region of the device.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a path that light takes in
the oral diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy process.
FIG. 9 is a graph that illustrates the detection of the
epithelium/stroma boundary and illustrates standard graphs that
allow quantification of epithelium thickness.
FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a device of the invention
as it could be configured to be part of a system for collecting
data from a patient and analyzing it.
FIG. 11 is a graph that shows data collected, using a device and
method of the invention, from the lip of a patient with a history
of leukoplakia.
FIG. 12 is a graph that shows data collected, using a device and
method of the invention, from the lip of a normal patient.
FIG. 13 is a graph that compares the left lip of a normal patient
and a patient with a history of leukoplakia; and the right lip of a
normal patient and two patients with history of leukoplakia.
FIG. 14 is an illustration of one embodiment of a oral diffuse
reflectance spectroscopy probe.
FIG. 15 depicts plots of raw data from an oral probe with eight
different source-detector combinations.
FIG. 16 is a graph of CCD intensity as a function of photon
wavelength and integration time.
FIG. 17 is a graph of the log of the ratio of the intensities for
different detector numerical apertures.
FIG. 18 is a graph depicting the absorption of different types of
hemoglobin at variable wavelengths.
FIG. 19 is a graph depicting the log of the intensity ratio for
layers of differing thicknesses.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The device of the invention allows for non-invasive quantification
and monitoring of epithelium inflammation. The device utilizes
diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and the physical characteristics
of the epithelium and stromal layers of the tissue.
The device 101 includes a handle region 102, a head region 104 and
an enclosed optical bundle 105 (FIG. 2). FIG. 1 depicts one example
of a physical configuration of the device 101.
The handle region 102 allows the user to employ and manipulate the
device 101. The handle region 102 can be made of any suitable
material, including for example plastic or epoxy. Handle region 102
is generally configured so that the optical bundle portion of the
device can be contained therein. Handle region 102 is preferably
configured so as to be easily and comfortably manipulated by the
user. Preferably, handle region 102 is made of plastic.
The handle region 102 is preferably connected to the head region
104 by a hinge assembly 103. The hinge assembly 103 is configured
so that the head region 104 can be easily pivoted to allow correct
and comfortable placement of the device 101 within the patient's
mouth. The hinge assembly 103 is generally configured to allow the
enclosed optical bundle 105 (shown in FIG. 2) to pass from the
handle region 102 to the head region 104 without interference from
the hinge assembly 103. Hinge assembly 103 can offer from 10 to 150
degrees of rotation. Hinge assembly 103 can be made of any
acceptable material, including but not limited to plastic or
stainless steel spring. Preferably, hinge assembly 103 is a
stainless steel spring, and offers about 120 degrees of
rotation.
The head region 104 houses the optical bundle 105. Head region 104
is also configured to provide the area of contact between the
device 101 and the patient. Generally, head region 104 is
configured so that it is comfortable and easily maneuvered within a
patient's mouth. The head region 104 is configured so that the
optical bundle 105 ends at the open end of the head region 104.
Head region 104 can be constructed of any suitable material,
including but not limited to plastic or epoxy. Preferably, head
region 104 is made of plastic.
A device of the invention also includes an optical bundle 105. The
purpose of the optical bundle 105 is two fold. The optical bundle
105 functions as the source of the light and the detector for the
ultimate signal from the patient. Optical bundle 105 can be
configured so that the individual fibers function as a source, as a
detector, or as both a source and a detector. One embodiment of
optical bundle 105 includes first source fiber 110, second source
fiber 111, and detector fibers 112. The optical bundle 105 is
constructed in such a way, and of acceptable materials so it can be
enclosed by the handle region 102 and head region 104. At the
distal end of the handle region 102, the optical bundle 105 is
configured so as to allow connection to both the light source and
the data collection and analysis system.
