Robert W McClane
Land Surveyors in Salt Lake City, UT

5873831, Feb 23, 1999

Mar 13, 1997

8/815936

Paul S. Bernstein - Salt Lake City UT
Werner Gellermann - Salt Lake City UT
Robert W. McClane - Salt Lake City UT

The University of Utah Technology Transfer Office - Salt Lake City UT

A61B 600

600473

The present invention is directed to a new and useful method and apparatus for use in determining the levels of macular pigments in the tissue of live subjects. Specifically, the method and apparatus of the present invention provide a non-invasive, rapid, and objective determination of the macular carotenoid levels, and in turn, offer valuable diagnostic information applicable to large populations. The present invention measures the levels of macular carotenoid pigments, as well as other retinal materials. Monochromatic laser light is projected onto a retina, preferably in the macular area. A very sensitive detection system then detects light scattered from the retina. The majority of the light is scattered elastically at the same wavelength of the laser in a manner known as Rayleigh scattering. A very small fraction of laser light is scattered inclastically at a wavelength different from that of the laser in a manner known as Raman scattering. The Raman scattered light is selected and then routed to a detection system, wherein the results are calibrated against actual standards for the particular retinal material being tested.

6205354, Mar 20, 2001

Jun 18, 1999

9/335932

Werner Gellermann - Salt Lake City UT
Robert W. McClane - Salt Lake City UT
Nikita B. Katz - Salt Lake City UT
Paul S. Bernstein - Salt Lake City UT

University of Utah - Salt Lake City UT

A61B 600

600477

A method and apparatus are provided for the determination of levels of carotenoids and similar chemical compounds in biological tissue such as living skin. The method and apparatus provide a noninvasive, rapid, accurate, and safe determination of carotenoid levels which in turn can provide diagnostic information regarding cancer risk, or can be a marker for conditions where carotenoids or other antioxidant compounds may provide diagnostic information. Such early diagnostic information allows for the possibility of preventative intervention. The method and apparatus utilize the technique of resonance Raman spectroscopy to measure the levels of carotenoids and similar substances in tissue. In this technique, laser light is directed upon the area of tissue which is of interest. A small fraction of the scattered light is scattered inelastically, producing the carotenoid Raman signal which is at a different frequency than the incident laser light, and the Raman signal is collected, filtered, and measured.

7215420, May 8, 2007

Mar 22, 2002

10/472010

Werner Gellerman - Salt Lake City UT, US
Robert McClane - Salt Lake City UT, US
Paul S. Bernstein - Salt Lake City UT, US

G01J 3/44, G01N 21/65

356301, 356 72

A spectroscopic method, preferably Raman scattering, is used to rapidly determine the general health or stress status of living plants and plant products, including agricultural crops, forests, and harvested fruits and vegetables. In the preferred embodiments, carotenoid levels are used to provide an indication of oxidative deterioration. Based upon the results of the analysis, further action may or may not be taken, for example, in terms of choosing, picking, harvesting or sorting the agricultural product in accordance with the carotenoid level. Concentration levels of an analyte substance can be determined relative to an external standard, to each other, or relative to another substance in the item being analyzed. Carotenoids such as lycopene, beta-carotene, lutein, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, antheraxanthin, and zeaxanthin are determined according to the invention, through other plant components may be analyzed such as other terpenes, polyenes, chlorophyll, proteins, starches, sugars, overall nitrogen levels, flavonoids, and vitamins. The hardware associated with the invention may be field portable or mounted on a piece of equipment such as a harvester or sorter.

7039452, May 2, 2006

Jan 7, 2002

10/040883

Robert W. McClane - Salt Lake City UT, US
Werner Gellermann - Salt Lake City UT, US
Paul S. Bernstein - Salt Lake City UT, US

The University of Utah Research Foundation - Salt Lake City UT

A61B 5/05

600424, 600407, 600473, 600475, 600476, 600477, 600478, 356301, 356303, 606 2, 606 3, 606 4, 606 10

A method and apparatus are provided for Raman imaging of carotenoids and related chemical substances in biological tissue, such as macular pigments. The method and apparatus utilize the technique of resonance Raman spectroscopy to produce an image of the levels of carotenoids and similar substances in tissue. In this technique, light is directed upon the area of tissue which is of interest such as the retina of an eye. A small fraction of the scattered light is scattered inelastically, producing a carotenoid Raman signal which is at a different frequency than the incident light. The Raman signal is collected, filtered, and analyzed to determine the spatial position and intensity of the Raman signals in the inelastically scattered light. An image of the Raman signals is then produced on an output device, with the image representing the spatial distribution and concentration level of carotenoids in the tissue.