WO2006087209A1 - Device and method for identifying tissue taken from the human or animal body - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device and a method for identifying tissue taken from the human or animal body and/or the state of the tissue. Identification is simple and quick and involves determining the size distribution of the veins in a tissue section and the speed distribution of the blood flow through the veins and then comparing those values with comparative data relating to known tissues and/or states.

Description

Device and method for the determination of tissue of the human or animal body

The present invention relates to a device and a method for the determination of tissue of the human or animal body and / or a state of the tissue as well as their use for the recognition of the effect of a drug or medicament.

The determination of a tissue (ie identification of a tissue) or the determination of a condition of a tissue (ie, for example, malignant, benign, underserved or the like). So far, usually done by a biopsy and a subsequent laboratory examination. During an operation, a so-called quick cut is performed, in which case the surgical team often has to wait until the result is available.

It is already known from WO 97/15229 A1 to optically determine in a tissue the hemoglobin concentration in the blood, the number of white blood cells, an average cell volume, the number of red blood cells, the hematocrit value or the like. Furthermore, the perfusion state or the microcirculation in a tissue region can be determined in this way.

The present invention has for its object to provide a device and a method for the determination of tissue of the human or animal body and / or the condition of the tissue and their use for detecting the effect of a drug or drug, the determination or detection in particular non-invasive, easy and fast, especially without laboratory tests, can be done.

The above object is achieved by a device according to claim 1, a method according to claim 7 or a use according to claim 12. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

One aspect of the present invention is that tissue data of a

Tissue region optically detected and compared with comparative data of known tissues or states. Depending on the match the tissue data with the comparative data, the result, namely the tissue or the type of tissue and / or its condition or the tissue and / or conditions in question, determined. Thus, it is possible in a very simple, inexpensive and fast way to identify a tissue or at least to specify the primary eligible tissue. Alternatively or additionally, this makes it possible for the respective state of the examined tissue or the states in question, for example whether the tissue is well or poorly perfused, to be good or malignant or the like, with minimal effort and, above all, very quickly detect.

Another aspect of the present invention is that both the sizes and / or number of leads and the rate of blood flow in the leads are detected as tissue data. In particular, by correlating the size or number and the flow velocities, a very good, largely unambiguous characterization and thus identification of a tissue and / or state is possible.

Another aspect of the present invention is that preferably the size distribution of veins and / or the velocity distribution of the blood flow in the veins, in particular depending on the diameter of the veins, are detected in a tissue area with multiple veins as tissue data. This allows a particularly good characterization and thus identification of tissue.

The proposed device and the proposed method can for example be used directly during an operation. The tissue data of a tissue area with multiple veins of a tissue to be examined are optically detected and preferably compared directly with stored comparison data so that the result can be determined and displayed to the surgeon or surgical team - virtually without delay. As a result, it is then in particular indicated which tissue is concerned or which tissue is suitable. Alternatively or additionally, it is indicated in which state the examined tissue is or which states are in question. Particularly preferably, the respective probability or correlation with comparison data is given in the determination or display of candidate tissues and / or states. This allows a very good assessment, in particular the reliability, of the result.

Another advantage of the proposed device and the proposed method is in addition to the rapid availability of the result is that the effort compared to the usual use of tissue in the laboratory, especially by making cuts, staining and assessment in the microscope, omitted. Accordingly, even in non-urgent matters with the proposed device and the proposed method of laboratory work can be significantly reduced.

Another advantage is that with the proposed device and the proposed method no biopsy, so no tissue removal is required. In this way possible risks from tissue removal can be avoided. In addition, it is for example possible to use the proposed device and the proposed method in catheter examinations in which a biopsy is more difficult or associated with greater risks.

In addition to the applications mentioned, however, the proposed device and the proposed method can also be used, for example, to detect the effect of an active ingredient or medicament or, if appropriate, to continuously monitor tissue. Faster detection or even continuous monitoring can achieve much greater safety and / or more accurate dosing.

Further aspects, features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawing. It shows:

1 shows a schematic representation of a proposed device; - A -

Fig. 2 is a size distribution of lung tissue;

Fig. 3 shows a velocity distribution of lung tissue;

4 shows a size distribution of tongue tissue; and

Fig. 5 is a velocity distribution of tongue tissue.

1 shows a schematic representation of a proposed device 1 for determining tissue 2 of the human or animal body and / or the condition of the tissue 2. The term "determination of tissue" in the present invention is to be understood as meaning that the tissue thus the respective tissue type is identified.

The device 1 has a detection device 3 for detecting tissue data of the tissue 2 to be examined. The detection takes place in particular optically. Correspondingly, the detection device 3 preferably comprises a suitable optical device 4, as shown schematically in FIG. 1, or the like. With regard to the optical detection and the evaluation of the optical data, reference is made by way of example to WO 97/15229 A1, which is introduced in this regard as a supplementary disclosure and discloses ways of device and procedural implementation.