An example of an embodiment of an optical bundle 105 is depicted in
FIG. 2. The optical bundle 105 is made up of individual optical
fibers. In the optical bundle 105, some of the fibers are dedicated
source fibers, while others are dedicated detector fibers. In the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, first source fiber 110 and second
source fiber 111 are configured as sources of radiation.
Embodiments of the invention generally have at least two fibers as
sources. The fibers configured as sources generally have two
different angles, that is a first angle and a second angle from
normal. Devices of the invention are configured with at least one
fiber as a detector, or alternatively have another type of
detector, such as an image conduit.
In one embodiment of the invention, first and second source fibers
110 and 111 have angles from about 0.degree. to 60.degree. from the
normal. In this instance, normal is the axis X-X' which is at an
angle of 90.degree. from the contact area 114. As can be seen, the
optical fibers may be normal to the contact area 114 in the space
adjacent the contact area 114. Preferably optical bundle 105 is
configured with first source fiber 110 having a 30.degree. angle
(a, FIG. 2) and second source fiber 111 having a 60.degree. angle
(.phi., FIG. 2) from the normal as defined by the detector
fibers.
In one embodiment, the fibers of optical bundle 105 are polymer
based fibers. Polymer based fibers allow the contact area 114 to be
polished to create the angles necessary in first and second source
fibers 110 and 111.
FIG. 3 depicts a view of this embodiment of the invention from the
perspective of the bottom of the head region 104. This view shows
the vertical arrangement of the optical fibers of the optical
bundle 105. The first and second source fibers 110 and 111 are oval
in shape because they are polished in a plane defined by contact
area 114 to create the desired angles.
Another embodiment of the device 101 of the invention is depicted
in FIG. 4. First, second and third optical fibers 130, 131 and 132
are the source of the light for the device 101. Detector fibers 133
function to detect the intensity of the light reflected back from
the sample being tested. The first, second and third optical fibers
130, 131 and 132 have angles of about 60.degree., 45.degree. and
0.degree., respectively, from normal. The first, second and third
optical fibers 130, 131 and 132 are preferably joined together to
create the above angles by a transparent optical epoxy in the
contact region 134. An example of suitable epoxies includes Norland
optical adhesives, part nos.: 61, 63 or 6801 (Norland Optical Inc.,
New Brunswick N.J. 08902). The use of optical epoxy obviates the
need for polishing the fibers to achieve the desired angles.
Therefore, the fibers in this embodiment need not be polymer based,
and virtually any type of optical fibers can be utilized.
FIG. 5 depicts a plan view of this embodiment of the invention from
the perspective of the bottom of the head region 104. This view
shows the vertical arrangement of the optical fibers of the optical
bundle 105. The first, second and third source fibers 130, 131 and
132 are encased in transparent optical epoxy to maintain the
desired angles.
Generally, the device utilizes two source fibers 130 and 131. The
third source fiber 132, in this embodiment provides a third angle
for use in analysis of the epithelium stroma boundary. As one will
understand, having this specification, this third source provides
further data for use in diagnosis of epithelial maladies.
FIG. 6 depicts yet another embodiment of the invention. First and
second optical source fibers 150 and 151 are the source of the
light for this device. First and second optical source fibers 150
and 151 form angles of about 0.degree. and 45.degree. from normal.
The first and second optical source fibers 150 and 151 are again
joined by a transparent optical epoxy in the contact region 134.
The image guide 152 functions as the detector for this embodiment
of the invention. Specific image conduits that may be utilized in
this specific embodiment include for example, high resolution fiber
image conduit with fused glass rods--12 .mu.m resolution, 305 mm in
length with a 3.2 mm total diameter (Edmund Industrial Optics
Catalog N997A pg. 207 stock # J38-302) and high resolution fiber
image conduit with fused glass rods--24 .mu.m resolution, 305 mm in
length with a 6.4 mm total diameter (Edmund Industrial Optics
Catalog N997A pg. 207 stock # J38-304). The image conduit 152 can
be connected to a charge coupled device (CCD) camera (not
shown).
