| abstract |
A bio-spectral imaging system and methods for in situ diagnosis of a disease state in biological tissue or cells of a living organism are provided. In one form, a method includes applying to the tissue or cells in situ a biological stain composition that includes at least one metachromatic dye; performing a spectral analysis to obtain at least one spectrum of the stained tissue or cells; comparing the spectrum with spectra from a library of spectra of similarly stained reference tissue or cells that have been categorized as diseased or non-diseased; and correlating the spectrum to a disease state. The system and methods may be used to diagnose, for example, pre-cancer and/or cancer, as well as diseases caused by various microorganisms. Methods for creating a library of spectra, methods for monitoring the efficiency of photodynamic therapy of diseased biological tissue or cells in vivo, as well as methods for improving the efficiency of photodynamic therapy are also provided. |