MOLECULAR CELL IMAGING USING OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY

1 . A method for isolating at least one target cell from at least one cell in a tissue of a subject, the method comprising:

accessing the tissue using an access corridor;

measuring spectra of the at least one cell in the tissue using optical spectroscopy via the access corridor, thereby providing measured spectra of the at least one cell;

comparing the measured spectra of the at least one cell in the tissue to at least one of a database of signature spectra and spectra of cells in surrounding tissue, thereby providing spectral information of the at least one cell;

calculating a probability score to predict whether the at least one target cell is present in the tissue;

using the spectral information of the at least one cell and the probability score to identify the at least one target cell in the tissue, thereby providing at least one identified target cell; and

resecting the at least one identified target cell into a container.

2 . A method for isolating and verifying at least one target cell from at least one cell in a tissue of a subject, the method comprising:

accessing the tissue using an access corridor;

measuring spectra of the at least one cell in the tissue using optical spectroscopy via the access corridor, thereby providing measured spectra of the at least one cell;

comparing the measured spectra of the at least one cell in the tissue to at least one of a database of signature spectra and spectra of cells in surrounding tissue, thereby providing spectral information of the at least one cell;

calculating a probability score to predict whether the at least one target cell is present in the tissue;

using the spectral information of the at least one cell and the probability score to identify the at least one target cell in the tissue, thereby providing at least one identified target cell;

resecting the at least one cell comprising the at least one identified target cell, thereby providing at least one resected cell;

collecting the at least one resected cell through a collection tube into a collection container; and

measuring spectra of the at least one resected cell in at least one of the collection tube and the collection container, thereby providing measured spectra of the at least one resected cell.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising using the measured spectra of the at least one resected cell in at least one of the collection tube and the collection container to sort the at least one identified target cell from the at least one resected cell.

4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising assaying the at least one identified target cell in a model comprising at least one of a cell culture and animal model.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the spectral information of the at least one cell and the probability score to identify the at least one target cell in the tissue comprises identifying at least one of a cancer cell, a stem cell, and a neural cell.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein comparing further comprises using the measured spectra of the at least one cell to identify at least one target cell, using the measured spectra of the at least one cell comprising at least one of:

determining whether the measured spectra of the at least one cell is within a predetermined range of the signature spectra; and

determining whether the measured spectra of the at least one cell is different than the spectra of the cells in the surrounding tissue.

7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein comparing further comprises using the measured spectra of the at least one cell to identify at least one target cell, using the measured spectra of the at least one cell comprising at least one of:

determining whether the measured spectra of the at least one cell is within a predetermined range of the signature spectra; and

determining whether the measured spectra of the at least one cell is different than the spectra of the cells in the surrounding tissue.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein measuring the spectra of the at least one cell in the tissue, using optical spectroscopy via the access corridor, comprises using a sterile probe, using the sterile probe comprising using a probe covered with a sterile waterproof disposable sleeve.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the optical spectroscopy comprises using Raman spectroscopy.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the access corridor comprises using a surgical port.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each of measuring the spectra of the at least one cell, comparing the measured spectra, calculating a probability score, and using the spectral information to identify the at least one target cell in the tissue comprises intraoperatively performing each such step.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each of measuring the spectra of the at least one cell, comparing the measured spectra, calculating a probability score, and using the spectral information to identify the at least one target cell in the tissue comprises intraoperatively performing each such step and recording a set of positional coordinates for the at least one target cell in the tissue.

13 . The method of claim 2 , wherein using the spectral information of the at least one cell and the probability score to identify the at least one target cell in the tissue comprises identifying at least one of a cancer cell, a stem cell, and a neural cell.

14 . The method of claim 2 , wherein measuring the spectra of the at least one cell in the tissue comprises using a sterile probe, using the sterile probe comprising using a probe covered with a sterile waterproof disposable sleeve.

15 . The method of claim 2 , wherein using the optical spectroscopy comprises using Raman spectroscopy.

16 . The method of claim 2 , wherein using the access corridor comprises using a surgical port.

17 . The method of claim 2 , wherein each of measuring the spectra of the at least one cell, comparing the measured spectra, calculating a probability score, and using the spectral information to identify the at least one target cell in the tissue comprises intraoperatively performing each such step.

18 . The method of claim 2 , wherein each of measuring the spectra of the at least one cell, comparing the measured spectra, calculating a probability score, and using the spectral information to identify the at least one target cell in the tissue comprises intraoperatively performing each such step and recording a set of positional coordinates for the at least one target cell in the tissue.

19 . A system for identifying at least one target cell from at least one cell in a tissue of a subject, comprising:

an access corridor for accessing the at least one cell;

a probe connected to means for measuring spectra of the at least one cell by optical spectroscopy through the access corridor, the measuring means providing measured spectra of the at least one cell;

a processor configured to compare the measured spectra of the at least one cell and to calculate a probability score;

means for maintaining the probe in a sterile condition, the maintaining means comprising at least one of a sterilizable probe outer surface and a sterilizable probe outer sleeve;

a resection tool for providing suction and resection of the tissue through the access corridor, whereby resected tissue is providable;

a collection container for holding the resected tissue; and

a collection tube configured to couple the resection tool with the collection container.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the access corridor comprises a surgical port.

21 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the measuring means comprises a Raman spectroscope.

22 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the maintaining means comprises a sterile waterproof disposable sleeve.

23 . The system of claim 19 , wherein at least one of the collection tube and the collection container comprises means for performing a second optical spectroscopic measurement.

24 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the collection container is configured to regulate at least one of: at least one growth factor, an oxygen tension by way of controlling a nitrogen level and an oxygen levels, a carbon dioxide level, a temperature, a pH, and any other parameter crucial to in vivo maintenance of the at least one target cell for maintaining the resected tissue in a physiologic condition.

25 . (canceled)

26 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the collection container is configured to maintain the at least one resected cell in a physiologic condition.

27 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the collection container is configured to maintain the at least one resected cell in a physiologic condition.