FIG. 7 depicts a plan view of this embodiment of the invention from
the perspective of the bottom of the head region 104. This view
shows the vertical arrangement of the optical fibers and the image
guide 152 of the optical bundle 105. The first and second optical
source fibers 150 and 151 are encased in the transparent optical
epoxy at contact region 134 in order to maintain the desired
angles.
Previous embodiments that were discussed can be used as part of a
system in order to produce a signal, collect the data, and analyze
the data. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a possible
configuration of such a system, and how the device is used within a
method of the invention.
A system utilizing a device of the invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 8 contains a white light source, connected to a source
multiplexer. The source multiplexer transmits the source energy to
a device of the invention referred to in FIG. 8 as "oral probe".
The oral probe then transmits light into the patient's mouth. Some
of the light transmitted into the patient's mouth is reflected back
and is received by the oral probe. This energy is then transmitted
to a detector fiber multiplexer and then to a spectrometer which
detects and measures the amount of light. The measurement of the
amount of light is then saved into a data file. This data file is
subjected to data analysis to output the thickness of the
epithelium within the region of the patient's mouth that was
subjected to the oral probe. Alternatively, the source multiplexer,
the detector fiber multiplexer, the spectrometer, and the data file
can all be controlled by a single system of software. In yet
another alternative, the data analysis and output can also be
controlled by the same software, or can be processed by another
system. The invention includes embodiments of the device that
contain elements capable of carrying out functions of other
portions of the system, such as for example, components that
produce a signal and collect data.
One example of a more self-contained device in accordance with the
invention comprises a laser. Preferably the laser comprises a green
HeNe laser or an orange HeNe laser. Embodiments with self-contained
light sources obviate the need for a spectrometer to be part of the
system. A multiplexer may be used in the self-contained device to
switch from one light source to the other. A self-contained device
could further be equipped with a microprocessor in order to carry
out the data collection, data storage and data analysis steps.
Devices of the invention may also include optical fibers configured
so that the absorption and scattering characteristics of the
epithelium and stroma layer can be utilized to monitor epithelium
inflammation. This includes the illustrated embodiments above with
different types or varieties of optical fibers. It also includes
devices constructed by using image guides as detectors. It further
contemplates similar advances in radiation detection methods.
Methods of the invention are based on the physical differences
between the epithelium and stroma layers. In one embodiment of the
invention, a device of the invention is utilized. The device of the
invention shines light from at least two different angles onto the
area of interest. The device of the invention then detects the
intensity of the reflected radiation at increasing distances from
the source fibers. The log of the ratio of the intensities from the
two different wavelengths is graphed versus the detector
distance.
Graphs produced from this process are then used to locate the
epithelium/stroma boundary. The boundary is detected by noting the
point at which the slope of the line shifts. This slope shift can
then be utilized in one of three different ways.
A line from the graph of the intensity ratio versus detector
distance of a single patient can be monitored over time to detect
any shift in the epithelium/stroma boundary. This shift could show
either more or less epithelial inflammation.
Alternatively, the intensity ratio versus distance line of a single
patient can be compared to theorized lines of differing epithelium
thickness to get a qualitative measurement of epithelium thickness.
The epithelium layer can then be given a definite thickness which
could allow comparison to normal thickness. Alternatively, it could
allow monitoring of the epithelium thickness over time.
Yet another alternative allows the intensity ratio versus distance
line of a single patient to be compared to an intensity ratio
versus distance line for a normal patient. This comparison can be
used as a pre-screening technique. One use of this technique would
be to detect patients with a risk of developing oral cancers and
thereby locate candidates for chemo-preventative treatments. The
patient's intensity ratio versus distance line could then be
utilized further to monitor the chemo-preventative treatment and
the further risk of development of oral cancers.
