Cambridge Research and Instrumentation receives US patent for spectral imaging of deep tissue

Nov 29 2007

Cambridge Research & Instrumentation (CRi) has announced that the United States Patent Office has issued a notice of allowance for their patent application number 10/669,101, for Spectral Imaging of Deep Tissue.

This method patent covers the use of multispectral imaging combined with spectral unmixing to greatly increase the signal-to-noise level of fluorophores in a living mammal. The unmixing of tissue autofluorescence is a critical component in achieving quantitative, highly sensitive results from fluorophores in vivo. The methodology covered by this allowance broadly covers multispectral imaging hardware and algorithm-based approaches, including the use of CRi's patented liquid crystal tunable filter (LCTF) technology and CRi's image acquisition and data analysis software packages.

"We are pleased to see recognition from the US Patent office for this fundamental patent that teaches quantitative multispectral image analysis of fluorescent samples in living mammals," says Peter Miller, Vice President and Chief Science Officer at CRi. "This patent allowance further strengthens our position in the area of in vivo imaging and further validates CRi's approach to providing customers with effective imaging solutions."

Increasing sophistication in the design and interrogation of biological models and the advent of novel fluorescent probes have lead to new demands on molecular imaging systems to deliver enhanced sensitivity, reliable quantification and the ability to resolve multiple simultaneous signals each separated from the ubiquitous autofluorescence background. Furthermore, orthotopic tumor and disease models are increasingly preferred over less biologically relevant subcutaneous xenografts. CRi has responded to these demands, and with this patent allowance, researchers performing in vivo fluorescence imaging are left with one reasonable choice. That choice is CRi.

CRi is a Boston-based biomedical imaging company providing innovative optical imaging solutions to our customers for more than 20 years. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to working with academic and commercial customers to provide high-value solutions. We provide comprehensive imaging and analysis solutions that enable the user to investigate and characterize biological phenotypes while preserving spatial context. With over 80 patents issued and pending, CRi's solution platforms encompass sub-cellular, cellular and whole animal applications. Our innovations are being utilized around the world to enable new breakthroughs in research, health and medicine.