A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF UNHEALTHY CELLS IN LIVE TISSUES, BASED ON SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF THEIR OPTICAL RADIATION

摘要

Method and apparatus for the accurate detection of abnormal cells in an inspected live tissue. An optical receiver that comprises an active receiving area, such as a thermocouple, and has at least one pair of output contacts is provided. The optical receiver is capable of outputting a first electric signal that represents the optical energy received on the receiving area. at least a portion of the optical energy emitted from a surface being subjacent to the inspected live tissue and characterized by its emissivity factor, is received. The first electrical signal and the first value of the temperature of the receiving area are measured and the temperature of the receiving area is changed to a second value by applying a second electrical signal, representing a different level of optical energy to the pair. The temperature of the inspected live tissue and the emissivity factor are calculated using the first and second values and the first and second signals. The value of a third electrical signal, representing the actual value of the optical energy distributed within predetermined wavelength range, that corresponds to the calculated temperature, is measured by using the calculated temperature and the emissivity factor, and that value is compared to an expected value for the range and the calculated temperature. Indications regarding the presence of abnormal cells are obtained whenever the measured value of the third electrical signal essentially differs from the expected value.