The method of the invention also contemplates other methods of
calculating the epithelium/stroma boundary. The invention further
contemplates other methods of determining epithelium thickness by
utilizing the different absorption and scattering characteristics
of the epithelium and stroma. The method also includes monitoring
and detection of epithelium inflammation in other regions of the
digestive tract. The method of monitoring epithelium inflammation
can be used to monitor oral lesions, oral cancers and
chemotherapeutic treatments and can also be used as a prescreening
technique for disease and cancers that afflict the epithelium
tissues.
WORKING EXAMPLES
The following examples provide nonlimiting illustrations of the
device and methods of the invention.
Working Example #1
Leukoplakia are highly localized, firmly attached, thick white
patches found on the tongue or other mucous membranes. They often
occur as pre-cancerous growths. Leukoplakia on the oral epithelium
is thought to develop in response to chronic irritation. Common
causes of such chronic irritation are badly fitting dentures,
smoking cigarettes, or chewing tobacco.
Leukoplakia is often visually diagnosed by a physician upon a
routine examination of the mouth. Leukoplakia is the most common
oral lesion worldwide. In a study of 23,616 white U.S. adults (97%
white) who were over 35 years of age, 1.45% had leukoplakia. The
prevalence is higher in males, with 2.81% of males having
leukoplakia. Dental Abstracts, vol. 32, p. 423, 1987. Biopsies done
on leukoplakia show a prominent thickening of the epithelial layer;
from a normal 10-20 .mu.m (average of three to five cell layers) up
to approximately 100 .mu.m (with corresponding proliferation of
cell layers).
It seems highly likely that there is a connection between
leukoplakia and oral cancer because virtually all patients that
have oral cancer also have leukoplakia. Oral cancer is the sixth
most common malignancy worldwide for individuals over the age of
35. Approximately 3% of patients with precursors of oral cancers
have the afflicted region of the oral epithelium surgically
removed. Oral cancers that directly follow leukoplakia are treated
by surgically removing the afflicted region 0.03% of the time.
A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, Phase 118 trial of
Ketorolac mouth rinse on oropharyngeal leukoplakia was performed.
Cyclooxygenase (Cox) inhibition leads to a decrease in PGE2 levels,
as it is an enzyme necessary in the biosynthesic pathway. Since an
increase in PGE2 and Cox-2 levels are associated with
immunosuppression and carcinogenesis, a reduction in Cox-2 may be
beneficial in arresting cancer development. This trial was aimed at
evaluating the effect of reducing the inflammation of the oral
epithelium by Ketorolac, and assessing its favorable effect upon
the development of leukoplakia (and perhaps oral cancers). The
inflammation in the epithelial layer over a three-month period was
monitored using three different methods: an invasive punch biopsy
and immunohistochemistry, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and a
method and device of the invention.
The absorption of photons in a particular type of tissue was
characterized, and a coefficient determined. The scattering of
photons in that same tissue was characterized and a coefficient
determined. When light was directed toward the epithelium, more
light was scattered by the overlying epithelial layer than is
scattered by the underlying stroma. Consequently, absorption was
higher in the stroma than it is in the epithelium layer. This was
due to a higher presence of hemoglobin in the stroma. The invention
took advantage of these differences in scattering and absorption
between the epithelium and the stroma in order to locate the
boundary between the two layers.
In order to provide better depth resolution, two or more oblique
angles were utilized. Further, in order to ensure that measurement
was localized in the surface of the tissue, wavelengths of light
that are more absorbed at the surface are utilized. High absorption
at the surface also allowed use of a single scattering model of
photon transport in the tissue, which simplifies the
calculations.
Our assessment technique utilized optical reflectance spectroscopy
(ORS), specifically oblique angle reflectance spectroscopy, in a
time-efficient and non-invasive manner. Since the epithelium and
stroma have different scattering (.mu..sub.s) and absorption
(.mu..sub.a) properties (specifically the stroma has a greater
concentration of hemoglobin due to increased vascularization)
analysis of the decrease in photon intensity as the distance of the
detector increases allowed; 1.) the boundary between the two layers
to be found; and 2.) the quantification of tissue thickness.
