INNOVATION:  UCLA researchers have created a fast, low-cost, and non-invasive approach for diagnosing various diseases. The technology takes advantage of the temporal response of endogenous fluorophores to a pulse of excitation light. A non-invasive optometric device is used to measure skin autofluorescence which depends on the health of the skin's patient.

The optometric device can be used to diagnose any disease affecting the auto-fluorescence of the skin. Examples include hyper-pigmentation diagnosis of non-melanoma skin cancer, photo-aging caused by UV, and monitoring utriculus. It can also be used to determine the depth and size of a cancerous lesion and changes in skin morphology.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• Diseases that exhibit auto-fluorescence of the skin can be diagnosed or monitored with the device. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Diabetes.
  • Skin cancer.
  • Acne.
  • Photo-aging.
• The device can also be used to monitor fluorescence from analyte sensors embedded in the human body, under the skin for example.

ADVANTAGES

• This optometric diagnostic device provides several advantages, including:
  • low-cost.
  • non-invasive.
  • no fasting required.
  • easy to operate for routine check up.
• The device uses low power and non-ionizing radiation, and accommodates patient movement.

Selected Paper

Katika KM, Pilon L. Appl Opt. 2006 Jun 10;45(17):4174-83. (Link)

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2004-657

Patent Application: WO 2006/009910