System and method for detection of macular degeneration using spectrophotometry
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method of detecting or monitoring macular degeneration in a patient. One embodiment of the present invention includes emitting a first light into the patient's retinal tissue at a first wavelength, emitting a second light into the patient's retinal tissue at a second wavelength, detecting the first and second lights after dispersion by the retinal tissue, and determining an amount of lipid proximate the retinal tissue based on the detected first and second lights.
1 . A sensor for detecting or monitoring macular degeneration in a patient, comprising:
a sensor body;
an emitter disposed on the sensor body adapted to emit at least one wavelength of light through a patient's retina at a lipid-absorbing wavelength in the range of 915 nm to 940 nm or in the range of 1160 nm to 1230 nm; and
a detector disposed on the sensor body adapted to detect the at least one wavelength of light.
2 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.
3 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.
4 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the at least one wavelength of light is approximately 930 nanometers.
5 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the at least one wavelength of light is approximately 1210 nanometers.
6 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 1 , comprising a calibration element adapted to provide at least one signal related to at least one physical characteristic of the sensor.
7 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the calibration element comprises a coded resistor or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.
8 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an optical fiber.
9 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the sensor body is adapted to conform to a patient's eye.
10 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a microneedle.
11 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the emitter is adapted to emit a second wavelength related to a reference signal, and wherein the detector is adapted to detect the second wavelength.
12 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the second wavelength related to a reference signal is between 850 nm and 1350 nm.
13 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the emitter is adapted to emit a third wavelength, and wherein the detector is adapted to detect the third wavelength.
14 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 13 , wherein the second wavelength related to the reference signal is shorter than the first wavelength, and wherein the third wavelength related to the reference signal is longer than the first wavelength.
15 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the emitter is adapted to emit a range of wavelengths between 915 nm to 940 nm or between 1160 nm to 1230 nm.
16 . A method of detecting or monitoring macular degeneration in a patient, comprising:
emitting at least one wavelength of light into a patient's eye at a wavelength in the range of 915 nm to 940 nm or in the range of 1160 nm to 1230 nm;
detecting the light after dispersion by drusen in the eye; and
determining an amount of drusen based on the detected light.
17 . The method, as set forth in claim 16 , emitting the least one wavelength of light comprises inserting a microneedle into the patient's eye.
18 . The method, as set forth in claim 16 , comprising emitting a second wavelength related to a reference signal, and wherein the detector is adapted to detect the second wavelength.
19 . The sensor, as set forth in claim 18 , wherein the second wavelength related to a reference signal is between 850-1380 nm.
20 . The method, as set forth in claim 18 , comprising emitting third wavelength, and wherein the detector is adapted to detect the third wavelength.
21 . The method, as set forth in claim 20 , wherein the second wavelength related to the reference signal is shorter than the first wavelength, and wherein the third wavelength related to the reference signal is longer than the first wavelength.
22 . The method, as set forth in claim 16 , comprising emitting a range of wavelengths between 915 nm to 940 nm or between 1160 nm to 1230 nm.
23 . A system for detecting or monitoring macular degeneration in a patient, comprising:
a sensor comprising:
a sensor body;
an emitter disposed on the sensor body adapted to emit at least one wavelength of light through a patient's retina at a wavelength in the range of 915 nm to 940 nm or in the range of 1160 nm to 1230 nm; and
a detector disposed on the sensor body adapted to detect the at least one wavelength of light; and
a monitor operatively connected to the sensor.
24 . The system, as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the emitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.
25 . The system, as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the detector comprises at least one photodetector.
26 . The system, as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the at least one wavelength of light is approximately 930 nanometers.
27 . The system, as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the at least one wavelength of light is approximately 1210 nanometers.
28 . The system, as set forth in claim 23 , comprising a calibration element adapted to provide at least one signal related to at least one physical characteristic of the sensor.
29 . The system, as set forth in claim 28 , wherein the calibration element comprises a coded resistor or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.
30 . The system, as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the sensor comprises an optical fiber.
31 . The system, as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the sensor body is adapted to conform to a patient's eye.
32 . The system, as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the sensor comprises a microneedle.
33 . The system, as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the emitter is adapted to emit a second wavelength related to a reference signal, and wherein the detector is adapted to detect the second wavelength.
34 . The system, as set forth in claim 33 , wherein the second wavelength related to a reference signal is between 850-1380 nm.
35 . The system, as set forth in claim 33 , wherein the emitter is adapted to emit a third wavelength, and wherein the detector is adapted to detect the third wavelength.
36 . The system, as set forth in claim 35 , wherein the second wavelength related to the reference signal is shorter than the first wavelength, and wherein the third wavelength related to the reference signal is longer than the first wavelength.
37 . The system, as set forth in claim 23 , wherein the emitter is adapted to emit a range of wavelengths between 915 nm to 940 nm or between 1160 nm to 1230 nm.