The thickness of the epithelium layers was quantified by using
known thicknesses of epithelium layers to produce an array of
standard curves. Monitoring of both the boundary and the thickness
over time allows for an assessment of the efficacy of a treatment
protocol.
A theory that would predict the location of the epithelium/stroma
boundary was also developed. Simulations based on a two-layer
single scattering model have shown that a graph of the log of
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..degree..t-
imes..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times-
..degree..times..times. ##EQU00001## exhibits transitions from one
slope to a lower slope (breakpoints) which correspond to the
photons going out of the epithelial layer and into the stroma. This
observed breakpoint represents the distance at which the boundary
between the two layers occurs. Ultimately this is the point that
should be monitored in patients. Additionally the value of the
logarithmic ratio appears to be on the order of 0-5. An output for
one such simulation is shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 9 is a theoretical plot that allows epithelium thickness to be
quantified. Line a and b represent the epithelium and stroma
respectively. Lines a and b represent graphs of scattering
coefficients of 15 and 0.1, and are chosen because they are
representative of the scattering in the epithelium and stroma
respectively.
The remaining lines represent two layer systems of material
scattering with a coefficient of 15 and 0.1 (epithelium and stroma
respectively). The two layer systems represent different
thicknesses. The lines c, d, and e have slope shifts which
represent the boundary between the layer representing epithelium
and the layer representing stroma.
By utilizing this theoretical plot, the thickness of an unknown
epithelium layer can be predicted. The resolution of epithelium
thickness is limited only by the number and spacing of the detector
fibers or the resolution of the imaging guide.
Materials and Methods for Data Collection:
The instrumentation used in the spectra collection included a
device of the invention, configured as a fiber optic probe, a Fiber
Optics Multiplexer, an Ocean Optics Spectrometer, National
Instruments LabView Software and a Dell Computers Laptop. The
analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel. A schematic of the
data collection is shown in FIG. 10.
The probe was placed on a specific site in the patient's oral
cavity and the Virtual Instrument (VI) program, written using
LabView, was initiated. The program switched between the two light
sources and controlled the multiplexer, which in turn switched
between the four detector fibers. The spectrometer was also
controlled by the VI program and recorded the spectra from each
detector-source combination and sent it to the VI program to be
recorded. The VI program would record the spectra as a data file
and this data file was input into Microsoft Excel for analysis.
Various sites within the oral cavity were analyzed, in particular
the bilateral lower lip, bilateral buccal mucosa, and an observable
leukoplakia lesion. Four individuals were tested; a nineteen year
old non-smoking adult male (used as a control), and three elderly
males with a positive history of leukoplakia who presented with
observable oral leukoplakia lesions.
Data Analysis:
The spectra recorded in the data collection process were saved as
data files. Each file contained eight arrays. Each array
represented the photon intensity across various wavelengths for a
specific source-detector pairing.
Since the difference between the optical properties of the
epithelial and stromal layers is due mainly to the higher
concentration of hemoglobin in the stroma, wavelengths where the
hemoglobin absorption peaks lay were utilized. These peaks occur
between 500 and 600 nanometers. After the spectral data was
collected, it had to be corrected based on four factors. 1) Dark
Count--In the absence of a light source the spectrometer still
showed a photon count. This count increased with time and was a
function of wavelength. Thus the spectra were adjusted for this
"Dark Count," so that the readings were only due to the light
source. The Dark Count was modeled to a two-parameter function,
F(A, t), and subtracted from the input spectra. 2) Light source
intensity--The two light sources that supplied the 30.degree. and
60.degree. source fibers had different output intensities. A linear
scaling factor was applied to the data to account for this
difference. 3) Collection Efficiency of Detector Fibers--Each
detector fiber (2-5) varied in its ability to detect photons,
therefore normalization factors were applied to the data according
to collection efficiency of each fiber. 4) Distance from source to
detector--the configuration of the device led to a difference in
the source to detector spacing, since the number of photons
detected by the detector decreases exponentially with distance, a
logarithmic and linear calibration factor was applied.
