NU 2011-114 

Inventors

Ji Yi 

Vadim Backman* 

Abstract

Northwestern researchers have developed a novel, robust method that can be used in commercially available OCT devices called inverse scattering OCT or iSOCT. This technology offers the ability to identify tissue elements at the nano-scale (40nm-1¬µm) range and to measure a complete set of the optical properties for a tissue structure without any a priori knowledge of the underlying structure of that tissue. The method enables detailed analysis of biological tissues at spatial resolutions previously unattainable. In this respect, the systems and method provide powerful imaging tools for use in a variety of biological investigations, including incisive pathological determinations and clinical diagnoses. In particular, the disclosed method and system enable detection of alterations in density correlation functions that can be used as accurate biomarkers of carcinogenesis and other disease states. Currently, the code is written in MATLAB. 

Applications  

• Early diagnosis of cancer
• Research tool: Imaging

Advantages

• Tissue analysis at nano-scale range
• Compatible with commercially available OCT devices

IP Status

Issued US Patent No. 10,241,041.