For optical detection, the tissue 2 to be examined is preferably illuminated in order, for example, to be able to record optical signals by means of a camera. The lighting can basically be done by ambient light. However, a targeted illumination preferably takes place, for example, by means of a lighting device, not shown, separate from the device 1 or a lighting device integrated into the device 1. For lighting, white light, colored light or laser light can be used as required.

By means of the detection device 3 or its optical device 4, a tissue region 5 with veins, in particular capillaries K, of the tissue 2 is examined optically. The tissue data is then determined or detected from the optical signals. In particular, the sizes and / or number of the veins and the speeds of blood flow in the veins are detected as tissue data.

In the size of the diameter of the wires or a related value, such as the cross-sectional area or the like., In particular, the diameter is detected, most preferably the average diameter.

The number of wires represents a measure of how many wires are present in a certain volume range or in the entire optically detected or evaluated fabric area 5. Preferably, an additional evaluation takes place with regard to the size, in particular with regard to the diameter. This results in a size distribution, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2.

In the diagram in FIG. 2, as in the other diagrams according to FIGS. 3 to 5, the x-axis indicates the preferably average diameter of the detected wires in μm. In Fig. 2, the y-axis indicates the number of respective cores having a corresponding diameter, not in absolute values, but in% in the present illustration. This is a normalized size distribution.

In Fig. 2, the black bars and the solid line show by way of example the size distribution of healthy lung tissue with normally opened alveolar capillaries. In contrast, the white bars and the associated dashed line show the size distribution when the capillaries are more closed. This may be the case, for example, with smokers or after using a drug that blocks capillaries. Such capillaries can also characterize abnormal lung tissue.

By means of the detection device 3 or optical unit 4 is preferably carried out additionally or alternatively for detecting the size distribution and a detection of the velocity distribution. FIG. 3 shows, by way of example, the velocity distribution in the lung tissue whose size distribution is shown in FIG. The y-axis in Fig. 3 indicates the speed, in particular the mean flow velocity in the individual wires in μm / s as a function of the already mentioned diameter of the wires (plotted on the x-axis).

In Fig. 3, the black bars and solid line again show the exemplary distribution of healthy lung tissue. By contrast, the white bars and the dashed line indicate the distribution that results for the lung tissue with less open alveolar capillaries.

Figs. 4 and 5 show similar to Figs. 2 and 3 distributions, which were detected in tongue tissue. 4 shows a corresponding size distribution of the wires in the examined tissue area 5, FIG. 5 shows the corresponding velocity distribution of the blood flow in the wires. The black bars and solid lines show the values of treated tongue tissue. The white bars and dashed lines show the values of healthy tongue tissue.

From FIGS. 2 to 5 it can be seen that the mentioned distributions differ both as a function of the respective type of tissue and of the respective condition of the tissue 2. Accordingly, the determination of the examined tissue 2 or its state is possible in the presence of appropriate comparative data. This will be discussed later.

The solid and dashed lines in FIGS. 2 to 5 show the respectively resulting curves in an approximation of the values determined by polynomials. The resulting curves show some tendency of the respective changes. However, experiments have shown that an approximation by polynomials and their comparison, ie a comparison of the coefficients of the polynomials, is often insufficient.

Preferably, both the size distribution and the velocity distribution-or corresponding distributions or values-with respect to the tissue 2 to be examined or its tissue region 5 are determined by the detection device 3 and provided as tissue data. The device 1 has an evaluation device 6 for comparing the tissue data with comparison data of known tissues 2 and / or known states. The comparison data are stored for example in an associated memory 7 or accessible in some other way. For example, the comparison data can also be accessed via a data connection or the Internet, at least relevant comparison data. For example, it is also possible that the required comparison data requested via the data connection or the Internet, then transmitted to the evaluation device 6 and compared there with the tissue data.

Depending on the agreement of the tissue data with the comparison data, the result is determined and preferably displayed by means of an associated display device 8. Additionally or alternatively, however, the result can also be stored, printed out, output via an interface and / or further processed in any other way.

The device 1 or its components can be integrated in a device and / or realized by means of a computer or software.

For comparison of the tissue data and the comparison data, that is, in particular the size distributions and the velocity distributions, preferably digital filters, correlation function, Fourier transforms and the like can be used. Cross-correlations between the respective size distributions of the tissue data and the comparison data on the one hand and the velocity distributions of the tissue data and the comparison data on the other hand are particularly preferably determined. If necessary, these cross-correlations can also or exclusively be determined only for the products, in particular cross products, from the respective size and velocity distribution.