The adjusted data was then analyzed in two manners. First, the
logarithmic ratio of the 60.degree. to the 30.degree. source photon
drop-off with distance was graphed for each site. The purpose of
this was to characterize the photon path and to determine if a
breakpoint was seen, as was predicted by the theoretical
calculations discussed above. Second, the ratio of the previous
graph with respect to number of photons seen at the first detector
to the number of photons at the last detector across various
wavelengths was plotted. This graph was constructed to monitor the
degree of inflammation across the different sites monitored.
Preliminary Findings & Conclusions:
Analysis of the first patient's spectra revealed discrepancies in
the results. These discrepancies were due to insufficient intensity
at the greatest source-detector distance. Quantification of this
data was not performed.
In regards to patients 2 and 3, a lower initial to final intensity
(detector 1/detector 4) ratio of the two sources was observed when
compared to the control. Table 1 below relates the ratio
values.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Site Control Adult Male Patient 2 Patient 3
Lower Lip 1.49-1.83 0.90-1.3 0.68-0.95 (left lip only) Buccal
Mucosa 1.13-1.24 0.98-1.06 0.78-1.02 (left side only)
This depressed ratio in the patients with a history of leukoplakia
relates to the photon migration difference due to an inflamed
epithelium as compared with a normal non-inflamed epithelium.
Further analysis of this observed difference can be performed to
quantify the epithelial thickness.
Analysis of the logarithmic ratio of the intensity of the light
from the 60.degree. to the 30.degree. source showed a maximum peak
at a distance at or between detectors 2 and 3 in the sites that
were from leukoplakia patients, FIG. 11. While the same graph for
the control patient revealed no peak but rather a log-linear fall
off, FIG. 12. The data from the patients are combined in FIG. 13.
These trends are, qualitatively, in agreement with the theory
plots. The peaks observed in the patients with leukoplakia are
similar to the breakpoint in the theory plots; the peak is the
point where the photon travels through the boundary between the
epithelium and the stroma. The distance at which this peak occurs
is directly related to the thickness of the epithelial layer. The
reason that such a peak was not noted in the control patients' data
is due to the fact that the epithelium in the non-smoking
non-leukoplakia patients was not inflamed. Thus, the epithelial
thickness is smaller and the transition point may be either
undistinguishable or occur before the first source-detector
separation distance. Additionally the value of the logarithmic
ratio was between 0-5, which is in agreement with the theoretical
data.
It is important to note that there was considerable variability of
ratio value both between patients and between different sites on
the same patient. Therefore one cannot make a generalization about
the inflammation across the oral cavity, rather various sites must
be measured and quantified. The degree of inflammation appears to
vary amongst different sites within the patient and from patient to
patient.
Monitoring of the location, specifically source to detector
separation, at which the breakpoint occurs in the logarithmic ratio
of intensity versus distance graphs, will enable an assessment of
the trend in the inflammation of the epithelium and thereby the
efficacy of leukoplakia treatments.
Working Example #2
This example illustrates one method of detecting the boundary
between the epithelium and stroma using a device and method of the
invention. FIG. 14 depicts the probe used in this and the previous
example with the detector and source fibers labeled. The optical
wavelength resolution of the spectrometer used with the probe is 2
nm which spans approximately 6.3 charge coupled device (CCD)
elements. Thus, the measurements oversample with respect to the
optical characteristics of the device, in that measurements may be
duplicative. This may be advantageous by allowing the intensities
in adjacent positions to be averaged in order to reduce noise in
the measurements. In this analysis, intensities of the 10 larger
and smaller CCD elements are averaged so that intensity values used
in the analysis cover a wavelength band of 6.35 nm, which is 3.2
times the fundamental resolution of the instrument.
