How to Take 3D Pictures Inside Human Tissue Using Near-Infrared Light
A system that uses flexible fiber optic cables to map the inside of complex body parts by shining light through them and measuring how it scatters.
Original patent title: “USRE38800E1 - NIR clinical opti-scan system”
A system that uses flexible fiber optic cables to map the inside of complex body parts by shining light through them and measuring how it scatters. Granted to Research Foundation of the State University of New York in 2005 with 42 claims and 25 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to create 3D images of internal body structures by shining near-infrared light into tissue and collecting the light that bounces back out. It uses an adjustable support structure, like a flexible frame, that holds a large array of fiber optic cables against the uneven surface of a body part. These fibers act as both the light source and the light collector, allowing the system to capture data from many different points simultaneously. A detector then measures this scattered light, and a computer uses that data to calculate what the internal tissue looks like in three dimensions.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover imaging techniques that rely on X-rays or ionizing radiation.
- Does not cover systems that lack the specific adjustable fiber-holding assembly for irregular surfaces.
- Does not cover ultrasound or MRI-based imaging methods.
- Does not cover imaging that requires invasive surgical entry into the body.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in the adjustable fiber array that physically conforms to the non-uniform, curved surface of a body part, ensuring consistent contact and data collection across complex shapes.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Optical breast imaging systems
Near-infrared diffuse optical tomography (DOT) scanners
Non-invasive tissue diagnostic devices
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology is significant because it provides a non-invasive way to look inside soft tissue, which is often difficult to image clearly with traditional methods. By using near-infrared light, it can detect differences in how light is absorbed or scattered by different types of tissue, potentially helping to identify tumors or other abnormalities without exposing the patient to harmful radiation.
Filed
June 27, 2002
Granted
September 20, 2005
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Research institutions and medical device companies focused on diffuse optical tomography (DOT) continue to refine these concepts. The original assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, the Research Foundation of the State University of New York, has been a key player in advancing this specific approach to optical imaging.
Market impact
This patent helped formalize the hardware requirements for practical optical tomography, moving it from a theoretical physics concept toward a deployable medical diagnostic tool. It established a framework for using flexible fiber arrays to solve the problem of imaging irregular biological surfaces, influencing subsequent designs in non-invasive diagnostic equipment.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to create 3D images of internal body structures by shining near-infrared light into tissue and collecting the light that bounces back out. It uses an adjustable support structure, like a flexible frame, that holds a large array of fiber optic cables against the uneven surface of a body part. These fibers act as both the light source and the light collector, allowing the system to capture data from many different points simultaneously. A detector then measures this scattered light, and a computer uses that data to calculate what the internal tissue looks like in three dimensions.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in the adjustable fiber array that physically conforms to the non-uniform, curved surface of a body part, ensuring consistent contact and data collection across complex shapes.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover imaging techniques that rely on X-rays or ionizing radiation.
- Does not cover systems that lack the specific adjustable fiber-holding assembly for irregular surfaces.
- Does not cover ultrasound or MRI-based imaging methods.
- Does not cover imaging that requires invasive surgical entry into the body.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
28/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$32K – $104K
Midpoint $65K · expired or expiring · industry ×1.5
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
42 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Barbour, R. L. (2005). How to Take 3D Pictures Inside Human Tissue Using Near-Infrared Light (U.S. Patent No. RE38,800). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE38800/digital-video-recorder-dvr
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How to Take 3D Pictures Inside Human Tissue Using Near-Infrared Light cover?
A system that uses flexible fiber optic cables to map the inside of complex body parts by shining light through them and measuring how it scatters.
Who owns patent US RE38800?
Research Foundation of the State University of New York owns this patent, granted in 2005.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US RE38800 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 25 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology is significant because it provides a non-invasive way to look inside soft tissue, which is often difficult to image clearly with traditional methods. By using near-infrared light, it can detect differences in how light is absorbed or scattered by different types of tissue, potentially helping to identify tumors or other abnormalities without exposing the patient to harmful radiation.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover imaging techniques that rely on X-rays or ionizing radiation.
Patent monitoring