However, in addition or as an alternative, other evaluation algorithms which are used in particular for the acquisition and evaluation of spectra or distributions can also be used.

Preferably, during the detection and / or evaluation, a restriction is made with regard to the cores considered. Especially Only veins up to a predetermined maximum size, for example, a maximum diameter of 20 or 30 microns, are considered. Alternatively or additionally, corresponding or comparable limit values can also be used with regard to the flow velocities in the wires. For example, only wires can be considered, in which the speed exceeds a certain minimum value and / or does not exceed a predetermined maximum value. In this way, the determined data, ie both the tissue data and the comparison data, can be made more comparable and / or unwanted variants of the data can be reduced.

The comparison data are preferably detected with a corresponding device 1 or a corresponding detection device 3 with corresponding optical device 4 or the like in known tissues with known states and stored in a suitable manner, in particular in a database, or made available, for example via a via the Internet accessible database server or the like, as already explained above.

As a result, the tissue 2 to be examined is preferably determined, that is to say the type of tissue identified, and / or the state of the tissue 2 determined. In each case, it can be specified in each case with what probability the determination has taken place.

Alternatively or additionally, as a result, the tissue 2 and / or states in question can also be determined and, in particular, displayed, with the respective probabilities preferably being specified.

The proposed device 1 and the proposed method allow a very fast, simple and therefore cost-effective determination of tissue of the human or animal body and / or the state of the tissue, in particular the determination of a result in the above sense. This can be used very advantageously in operations, for example by means of the optical device 4 directly on the open patient and / or by means of a catheter, the tissue data of the to be examined tissue 2 optically detected and then evaluated accordingly.

However, other different applications are possible. For example, the proposed device 1 and the proposed method for detecting or monitoring the effect of a drug or drug can be used. In addition, a continuous monitoring - for example, for the timely detection of possibly occurring, critical conditions or the like - possible.

The proposed device and the proposed method can be used not only for operations, but also independently for determining a tissue or a state of a tissue. In particular, the tissue condition and, moreover, other conditions or influences relating to blood circulation, blood or other body values can be detected and / or monitored. This detection or monitoring is particularly preferably in tongue tissue, that is, for example, under the tongue, and / or in the nose of a patient.

According to a particularly preferred variant, the proposed device 1 and the proposed method for monitoring the effect of a drug or drug can be used. In particular, it is thus possible for the first time to carry out continuous, continuous monitoring of the effect of the medicament or drug. In particular, a non-invasive, continuous monitoring or - if desired - a monitoring at certain times with extremely little effort possible. If necessary, the device 1 can be designed to be mobile and attached to the patient in such a way that the patient can pursue other activities with the device 1 virtually undisturbed. The device 1 then preferably stores continuously the desired data or results.

Claims

claims: Device (1) for the determination of tissue (2) of the human or animal body and / or the condition of the tissue (2), with a detection device (3) for detecting the size distribution of veins and / or the velocity distribution of the blood flow in the Cores in a tissue region (5) with multiple cores as tissue data, with an evaluation device (6) for comparing the tissue data with reference data of known tissues (2) and / or states, depending on the correspondence of the tissue data with the comparison data, the result, namely the tissue (2) and / or its state or the tissue (2) and / or states in question can be determined. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the correlation, in particular cross-correlation, between the tissue data and the comparison data is calculated as a measure of the match. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (1) has a display device (8) for displaying the result. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, character- ized in that the tissue data are preferably measured only optically. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that only veins up to a maximum size and / or with a minimum or maximum flow rate are taken into account in the detection of the tissue data and / or the comparison of the tissue data with the comparison data. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, character- ized in that the device (1) has a memory (7) for storing or providing the comparison data. 7. A method for the determination of tissue (2) of the human or animal body and / or the condition of the tissue (2), wherein in a tissue region (5) having a plurality of leads, both the sizes and / or number of leads and the velocities of the Blood flow in the veins are detected as tissue data, wherein the tissue data with comparison data known tissue (2) and / or known states are compared and depending on the coincidence of the tissue data with the comparison data, the result, namely the tissue (2) and / or its state or the tissue (2) and / or conditions in question is determined. 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that distribution (s) of the sizes and / or speeds, preferably in each case depending on the diameter of the wires, are used as tissue data and / or comparative data. 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the correlation, in particular cross-correlation, between the tissue data and the Comparison data is used as a measure of the match. 10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the tissue data are preferably measured only optically. 11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that in the detection and / or evaluation only veins are taken into account whose size is below a predetermined or predetermined maximum size and / or their flow velocity below a predetermined or predetermined maximum value. 12. Use of a device (1) or a method according to any one of the preceding claims for detecting the effect of a drug or medicament, wherein the tissue data are repeatedly detected and stored as comparison data, wherein changes in the state of the tissue (2) detected and in particular be displayed.