Examination of subjects using photon migration with high directionality techniques

Abstract

A spectroscopic method and system for examination of biological tissue includes multiple input ports optically connected to at least one light source, multiple detection ports optically connected to at least one detector, a radiation pattern controller coupled to the light source and detector, and a processor. The multiple input ports are arranged to introduce light at input locations into biological tissue and the multiple detection ports are arranged to collect light from detection locations of the biological tissue. The radiation pattern controller is constructed to control patterns of light introduced from the multiple input ports and constructed to control detection of light migrating to the multiple detection ports. The processor is operatively connected to the radiation pattern controller and connected to receive detector signals from the detector, and is constructed to examine a tissue region based on the introduced and detected light patterns.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
   
   
       36 . A system for spectroscopic examination of a subject, positioned between input and detection ports of the spectroscopic system applied to the subject, comprising:
 a light source adapted to introduce, at an input port, electromagnetic non-ionizing radiation of a known time-varying pattern of photon density and of a wavelength selected to be scattered and absorbed by a fluorescent constituent while migrating in the subject, said input port being placed as a selected location on the subject to locate said fluorescent constituent of the subject,   detectors adapted to detect over time, at multiple detection ports placed at selected locations on the subject, fluorescent radiation that has migrated in the subject,   processing means adapted to process signals of said detected radiation in relation to said introduced radiation to create processed data indicative of location of said fluorescent constituent of the subject, and   evaluation means adapted to examine said subject by correlating said processed data with the locations of said input and output ports.   
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 36  further comprising displacement means adapted to move at least one of said detection ports to another location on a predetermined geometric pattern, said other location being used to locate said fluorescent constituent of the subject. 
   
   
       38 - 43 . (canceled) 
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 36  wherein said radiation is modulated at a frequency that enables resolution of the phase shift that originates during migration of photons in the subject. 
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 44  wherein said frequency is on the order of 10 8  Hz. 
   
   
       46 - 47 . (canceled)