The spectrum from each of eight source-pair combinations is shown
in FIG. 15. To isolate the effect of the tissue, the filtering and
effects of the source and transmission and detector fibers must be
removed from the intensities measured by the spectrometer.
Due to manufacturing properties of the probe and fibers, each fiber
has different light transmission characteristics. These different
transmission characteristics are primarily due to coupling at the
multiplexer and tissue interfaces. In order to isolate the effect
of the tissues from these and other differences in transmission
characteristics, it is necessary to mathematically remove these
differences.
The measured fiber correction factors from the coupling at the
multiplexer and tissue interfaces are shown in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Fiber d2 Fiber d3 Fiber d4 Fiber d5 Raw
Intensity 2320 2400 2581 2469 Normalized 0.899 0.930 1.000 0.957
Efficiency
This embodiment of the device of the invention has two source
fibers that are connected to separate tungsten halogen lamps. A
correction factor for the fiber transmission characteristics is
also used to account for differences in intensity of the two lamps:
it is assumed that the lamps are identical and differences in light
reaching the tissue are due to the source fibers. The main cause of
different intensities from the two source fibers is internal
reflection at the end of the 60 degree source fiber due to the
sharp angle at the tip of the fiber. The sharp angle of incidence
reduces the light that enters the tissue: empirically,
Is.sub.60(.lamda.)=0.88I.sub.S30(.lamda.) where I.sub.S60(.lamda.)
is the wavelength-dependent intensity at the end of the fiber
connected to the 60-degree source and I.sub.S30(.lamda.) is the
wavelength-dependent intensity at the end of the fiber connected to
the 30-degree light source.
The two source fibers in the probe are at opposite ends of the
probe seen in FIG. 14. If the two sources were on the same side of
the probe at exactly the same point, the distances to the detector
fibers would be identical for each source. It is difficult to have
the two sources at the same location, however, so the probe has the
source fibers on opposite sides. Due to manufacturing tolerances
for positioning the fibers, the distance from the S60 source to its
nearest detector fiber is different from the distance from the S30
source to its nearest detector fiber. A correction must he applied
before the ratio of these two measurements may be taken. Table 3
shows the position for each of the six fibers in the probe. As
expected, it may be seen that the more angled source fiber, S60,
has a larger span.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Point on Fiber S60 Fiber d2 Fiber d3 Fiber
d4 Fiber d5 Fiber S30 Fiber (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) Inside
0.00 1.35 2.33 3.35 4.36 5.64 Edge Center 0.30 1.55 2.59 3.55 4.59
6.03 Outside 0.57 1.76 2.84 3.73 4.88 6.43 Edge
An exponential interpolation scheme was used to correct intensity
measurements for the known source-detector distance errors.
I'(x,x')=e.sup.b(x-x')I (1) where I is the measured intensity at
point z and I' is the desired intensity value at point x'. The
parameter b is obtained by fitting the known intensity data, I(x),
to an exponential function before interpolation.
Given detector intensity measurements, the x position, or offset
from the source, were obtained from the difference in
source-detector positions using the center or edge positions given
in Table 3. Initially, the center-to-center distances were used,
but it was found that the nearest edge-to-edge distance was a
better choice. This was because the intensity falls off
exponentially with distance. The probability is highest that a
detected photon was emitted from the edge of the source fiber that
is closest to the detector and entered the detector on the edge
closest to the source.
In the absence of any photons, the CCD has a small dark current
that accumulates charge and results in a measured intensity. The
measured intensity was a function of both the integration time of
the CCD and the wavelength. Since the intensity values of the
closest and farthest fiber may change by a factor of up to 100, the
integration time of the CCD must be increased for measurements on
the more distant fibers to obtain a signal that was significantly
above the dark-current value, or dark count. This results in
source-detector measurements at different integration times. To
compare measurements made at different integration times, the dark
count must be determined and subtracted from the measurements.
Dark counts for intensities at 2048 wavelengths were collected for
several integration times. The data were fitted to a linear model,
which resulted in the following relationship.
I.sub.d=(.lamda.,t.sub.int)=0.0004.lamda.t.sub.int+0.0537t.sub.int+0.0041-
.lamda.-4.2576 (2) where .lamda. is the wavelength in nanometers
and t.sub.int is the CCD integration time in milliseconds. Typical
values are plotted in FIG. 16.
Putting it all together, the intensity measured by the CCD from the
60 degree source may be written as follows.
I.sub.ccd,S60(.lamda.,t.sub.int)=I.sub.d(.lamda.,t.sub.int)+I.sub.S60(.la-
mda.)H.sub.S60fiberpl.sub.S60,L1H.sub.L1pl.sub.S60,L2H.sub.L2H.sub.S60recf-
iber (3) where H.sub.S60fiber characterizes the source fiber,
pl.sub.S60,L1 is the mean path-length in layer one of photons
emitted by the 60 degree source, pl.sub.S60,L2 is the mean path
length in layer two of photons emitted by the 60 degree source,
H.sub.L1 and H.sub.L2 characterize the optical properties of layer
one and layer two respectively and H.sub.S60recfiber characterizes
the optical properties of the receiver/detector fiber which carries
the photons to the spectrometer.
The ratios plotted in FIG. 17 are:
.times..times..times..times..function..lamda..times..times..times..times.-
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..tim-
es..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..-
times..times..times..times..times. ##EQU00002## where pl.sub.S30,L1
and pl.sub.S30,L2 are mean path-lengths in layer one and layer two
for photons emitted by the 30 degree source. To convert the
measured data as expressed in Eq. 3 to the form in Eq. 4, first the
dark-count, I.sub.d must be subtracted from the raw measurements.
Occasionally, subtracting the dark-count will result in a negative
value. Since the CCD output can never be negative, negative values
are not allowed and zero is used instead. As stated before, it is
assumed that the two source intensities are the same with any
actual differences contained in the respective source-fiber H term.
Correcting also for the different fiber characteristics yields
.times..times..times..times..function..lamda..times..times..function..lam-
da..times..times..function..lamda..times..times..times..times..times..time-
s..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times..t-
imes..times. ##EQU00003## where H.sub.S30fiber characterizes the 30
degree source fiber and H.sub.S30recfiber is for the different
detector fiber used with the 30 degree source. Empirically, the
ratio
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times.
##EQU00004## as stated above. The ratio
.times..times..times..times..times..times..times..times.
##EQU00005## accounts for different coupling efficiencies and
manufacturing errors in fiber position. Using the values given in
Table 2 and 3 with Eq. 1 one gives the values in Table 4.
The underlying theory requires that absorption be on the order of
the same magnitude as scattering. For this to occur in tissue
requires the use of a wavelength with high absorption. Hemoglobin
provides such high absorption for wavelengths between 500 nm and
600 nm as may be seen in FIG. 18.
Since the probe only measures four spatially resolved positions, it
was not possible to quantify thickness by matching to the plots
shown in FIG. 19 (which represents theoretical optical coefficients
closest to those expected in patients). For the clinical work, a
simple feature that indicated an approximate level of inflammation
was desired. As may be seen in FIG. 19, the greater the
inflammation, the greater the intensity ratio becomes at an offset
of 3.8 mm which corresponds to the outermost probe fiber. Further,
the greater the inflammation, the smaller the intensity ratio at an
offset corresponding to the innermost probe fiber of approximately
0.77 mm. Thus, the ratio of the intensity ratio of the outer point
over the inner point will be smaller for healthy patients and
larger for inflamed tissue.
From the foregoing detailed description, the invention has been
described in a preferred embodiment. Modifications and equivalents
of the disclosed concepts are intended to be included within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *