Bioimaging system and bioimaging method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a bioimaging system and a bioimaging method. A bioimaging system includes multiple light emitters configured to irradiate light and multiple sensors configured to detect light reflected by internal tissue of a living organism. Each sensor includes multiple light detecting elements having different absorption peak wavelengths relative to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] A bioimaging system and a bioimaging method are disclosed. Background Art

[0002] Various devices for obtaining images of internal tissues of a living body (such as blood vessels) have been used for various purposes, such as medical care or security. For example, images of internal tissues of a living body can be effectively obtained by irradiating the skin with a light source and using a camera.

[0003] However, since an image obtained by this method may include all images of skin and blood vessels located at points through which light passes, there is a limitation in selectively obtaining an image of a target in vivo tissue. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Some example embodiments provide a biological imaging system capable of acquiring images of in vivo tissue located at a specific depth.

[0005] Some example embodiments provide a bio-imaging method using the bio-imaging system.

[0006] According to some example embodiments, a biological imaging system includes: a plurality of light emitters configured to radiate light; and a plurality of sensors configured to detect light scattered or reflected by internal tissue of a living body, wherein each of the plurality of sensors includes a plurality of light detection elements having different absorption peak wavelengths relative to each other.

[0007] The plurality of light detecting elements may be stacked one upon another.

[0008] Each absorption peak wavelength of the plurality of light detection elements may be within a visible wavelength spectrum to an infrared wavelength spectrum.

[0009] Each absorption peak wavelength of the plurality of light detecting elements may be within a range of about 450 nm to about 1200 nm.

[0010] A difference between absorption peak wavelengths of the plurality of light detecting elements may be greater than or equal to about 10 nm.

[0011] The emission spectrum of each of the plurality of light emitters may include the corresponding absorption peak wavelength of the plurality of light detection elements.

[0012] The multiple light detection elements of each sensor among the multiple sensors may include a first light detection element and a second light detection element stacked one on top of another, the first light detection element may include a first absorption layer configured to selectively detect light in a first wavelength spectrum (e.g., a first absorption spectrum) having a first absorption peak wavelength, and the second light detection element may include a second absorption layer configured to selectively detect light in a second wavelength spectrum (e.g., a second absorption spectrum) having a second absorption peak wavelength, the second absorption peak wavelength being longer than the first absorption peak wavelength.

[0013] Each of the multiple sensors may include: a first electrode on a surface of a first absorption layer of a first light detection element of the sensor; a second electrode on a surface of a second absorption layer of a second light detection element of the sensor; and a third electrode facing the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, and between the first absorption layer and the second absorption layer, wherein the third electrode may be a common electrode of the first light detection element and the second light detection element.

[0014] Each of the multiple sensors may also include a third light detection element stacked on the second light detection element and an insulating layer between the first light detection element and the second light detection element and between the second light detection element and the third light detection element, and the third light detection element may include a third absorption layer configured to detect light in a third wavelength spectrum (e.g., a third absorption spectrum) having a third absorption peak wavelength, which is longer than the second absorption peak wavelength.

[0015] The biological imaging system may further include a stretchable substrate configured to support the plurality of light emitters and the plurality of sensors.

[0016] The retractable substrate may include a plurality of first regions having a first elastic modulus and second regions between adjacent first regions in the plurality of first regions and having a second elastic modulus, the first elastic modulus being higher than the second elastic modulus, and the plurality of light emitters and the plurality of sensors may be in separate corresponding first regions in the plurality of first regions of the retractable substrate.

[0017] The bio-imaging system may include a light emitter-sensor array in which the plurality of light emitters and the plurality of sensors are alternately arranged.

[0018] The bio-imaging system may include a light emitter array in which the plurality of light emitters are arranged and a sensor array in which the plurality of sensors are arranged, and the light emitter array and the sensor array may be disposed at different heights from the retractable base plate.

[0019] The biological imaging system may further include a light diffusion layer between the light emitter array and the sensor array.

[0020] The biological imaging system may further include at least one of a driving unit (eg, a processing circuit) and a display unit (eg, a display panel).

[0021] According to some example embodiments, a bioimaging method includes: fixing the bioimaging system on the skin of a living body; activating the multiple light emitters to irradiate light onto the skin; and selectively sensing the scattered or reflected light in each of the multiple light detection elements of at least one sensor among the multiple sensors based on the wavelength spectrum of the light scattered or reflected by the internal tissue of the living body through the skin to obtain multiple images.

[0022] The biological imaging method may further include extracting differences between the plurality of images to obtain a plurality of “depth” images of internal tissue of the living body according to depths from the surface of the skin.

[0023] The multiple light detection elements of each of the multiple sensors may include: a first light detection element configured to detect light in a first absorption spectrum having a first absorption peak wavelength; a second light detection element configured to detect light in a second absorption spectrum having a second absorption peak wavelength longer than the first absorption peak wavelength; and a third light detection element configured to detect light in a third absorption spectrum having a third absorption peak wavelength longer than the second absorption peak wavelength, wherein obtaining the multiple depth images of the internal tissue of the living body according to the depth from the surface of the skin may include: extracting a first depth image of the internal tissue of the living body at a first depth from the surface of the skin from a first difference between the first image obtained by the first light detection element and the second image obtained by the second light detection element; and extracting a second depth image of the internal tissue of the living body at a second depth deeper than the first depth from a second difference between the third image obtained by the third light detection element and the second image obtained by the second light detection element.

[0024] The biological imaging method may further include combining the plurality of depth images of the internal tissue of the living body to obtain a three-dimensional image of the internal tissue of the living body.

[0025] Internal tissues of a living body may include blood vessels.

[0026] High-resolution images of internal tissues at specific depths can be obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a biological imaging system according to some example embodiments,

[0028] Figure 2yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an example of a biological imaging system taken along line II-II',

[0029] Figure 3A and Figure 3B It shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example graph of an emission spectrum of a light emitter and an absorption spectrum of a sensor of a biological imaging system,

[0030] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a sensor according to an example,

[0031] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is shown in the included Figure 4 A graph showing an example of an emission spectrum of a light emitter and an absorption spectrum of a sensor in a bio-imaging system of a sensor,

[0032] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a sensor according to an example,

[0033] Figure 7A and Figure 7B It is shown that Figure 6 A graph of an example of wavelength spectra of a light emitter and sensor of a bio-imaging sensor system,

[0034] Figure 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a method of obtaining image information of internal tissue of a living body using a biological imaging system according to some example embodiments,

[0035] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the use of Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an example of a method for obtaining image information of internal tissue of a living body using a biological imaging system,

[0036] Figure 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of a method of obtaining image information of internal tissue of a living body using a biological imaging system according to some example embodiments,

[0037] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the use of Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of another example of a method of obtaining image information of internal tissue of a living body by a biological imaging system,

[0038] Figure 12 is a plan view illustrating an example of a biological imaging system according to some example embodiments,

[0039] Figure 13 yes Figure 12A cross-sectional view of an example of a biological imaging system taken along line XIII-XIII',

[0040] Figure 14 yes Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of another example of a biological imaging system taken along line XIII-XIII',

[0041] Figure 15 is a diagram showing a blood vessel image and spatial distribution obtained according to Example 1,

[0042] Figure 16 is a graph showing signals obtained from a first light detecting element and a second light detecting element of a biological imaging system according to Example 2,

[0043] Figure 17 By separating and extracting Figure 16 The graph shown is obtained by calculating the difference between the signals of the first light detecting element and the second light detecting element.

[0044] Figure 18 is a graph showing signals obtained from a first light detecting element and a second light detecting element of a biological imaging system according to Example 3,

[0045] Figure 19 By separating and extracting Figure 18 A graph showing the difference between the signals of the first light detecting element and the second light detecting element, and

[0046] Figure 20 is a graph showing signals obtained from a stacked lower light detecting element, a middle light detecting element, and an upper light detecting element of a biological imaging system according to Example 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Hereinafter, implementation examples will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. However, the structure of actual application can be implemented in various forms and is not limited to the example embodiments described herein.

[0048] In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when an element, such as a layer, film, region, or substrate, is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements and / or spaces present (e.g., the elements are in direct contact with each other).

[0049] When the term "about" or "substantially" is used in conjunction with a numerical value in this specification, it is intended that the relevant numerical value includes a tolerance of ±10% around the numerical value. When a range is specified, the range includes all values ​​therebetween, such as increments of 0.1%.

[0050] Hereinafter, a bio-imaging system according to some example embodiments will be described.

[0051] A biological imaging system is an imaging device that can provide spatial distribution information (such as position, shape, size, and / or thickness) of internal tissues (such as blood vessels) of a living body.

[0052] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a biological imaging system according to some example embodiments, Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an example of a biological imaging system taken along line II-II', Figure 3A and Figure 3B It shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example graph of the emission spectrum of a light emitter and the absorption spectrum of a sensor of a biological imaging system.

[0053] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to some example embodiments, the biological imaging system 100 includes: a substrate 110; a light emitter-sensor array 200, including a plurality of light emitters 210 and a plurality of sensors 220 arranged on the substrate 110; and (optionally) a packaging film 260 covering the light emitter-sensor array 200.

[0054] The substrate 110 may be disposed below the light emitter-sensor array 200 to support (e.g., structurally support) the plurality of light emitters 210 and the plurality of sensors 220. Structurally supporting the light emitters 210 and sensors 220 may include maintaining the light emitters 210 and sensors 220 in a specific structural and / or spatial arrangement within the bioimaging system 100. The substrate 110 may be a portion that contacts or is disposed near a living organism and may have a high light transmittance so that light irradiated from the light emitters 210 and light reflected by the internal tissues of the living organism can pass therethrough. The substrate 110 may have, for example, a light transmittance of approximately 70% or greater, approximately 75% or greater, approximately 80% or greater, approximately 85% or greater, approximately 90% or greater, approximately 95% or greater, approximately 97% or greater, approximately 98% or greater, or approximately 99% or greater.

[0055] For example, the substrate 110 may be a stretchable substrate that can flexibly respond to external forces or external motions (such as twisting, pressing, and pulling) and can easily return to its original state.

[0056] The retractable substrate may include a retractable material such as an elastomer or be made of a retractable material such as an elastomer, and the retractable material may include an organic elastomer, an organic / inorganic elastomer, an inorganic elastomer-like material, or a combination thereof. The organic elastomer or organic / inorganic elastomer may be, for example, a substituted or unsubstituted polyorganosiloxane (such as polydimethylsiloxane), an elastomer including a substituted or unsubstituted butadiene group (such as styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), an elastomer including a urethane group, an elastomer including an acrylic group, an elastomer including an olefin group, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The inorganic elastomer-like material may include an elastic ceramic, a solid metal, a liquid metal, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] The substrate 110 may include regions having different rigidity, for example, a first region 110a having relatively high rigidity and a second region 110b having relatively lower rigidity than the first region 110a. Rigidity may refer to the degree of resistance to deformation when a force is applied from the outside. Relatively high rigidity may mean relatively high resistance to deformation, resulting in low deformation, while relatively low rigidity may mean relatively low resistance to deformation, resulting in high deformation.

[0058] Stiffness can be evaluated from the elastic modulus, and a high elastic modulus can mean high stiffness and a low elastic modulus can mean low stiffness. The elastic modulus can be, for example, Young's modulus. The elastic modulus of the first region 110a can be higher than the elastic modulus of the second region 110b. The difference between the elastic moduli of the first region 110a and the second region 110b of the substrate 110 can be about 100 times or more, and the elastic modulus of the first region 110a can be about 100 times the elastic modulus of the second region 110b. Within the above range, the difference between the elastic moduli of the first region 110a and the second region 110b can be about 100 to 100,000 times, and the elastic modulus of the first region 110a can be about 100 times to about 100,000 times the elastic modulus of the second region 110b, but is not limited thereto. For example, the elastic modulus of the first region 110a can be about 10 7 Pa to about 10 12 Pa, the elastic modulus of the second region 110b may be greater than or equal to about 10 2 Pa and less than about 10 7 Pa, but not limited to this.

[0059] The elongation of the first region 110a and the second region 110b of the substrate 110 may be different due to the difference in stiffness described above, and the elongation of the second region 110b may be higher than the elongation of the first region 110a. Here, the elongation may be the percentage of the change in length to the breaking point relative to the initial length. For example, the elongation of the first region 110a of the substrate 110 may be less than or equal to about 5%, within the range of about 0% to about 5%, about 0% to about 4%, about 0% to about 3%, about 0% to about 2%, about 0% to about 1%, about 0.5% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 4%, about 0.5% to about 3%, about 0.5% to about 2%, or about 1% to about 2%. For example, the elongation of the second region 110b of the substrate 110 can be greater than or equal to about 10%, within the range of about 10% to about 300%, about 10% to about 200%, about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 40%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 50%, or about 20% to about 40%.

[0060] The plurality of first regions 110 a of the substrate 110 may have an island shape spaced apart from one another, and a light emitter 210 and a sensor 220 to be described later are disposed on each of the first regions 110 a of the substrate 110 .

[0061] The second region 110b of the substrate 110 may be a region other than the plurality of first regions 110a and may be continuously connected to the plurality of first regions 110a, and thus may be between adjacent first regions 110a. The second region 110b of the substrate 110 may be a region providing scalability, and due to its relatively low stiffness and high elongation, the second region 110b of the substrate 110 may flexibly respond to external forces or external movements (such as twisting and pulling) and may easily return to its original state.

[0062] For example, the first region 110a and the second region 110b of the substrate 110 may have different shapes. For example, the first region 110a of the substrate 110 may be flat, and the second region 110b may include a two-dimensional or three-dimensional retractable structure. The two-dimensional or three-dimensional retractable structure may have, for example, a wavy shape, a pleated shape, a pop-up shape, or a non-coplanar grid shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0063] For example, the first region 110a and the second region 110b of the substrate 110 may include different materials. For example, the first region 110a of the substrate 110 may include an inorganic material, an organic material, and / or an organic / inorganic material having relatively high rigidity and low elongation, and the second region 110b of the substrate 110 may include an inorganic material, an organic material, and / or an organic / inorganic material having relatively low rigidity and high elongation. For example, the first region 110a of the substrate 110 may include an organic material (such as polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyimide, polyamide, polyamideimide, polyethersulfone or a combination thereof), a carbon structure (such as diamond carbon) or be made of them, and the second region 110b of the substrate 110 may include (or be made of): an organic or organic / inorganic elastomer, such as a substituted or unsubstituted polyorganosiloxane (such as polydimethylsiloxane), an elastomer including a substituted or unsubstituted butadiene group (such as styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene), an elastomer including a urethane group, an elastomer including an acrylic group, an elastomer including an olefin group or a combination thereof; an inorganic elastomer-like material, such as a ceramic, a solid metal, a liquid metal or a combination thereof, but they are not limited thereto.

[0064] For example, the first region 110a and the second region 110b of the substrate 110 may be formed of the same material and may have different stiffnesses by varying conditions such as polymerization degree and / or curing degree. For example, the substrate 110 may have a first region 110a having relatively high stiffness and a second region 110b having relatively low stiffness formed based on polydimethylsiloxane by varying the polymerization degree, the type and content of the curing agent, and / or the curing temperature.

[0065] In this way, the substrate 110 includes a first region 110a having relatively high stiffness and low elongation and a second region 110b having relatively low stiffness and high elongation, and the light emitter 210 and the sensor 220 are arranged on the first region 110a, so that even when a large external force or movement is applied to the substrate 110, the light emitter 210 and the sensor 220 on the first region 110a can receive relatively small strain, and thus, the light emitter 210 and the sensor 220 can be prevented from being damaged or destroyed by excessive strain.

[0066] The light emitter-sensor array 200 is disposed on the substrate 110. The light emitter-sensor array 200 includes a plurality of light emitters 210 and a plurality of sensors 220. The light emitter-sensor array 200 (e.g., the plurality of light emitters 210 and the plurality of sensors 220) may be disposed on the respective separated first regions 110a, e.g., Figure 1 As shown. Figure 1As shown, the plurality of light emitters 210 and the plurality of sensors 220 may be arranged alternately, for example, along rows and / or columns. In the drawings, the shape, size, and number of the light emitters 210 and sensors 220 are shown as an example, but the shape, size, and number of the light emitters 210 and sensors 220 may be varied in various ways. For example, the light emitters 210 and sensors 220 may have dimensions ranging from a few microns to several hundred microns. For example, the light emitters 210 and sensors 220 may each independently have a width, length, and thickness greater than or equal to approximately 1 μm and less than 1000 μm, and within this range, may have a width, length, and thickness of approximately 10 μm to approximately 800 μm, approximately 10 μm to approximately 700 μm, approximately 10 μm to approximately 600 μm, or approximately 10 μm to approximately 500 μm, but are not limited thereto. For example, one hundred to three hundred light emitters 210 and sensors 220 may each be included.

[0067] The light emitter 210 can be configured to illuminate (e.g., emit) light that is supplied to (e.g., illuminate) the internal tissue of a living body through the skin, and can include, for example, a light-emitting element such as an inorganic light-emitting diode, an organic light-emitting diode, or a micro light-emitting diode. The light emitter 210 can include, for example, a pair of electrodes and a light-emitting layer between the pair of electrodes. For example, the pair of electrodes can be stretchable electrodes, and the light-emitting layer can be a stretchable light-emitting layer, so the light emitter 210 can be, for example, a stretchable element.

[0068] For example, one of the pair of electrodes may be a light-transmitting electrode, and the other may be a reflective electrode. For example, the electrode disposed near the substrate 110 may be a light-transmitting electrode. For example, the pair of electrodes may be stretchable electrodes, and the stretchable electrode may include, for example, a stretchable conductor, or may have a stretchable shape, such as a wavy shape, a corrugated shape, a pop-up shape, or a non-planar grid shape.

[0069] For example, the light emitting layer may include a light emitting material such as an organic light emitting material, quantum dots, and / or perovskite, but is not limited thereto.

[0070] The organic light-emitting material may include, for example, perylene or a derivative thereof, rubrene or a derivative thereof, 4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-[p-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-4H-pyran or a derivative thereof, coumarin or a derivative thereof, carbazole or a derivative thereof, an organometallic compound containing Pt, Os, Ti, Zr, Hf, Eu, Tb, Tm, Rh, Ru, Re, Be, Mg, Al, Ca, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Pd, Ag and / or Au, or a combination thereof. The quantum dot may include, for example, a II-VI semiconductor compound, a III-V semiconductor compound, a IV-VI semiconductor compound, a IV semiconductor element or compound, a I-III-VI semiconductor compound, a I-II-IV-VI semiconductor compound, a II-III-V semiconductor compound, or a combination thereof. The II-VI semiconductor compounds can be binary elements such as CdSe, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnO, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, MgSe, MgS, or combinations thereof; CdSeS, CdSeTe, CdSTe, ZnSeS, ZnSeTe, ZnSTe, HgSeS, HgSeTe, HgSTe, CdZnS, CdZnSe, CdZnTe, CdHgS, CdHgS e, CdHgTe, HgZnS, HgZnSe, HgZnTe, MgZnSe, MgZnS or a combination thereof; ZnSeSTe, HgZnTeS, CdZnSeS, CdZnSeTe, CdZnSTe, CdHgSeS, CdHgSeTe, CdHgSTe, HgZnSeS, HgZnSeTe, HgZnSTe or a combination thereof; or a combination thereof, but is not limited to, but is not limited to. The III-V semiconductor compound can be a binary element or a combination thereof, for example, GaN, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, AlN, AlP, AlAs, AlSb, InN, InP, InAs, InSb; a ternary element or a combination thereof, for example, GaNP, GaNAs, GaNSb, GaPAs, GaPSb, AlNP, AlNAs, AlNSb, AlPAs, AlPSb, InNP, InNAs, InNSb, InPAs, InPSb; a quaternary element or a combination thereof, for example, GaAlNP, GaAlNAs, GaAlNSb, GaAlPAs, GaAlPSb, GaInNP, GaInNAs, GaInNSb, GaInPAs, GaInPSb, InAlNP, InAlNAs, InAlNSb, InAlPAs, InAlPSb; or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.The IV-VI semiconductor compound can be, for example, a binary element such as SnS, SnSe, SnTe, PbS, PbSe, or PbTe, or a combination thereof; a ternary element such as SnSeS, SnSeTe, SnSTe, PbSeS, PbSeTe, PbSTe, SnPbS, SnPbSe, or SnPbTe, or a combination thereof; a quaternary element such as SnPbSSe, SnPbSeTe, or SnPbSTe, or a combination thereof; or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The IV semiconductor element or compound can be, for example, a single element semiconductor such as Si or Ge, or a combination thereof; a binary element semiconductor such as SiC or SiGe, or a combination thereof; or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The I-III-VI semiconductor compound can be, for example, selected from CuInSe2, CuInS2, CuInGaSe, CuInGaS, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The I-II-IV-VI semiconductor compound can be, for example, CuZnSnSe, CuZnSnS, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto. The II-III-V semiconductor compound may include, for example, InZnP, but is not limited thereto. The perovskite may include, for example, CH3NH3PbBr3, CH3NH3PbI3, CH3NH3SnBr3, CH3NH3SnI3, or CH3NH3Sn. 1-x Pb x Br3、CH3NH3Sn 1-x Pb x I3, HC(NH2)2PbI3, HC(NH2)2SnI3, (C4H9NH3)2PbBr4, (C6H5CH2NH3)2PbBr4, (C6H5CH2NH3)2PbI4, (C6H5C2H4NH3)2PbBr4, (C6H 13 NH3)2(CH3NH3) n- 1Pb n I 3n+1 or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0071] The emission spectrum of the light emitting layer may include at least a portion of light in the visible and / or infrared wavelength spectrum, for example including at least a portion of the blue wavelength spectrum, the green wavelength spectrum, the red wavelength spectrum and the (near) infrared wavelength spectrum.

[0072] The sensor 220 can be configured to absorb and detect light reflected by the internal tissue of a living body (e.g., light emitted by one or more light emitters 210) (e.g., absorb the light and / or convert the light into an electrical signal). Each sensor 220 includes a plurality of light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n for detecting light of different absorption spectra. Here, as an example, n light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., 220-n are represented, and n can be an integer of 2 or greater (e.g., 3 or greater) and can be an integer of 5 or greater, such as 2 to 100, 3 to 100, or 5 to 100, but is not limited thereto. The plurality of light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n can be stacked, for example, in the thickness direction of the substrate 110. The light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n can be understood as being stacked one on top of another, based on the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n extending in parallel in one or more directions (e.g., X and / or Y directions) and being arranged in a direction extending perpendicular to the direction in which the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n extend (e.g., Z direction), so that the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n overlap in the vertical direction.

[0073] Each of the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n may be, for example, an inorganic or organic diode configured to absorb light having different absorption spectra SP with respect to each other. AB Each of the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n may have wavelength selectivity, for example, selectively absorbing light in certain wavelength spectrums of the visible wavelength spectrum and / or the infrared wavelength spectrum. For example, each light detecting element may be independently configured to selectively absorb light belonging to a specific (or alternatively, predetermined) wavelength spectrum of any one of the blue wavelength spectrum, the green wavelength spectrum, the red wavelength spectrum or the (near) infrared wavelength spectrum. The light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n may have a corresponding absorption peak wavelength λ within the visible wavelength spectrum or the infrared wavelength spectrum. max The absorption peak wavelength of the blue wavelength spectrum is λ max The absorption peak wavelength λ of the green wavelength spectrum may fall within a range of greater than or equal to about 400 nm and less than or equal to about 500 nm. max The absorption peak wavelength λ of the red wavelength spectrum may belong to about 500nm to about 600nm max The absorption peak wavelength λ of the (near) infrared wavelength spectrum may be greater than about 600 nm and less than or equal to about 700 nm. maxIt may be greater than about 700 nm and less than or equal to about 3000 nm. For example, each absorption peak wavelength λ of the light detection elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n is max It may be within a range of about 450 nm to about 1200 nm.

[0074] Reference Figure 3A and Figure 3B , when the absorption peak wavelengths of the first light detection element 220-1, the second light detection element 220-2 and the nth light detection element 220-n are λ1, λ2 and λ n When the absorption peak wavelengths λ1, λ2, ..., λ n For example, the absorption peak wavelengths λ1, λ2, ..., λ n Each difference between can be greater than or equal to about 5 nm, greater than or equal to about 10 nm, greater than or equal to about 15 nm, greater than or equal to about 20 nm, greater than or equal to about 30 nm, greater than or equal to about 40 nm, or greater than or equal to about 50 nm, within the range of about 5 nm to about 500 nm, about 10 nm to about 500 nm, about 15 nm to about 500 nm, about 20 nm to about 500 nm, about 30 nm to about 500 nm, about 40 nm to about 500 nm, about 50 nm to about 500 nm, about 5 nm to about 300 nm, about 10 nm to about 300 nm, about 15 nm to about 300 nm, about 20 nm to about 300 nm, about 30 nm to about 300 nm, about 40 nm to about 300 nm, or about 50 nm to about 300 nm.

[0075] The absorption spectrum SP of each of the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n AB The absorption peak wavelengths λ1, λ2, ..., λ3 of the light detection elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n may be, for example, about 380 nm to about 2000 nm. n Can independently be, for example, about 450 nm to about 1200 nm, within this range about 470 nm to about 1150 nm, about 480 nm to about 1100 nm, about 500 nm to about 1000 nm, about 550 nm to about 1000 nm, or about 600 nm to about 1000 nm.

[0076] In some example embodiments, since the light of the absorption spectrum detected by each of the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n is irradiated from the light emitter 210, the emission spectrum SP of the light emitter 210 is ELThe absorption spectrum SP sensed by each of the light detecting elements 220 - 1 , 220 - 2 , . . . , and 220 - n of the sensor 220 may be included. AB , and may include, for example, absorption peak wavelengths λ1, λ2, ..., λ n For example, the emission spectrum SP of each light emitter 210 in the plurality of light emitters 210 EL The plurality of light detection elements 220 - 1 , 220 - 2 , . . . , 220 - n of the plurality of sensors 220 may include respective absorption peak wavelengths λ1 , λ2 , . . . , λ n (For example, all of the absorption peak wavelengths). For example, the emission spectrum SP of the light emitter 210 EL The wavelength can fall within the range of about 380 nm to about 2000 nm, within which range about 380 nm to about 1800 nm, about 380 nm to about 1500 nm, about 400 nm to about 1400 nm, about 400 nm to about 1300 nm, about 400 nm to about 1200 nm, about 450 nm to about 1200 nm, about 470 nm to about 1150 nm, about 480 nm to about 1100 nm, about 500 nm to about 1000 nm, about 550 nm to about 1000 nm, or about 600 nm to about 1000 nm.

[0077] For example, each of the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n can be, for example, an organic or inorganic diode including a pair of electrodes and an absorption layer between the pair of electrodes. For example, the pair of electrodes in each of the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n-1 can both be light-transmitting electrodes, one of the pair of electrodes in the light detecting element 220-n can be a light-transmitting electrode, and the other can be a reflective electrode, for example, an electrode disposed near the substrate 110 can be a light-transmitting electrode. For example, the pair of electrodes can be stretchable electrodes, and the stretchable electrodes can include, for example, a stretchable conductor, or can have a stretchable shape, such as a wavy shape, a corrugated shape, a pop-up shape, or a non-planar grid shape.

[0078] For example, the absorption layer included in each of the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n can be a photoelectric conversion layer that is configured to absorb light of a specific (or optionally, a predetermined) absorption spectrum and convert the absorbed light into an electrical signal. The absorption layer included in each of the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n can include, for example, an inorganic absorption semiconductor, an organic absorption semiconductor and / or an organic / inorganic absorption semiconductor. For example, the inorganic absorption semiconductor, the organic absorption semiconductor and / or the organic / inorganic absorption semiconductor can be a p-type semiconductor or an n-type semiconductor that forms a pn junction. The absorption layer included in each of the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n can be respectively configured to absorb a portion of light in the visible wavelength spectrum and / or the infrared wavelength spectrum. For example, the absorption layer can be configured to absorb light having an absorption peak wavelength λ1, λ2, ..., λ n For example, the absorption layer may be a stretchable light absorption layer. Each of the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n may be, for example, a stretchable element.

[0079] The light absorbed and detected by the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n may be light reflected by the internal tissue of the living body. By analyzing the electrical signals selectively absorbed and photoelectrically converted by each of the light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n having wavelength selectivity, an image according to the depth of the internal tissue of the living body (e.g., a "depth image" as described herein) can be confirmed, and spatial information about the internal tissue of the living body can be obtained thereby. These are described subsequently. In some example embodiments, the bioimaging system 100 may not have a substrate 110. For example, the bioimaging system 100 may include a light emitter-sensor array 200 on or within a non-stretchable (e.g., rigid) substrate, but example embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0080] As an example, the sensor 220 having a structure in which two light detecting elements 220 - 1 and 220 - 2 are stacked will be described.

[0081] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a sensor according to an example, Figure 5A and Figure 5B is shown in the included Figure 4 Graph of an example of the emission spectrum of a light emitter and the absorption spectrum of the sensor in a bio-imaging system of a sensor.

[0082] According to an example, a sensor 220 includes a first light detecting element 220-1 and a second light detecting element 220-2 stacked one on top of the other (e.g., one directly stacked on the other). The first light detecting element 220-1 includes a first absorption layer 220-1-A configured to selectively absorb light in an absorption spectrum having a first absorption peak wavelength λ1, and the second light detecting element 220-2 includes a second absorption layer 220-2-A configured to selectively absorb light in an absorption spectrum having a second absorption peak wavelength λ2. The wavelength spectra of the first absorption layer 220-1-A and the second absorption layer 220-2-A can each independently have wavelength selectivity. The first absorption peak wavelength λ1 and the second absorption peak wavelength λ2 can each independently belong to any one of a blue wavelength spectrum, a green wavelength spectrum, a red wavelength spectrum, or a (near) infrared wavelength spectrum. The second absorption peak wavelength λ2 can be longer than the first absorption peak wavelength λ1. The difference between the first absorption peak wavelength λ1 and the second absorption peak wavelength λ2 can be, for example, greater than or equal to about 5 nm, greater than or equal to about 10 nm, greater than or equal to about 15 nm, greater than or equal to about 20 nm, greater than or equal to about 30 nm, greater than or equal to about 40 nm, or greater than or equal to about 50 nm.

[0083] The first light detecting element 220-1 includes a pair of electrodes 220-E1 and 220-E3 facing each other, and a first absorption layer 220-1-A at its center. The second light detecting element 220-2 includes a pair of electrodes 220-E2 and 220-E3 facing each other, and a second absorption layer 220-2-A at its center. For example, one of the electrodes 220-E1 and 220-E3 can be an anode, and the other can be a cathode. For example, one of the electrodes 220-E2 and 220-E3 can be a cathode, and the other can be an anode. The electrode 220-E3 between the first absorption layer 220-1-A and the second absorption layer 220-2-A can be a common electrode for the first light detecting element 220-1 and the second light detecting element 220-2. Therefore, each sensor 220 may include a first electrode (e.g., electrode 220-E1) on one surface of the first absorption layer 220-1-A, a second electrode (e.g., electrode 220-E2) on one surface of the second absorption layer 220-2-A, and a third electrode (e.g., electrode 220-E3) facing the first and second electrodes and between the first and second absorption layers 220-1-A and 220-2-A, wherein the third electrode is a common electrode for the first and second light detecting elements 220-1 and 220-2. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the electrode 220-E3 between the first and second absorption layers 220-1-A and 220-2-A may be a separate electrode for the first or second light detecting element 220-1 or 220-2.

[0084] The emission spectrum SP of the light emitter 210 EL The absorption spectrum SP absorbed and detected by the first light detecting element 220 - 1 and the second light detecting element 220 - 2 of the sensor 220 may be included. AB , for example, may include all of the absorption peak wavelengths λ1 and λ2 of the first light detection element 220 - 1 and the second light detection element 220 - 2 .

[0085] As an example, an example of the sensor 220 having a structure in which three light detecting elements 220 - 1 , 220 - 2 , and 220 - 3 are stacked will be described.

[0086] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a sensor according to an example, Figure 7A and Figure 7B It is shown that Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a graph of an example of wavelength spectra of light emitters and sensors of a biosensor imaging system.

[0087] According to one example, a sensor 220 includes a first light detecting element 220-1, a second light detecting element 220-2, and a third light detecting element 220-3 stacked one above the other. The first light detecting element 220-1 includes a first absorption layer 220-1-A configured to selectively absorb light having an absorption spectrum with a first absorption peak wavelength λ1. The second light detecting element 220-2 includes a second absorption layer 220-2-A configured to selectively absorb light having an absorption spectrum with a second absorption peak wavelength λ2 different from the first absorption peak wavelength λ1. The third light detecting element 220-3 includes a third absorption layer 220-3-A configured to selectively absorb light having an absorption spectrum with a third absorption peak wavelength λ3 different from the first absorption peak wavelength λ1 and the second absorption peak wavelength λ2. For example, the third absorption peak wavelength λ3 can be longer than the second absorption peak wavelength λ2.

[0088] The wavelength spectra of the first absorption layer 220-1-A, the second absorption layer 220-2-A and the third absorption layer 220-3-A can be different from each other, and the first absorption peak wavelength λ1, the second absorption peak wavelength λ2 and the third absorption peak wavelength λ3 can independently belong to one of the blue wavelength spectrum, the green wavelength spectrum, the red wavelength spectrum or the (near) infrared wavelength spectrum, and the difference between the first absorption peak wavelength λ1, the second absorption peak wavelength λ2 and the third absorption peak wavelength λ3 can be, for example, greater than or equal to about 5 nm, greater than or equal to about 10 nm, greater than or equal to about 15 nm, greater than or equal to about 20 nm, greater than or equal to about 30 nm, greater than or equal to about 40 nm, or greater than or equal to about 50 nm.

[0089] The first light detecting element 220-1 may include a pair of electrodes 220-E facing each other. 1a and 220-E 1b and the first absorption layer 220-1-A as the center, wherein the pair of electrodes 220-E 1a and 220-E 1b Either one of them may be, for example, an anode, and the other may be a cathode. The second light detecting element 220-2 may include a pair of electrodes 220-E facing each other. 2a and 220-E 2b and the second absorption layer 220-2-A as the center, wherein the pair of electrodes 220-E 2a and 220-E 2b Any one of them may be, for example, an anode, and the other may be a cathode. The third light detecting element 220-3 may include a pair of electrodes 220-E facing each other. 3a and 220-E 3b and the third absorption layer 220-3-A as the center, wherein the pair of electrodes 220-E 3a and 220-E 3b For example, one of the electrodes may be an anode, and the other may be a cathode. For example, when the substrate 110 is disposed on one side of the first light detecting element 220-1, the electrode 220-E disposed farthest from the substrate 110 may be a cathode. 3b It can be a reflective electrode, while the other electrode 220-E 1a 、220-E 1b 、220-E 2a 、220-E 2b and 220-E 3a The insulating layer 240 may be provided between the first light detecting element 220 - 1 and the second light detecting element 220 - 2 and between the second light detecting element 220 - 2 and the third light detecting element 220 - 3 , respectively.

[0090] The emission spectrum SP of the light emitter 210 EL The wavelength spectrum SP sensed in the first light detecting element 220 - 1 , the second light detecting element 220 - 2 , and the third light detecting element 220 - 3 of the sensor 220 may be included. AB , for example, all the absorption peak wavelengths λ1, λ2, and λ3 of the first light detecting element 220-1, the second light detecting element 220-2, and the third light detecting element 220-3.

[0091] In the bioimaging system 100 according to some example embodiments, by utilizing the fact that the penetration depth of light varies depending on its wavelength, the sensor 220, including the plurality of light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n, can acquire multiple images along the depth direction from the skin surface. These multiple images can be combined to obtain information such as the position, shape, size, and / or thickness of the internal tissue of a living organism, and this information can be used to obtain spatial information of the internal tissue of the living organism. Furthermore, this spatial information can be separated and / or extracted to effectively obtain information about the internal tissue of the living organism at a specific depth from the skin surface.

[0092] Specifically, when the skin is irradiated with light, the penetration depth of the light from the skin surface varies depending on the wavelength, and generally, light of the long wavelength spectrum can penetrate relatively deeper than light of the short wavelength spectrum. In some example embodiments, since light of the long wavelength spectrum may also be scattered when it passes through several tissues from the skin surface along the depth direction, the information obtained from light of a specific (or, alternatively, predetermined) wavelength may not be an image of the internal tissue present at the maximum penetration depth, but rather an image of all internal tissues of the living body within the penetration depth of the light. Therefore, it may be difficult to selectively obtain a clear image of the internal tissue of the living body (such as blood vessels located at a specific depth from the skin surface). Such an image of the internal tissue of the living body at a specific depth from the skin surface of the living body may be referred to here as a "depth image."

[0093] In some example embodiments, the light emitter 210 configured to irradiate light with a wide absorption spectrum and the sensor 220 including the plurality of light detection elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n having wavelength selectivity can be arranged in an array to combine different image information obtained from the plurality of light detection elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n depending on the light penetration depth, and then separate and / or extract image information of the internal tissue of the living body along the depth direction from the skin surface, thereby obtaining information of the internal tissue of the living body present at a specific depth.

[0094] For example, in Figure 4 and Figures 5A-5BIn the sensor 220 shown having a stacked structure of two light detecting elements 220-1 and 220-2, when the first light detecting element 220-1 can be configured to sense light of a first absorption spectrum having a first absorption peak wavelength λ1 (which is a relatively short wavelength), and the second light detecting element 220-2 can be configured to sense light of a second wavelength spectrum having a second absorption peak wavelength λ2 (which is a relatively long wavelength), the light of the first wavelength spectrum and the second wavelength spectrum irradiated from the light emitter 210 can respectively penetrate the skin and reach their respective maximum depths from the skin surface and then can be reflected, and this reflected light can be absorbed and sensed in the first light detecting element 220-1 and the second light detecting element 220-2, respectively, depending on the wavelength. Here, even if the light of the first wavelength spectrum and the second wavelength spectrum from the skin surface has any penetration depth distribution, the image (e.g., the second image) obtained from the second light detection element 220-2 (which senses light of the relatively long wavelength spectrum) can be relatively deeper than the image obtained from the first light detection element 220-1 (which senses light of the relatively short wavelength spectrum). The difference between the image (e.g., the second image) obtained from the second light detection element 220-2 (which senses light of the relatively long wavelength spectrum) and the image (e.g., the first image) obtained from the first light detection element 220-1 (which senses light of the relatively short wavelength spectrum) can be extracted to obtain image information (e.g., a first depth image) at the depth through which the light of the second absorption spectrum alone penetrates. Therefore, image information of the internal tissue of a living organism at a specific depth can be effectively obtained.

[0095] Likewise, for example, in Figure 6 and Figures 7A-7BIn the illustrated sensor 220 including three light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, and 220-3, the first light detecting element 220-1 may be configured to sense light having a first absorption spectrum with a first absorption peak wavelength λ1 (which is the shortest wavelength), the third light detecting element 220-3 may be configured to sense light having a third absorption peak wavelength λ3 (which is the relatively longest wavelength), and the second light detecting element 220-2 may be configured to sense light having a second absorption peak wavelength between the first absorption peak wavelength λ1 and the third absorption peak wavelength λ3. When the light has a second absorption spectrum of λ2, the light of the first wavelength spectrum, the second wavelength spectrum, and the third wavelength spectrum among the light irradiated from the light emitter 210 has respective penetration depths from the skin surface, and the light of the first wavelength spectrum, the second wavelength spectrum, and the third wavelength spectrum can independently pass through the skin and then can be transmitted up to their respective maximum penetration depths but reflected by the internal tissue of the living body, and the reflected light can be absorbed and sensed in the first light detection element 220-1, the second light detection element 220-2, and the third light detection element 220-3 depending on the wavelength. Here, even if the light of the first wavelength spectrum, the second wavelength spectrum and the third wavelength spectrum from the skin surface has any penetration depth distribution, the image (e.g., the third image) obtained from the third light detection element 220-3 (which is configured to sense light with a relatively long absorption spectrum) can be deeper than the image (e.g., the second image) from the second light detection element 220-2 (which is configured to sense light with a relatively short absorption spectrum), and the image obtained from the second light detection element 220-2 (which is configured to sense light with a relatively long absorption spectrum) can be deeper than the image (e.g., the first image) obtained from the first light detection element 220-1 (which is configured to sense light with a relatively short absorption spectrum).

[0096] Thus, the difference between the images from the third light detecting element 220-3 and the second light detecting element 220-2 (e.g., the second difference between the third image and the second image) is separated and / or extracted to obtain image information (e.g., a second depth image) at a depth (e.g., a second depth) through which light of the third absorption spectrum alone penetrates. Similarly, the difference between the images from the second light detecting element 220-2 and the first light detecting element 220-1 (e.g., the first difference between the first image and the second image) is separated and / or extracted to obtain image information (e.g., a first depth image) at a depth (e.g., a first depth, where the second depth is deeper than the first depth) through which light of the second absorption spectrum alone penetrates. Thus, image information of the internal tissue of a living body at a specific depth from the skin surface can be effectively obtained, and multiple "depth images" of the internal tissue of the living body according to the depth from the skin surface can be obtained.

[0097] In this method, in a sensor 220 including n light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n, image differences between any two light detecting elements selected from the n light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n are separated and / or extracted, and then combined to obtain spatial information in the depth direction. The more light detecting elements there are, the more accurate the spatial information in the depth direction that can be obtained.

[0098] The bioimaging method using the above-mentioned bioimaging system 100 may include: fixing (e.g., attaching, placing in direct contact, etc.) the bioimaging system 100 on the skin S; turning on (e.g., activating) some or all of the multiple light emitters 210 to irradiate light to the skin S; selectively sensing light (e.g., absorbing the light and / or converting the light into an electrical signal) in each of the multiple light detection elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n of one or more sensors 220 of the bioimaging system 100 according to the wavelength spectrum of the scattered and reflected light (the light is the irradiated light scattered or reflected by the internal tissue of the living body through the skin S) to obtain (e.g., generate) multiple images; separating and / or extracting the differences between the multiple images of the internal tissue of the living body (such as blood vessels (BV)) depending on the depth from the surface of the skin (S) to obtain multiple images (e.g., "depth images") according to the depth from the skin surface; and combining the multiple images (e.g., "depth images") of the internal tissue of the living body (such as blood vessels (BV)) to obtain (e.g., generate) a three-dimensional image of the internal tissue of the living body.

[0099] Will refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 An example of a method of obtaining image information of internal tissues of a living body using the above-described biological imaging system is described.

[0100] Figure 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a method of obtaining image information of internal tissue of a living body using a biological imaging system according to some example embodiments, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the use of Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an example of a method for obtaining image information of internal tissue of a living body using a biological imaging system.

[0101] As described above, when the multiple light emitters 210 of the bioimaging system 100 are turned on to irradiate light into the skin S, the light can penetrate different depths from the skin surface S1 depending on the wavelength spectrum of the irradiated light, and light with relatively long wavelengths can penetrate deeper than light with relatively short wavelengths.

[0102] Therefore, refer to Figure 9 , the penetrable depths D1, D2, ..., D of the light irradiated from the plurality of light emitters 210 nAn image having a specific (or, alternatively, predetermined) distribution depending on wavelength and reflected by internal tissue at different depths of a living body depending on wavelength can be selectively obtained by a plurality of light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., 220-n configured to selectively absorb light of wavelength spectra different from each other. For example, when the first light detecting element 220-1 among the plurality of light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ..., and 220-n can be configured to absorb light of a first absorption spectrum (which is the shortest wavelength spectrum), and the nth light detecting element 220-n can be configured to absorb light of an nth absorption spectrum (which is the relatively longest wavelength spectrum), the signals obtained from the light of the first to nth wavelength spectra can respectively provide signals from a depth D1 relatively closest to the skin surface S1 to a deepest depth D n Based on these images, image differences at each depth are separated and extracted to identify the lowest point, middle point, and highest point of the blood vessel BV, thereby obtaining a three-dimensional image of the blood vessel BV. This three-dimensional image of the blood vessel BV can be used to identify spatial information such as the position, shape, size, and / or thickness of the blood vessel BV.

[0103] Will refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 Another example of a method of obtaining image information of internal tissues of a living body using the above-described biological imaging system is described.

[0104] Figure 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of a method of obtaining image information of internal tissue of a living body using a biological imaging system according to some example embodiments, Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the use of Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of another example of a method of obtaining image information of internal tissue of a living body by a biological imaging system.

[0105] In this example, when two blood vessels BV1 and BV2 are located in the depth direction, images of the two blood vessels BV1 and BV2 are separated and / or extracted to obtain images of the blood vessels BV1 and BV2 at a specific depth.

[0106] In other words, as described above, the penetrable depths D1, D2, ..., D n The information of the blood vessels BV1 and BV2 having a specific (or, alternatively, predetermined) distribution depending on the wavelength, reflecting at different depths depending on the wavelength can be selectively obtained from the plurality of light detecting elements 220-1, 220-2, ... and 220-n configured to absorb light of different wavelength spectrums, and the image information obtained from the light of the first to n-th wavelength spectrums can include the depth D1 relatively close to the skin surface S1 to the deepest depth D nBy using spatial information from multiple images, it is possible not only to separate and / or extract differences between multiple images to identify the lowest, middle, and highest points of blood vessels BV1 and BV2, thereby obtaining a three-dimensional image of each of blood vessels BV1 and BV2, but also to extract image differences between blood vessels BV1 and BV2 to obtain a clear image of blood vessel BV2 without reducing resolution due to blood vessel BV1. Therefore, when multiple blood vessels are located in the depth direction from the skin surface, this method can effectively identify spatial information of the internal tissue of a living body. While an example of two blood vessels BV1 and BV2 located in the depth direction is shown here, other examples of n blood vessels in the depth direction can be illustrated in the same manner.

[0107] Hereinafter, a biological imaging system according to some example embodiments is described.

[0108] Figure 12 is a plan view illustrating an example of a biological imaging system according to some example embodiments, Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of an example of a biological imaging system taken along line XIII-XIII'.

[0109] Reference Figure 12 and Figure 13 According to some example embodiments, the bio-imaging system 100 includes: a substrate 110; a plurality of light emitters 210 and a plurality of sensors 220 on the substrate 110; and (optionally) an encapsulation film 260 covering the plurality of light emitters 210 and the plurality of sensors 220, as in some example embodiments (including Figures 1 to 11 The same as the example implementation scheme of ).

[0110] However, in some example embodiments (including Figures 12 to 13 In the biological imaging system 100 of some example embodiments (including Figures 1 to 11 Unlike the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of light emitters 210 and the plurality of sensors 220 are disposed at different depths from the substrate 110. In other words, the plurality of sensors 220 disposed at a first height from the substrate 110 may be arranged, for example, along rows and / or columns to form a sensor array 200A, and the plurality of light emitters 210 disposed at a second height from the substrate 110 may be arranged, for example, along rows and / or columns to form a light emitter array 200B. Thus, the light emitter array 200B and the sensor array 200A may be at different heights from the substrate 110. For example, the second height may be higher than the first height. A transparent layer 250 may be included between the sensor array 200A and the light emitter array 200B, and the transparent layer 250 may be a stretchable transparent layer.

[0111] Figure 14 yes Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of another example of a biological imaging system taken along line XIII-XIII'.

[0112] Reference Figure 14 , like some example embodiments (including Figures 12 to 13 As with some example embodiments, the biological imaging system 100 of some example embodiments includes: a substrate 110; a sensor array 200A on the substrate 110; a light emitter array 200B on the sensor array 200A; a transparent layer 250 between the sensor array 200A and the light emitter array 200B; and (optionally) an encapsulation film 260.

[0113] However, unlike some example embodiments (including Figures 12 to 13 According to some example embodiments (including Figure 14 The bio-imaging system 100 of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes a light diffusion layer 270 below the light emitter array 200B and thus between the light emitter array 200B and the sensor array 200A. The light diffusion layer 270 may be between the substrate 110 and the light emitter array 200B, for example, on the entire surface of the substrate 110. The light diffusion layer 270 may be configured to scatter and diffuse the light irradiated from the light emitter array 200B and uniformly supply the light to the skin.

[0114] The bio-imaging system 100 can be applied to medical or security imaging equipment for identifying spatial information of the internal tissue of a living body, and this spatial information can be obtained temporarily or in real time. For example, the internal tissue of the living body can be a blood vessel, and spatial information such as the location, shape, size, and / or thickness of the blood vessel can be used to predict or preemptively treat vascular diseases.

[0115] The bio-imaging system 100 may be, for example, a wearable bio-imaging system or a skin-attached bio-imaging system directly attached to the skin, and the skin-attached bio-imaging system may be, for example, a patch-type bio-imaging system or a belt-type bio-imaging system.

[0116] The biological imaging system 100 may further include a driving unit (e.g., a processing circuit) such as an integrated circuit (IC) and a processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)) for obtaining the electrical signals as described above and separating and / or extracting spatial information of the internal tissue of the living body based on the electrical signals.

[0117] The biological imaging system 100 may further include a display unit or a display panel (eg, a light emitting diode (LED) screen) for displaying images and spatial information of internal tissues of the living body as various characters and / or images.

[0118] Hereinafter, some example embodiments are described in more detail with reference to examples. However, the present scope of the example embodiments is not limited to these examples.

[0119] Optical Simulation I

[0120] Example 1

[0121] Vascular images were evaluated using a bioimaging system.

[0122] The simulation conditions are as follows:

[0123] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 The light emitter-sensor array shown

[0124] - Stretchable substrate thickness: 0.02mm

[0125] - Figure 8 and Figure 9 Vascular distribution in

[0126] - Light emitter: surface light emitter (planar light emitter, Lambertian)

[0127] -Emission spectrum of the light emitter: single wavelength of 650nm

[0128] - Upper electrode / lower electrode of light emitter: reflective electrode / transparent electrode

[0129] - Absorption peak wavelength of light detection element: single wavelength of 650nm

[0130] -Number of stacked light detection elements: 1

[0131] - Skin composition: 1.5mm skin thickness, 3mm fat thickness, 30mm muscle thickness, and

[0132] - Assume that the internal quantum efficiency of the light detection element is 100%.

[0133] The results are Figure 15 Shown in.

[0134] Figure 15 is a diagram showing a blood vessel image and spatial distribution obtained according to Example 1.

[0135] Reference Figure 15 , the blood vessel image and the spatial distribution of the blood vessels can be examined by the biological imaging system according to Example 1.

[0136] Optical Simulation II

[0137] Example 2

[0138] When multiple blood vessels are distributed along the depth direction, each blood vessel image is evaluated using a biological imaging system.

[0139] The simulation conditions are as follows:

[0140] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 The light emitter-sensor array shown

[0141] - Stretchable substrate thickness: 0.02mm

[0142] - Figure 10 and Figure 11 Vascular distribution in

[0143] - Light emitter: surface light emitter (planar light emitter, Lambertian)

[0144] -Emission spectrum of light emitter: 650nm to 710nm

[0145] - Upper electrode / lower electrode of light emitter: reflective electrode / transparent electrode

[0146] -Number of stacked light detection elements: 2 (bottom, top)

[0147] - Absorption peak wavelength of the lower light detection element: 650nm

[0148] - Upper electrode / lower electrode of the lower light detection element: light-transmitting electrode / light-transmitting electrode

[0149] -The absorption peak wavelength of the upper light detection element is 710nm

[0150] - Upper electrode / lower electrode of the upper light detection element: reflective electrode / transparent electrode

[0151] - Assuming the internal quantum efficiency of the lower and upper light detection elements is 100%

[0152] - Skin composition: 1.5mm skin thickness, 3mm fat thickness, 30mm muscle thickness,

[0153] - Information of the upper blood vessel BV1: x=0 mm (reference), z=1.5 mm (depth from the skin surface), radius of 0.5 mm, and

[0154] - Information of the lower blood vessel BV2: x=3 mm, z=4 mm (depth from the skin surface), radius of 1.0 mm.

[0155] The results are Figure 16 and Figure 17 Shown in.

[0156] Figure 16is a graph showing signals obtained from a first light detecting element and a second light detecting element of a biological imaging system according to Example 2, Figure 17 By separating and extracting Figure 16 The graph shown is obtained by calculating the difference between the signals of the first light detection element and the second light detection element.

[0157] Reference Figure 16 and Figure 17 The difference in signals obtained from the first light detection element, which has a peak absorption wavelength of 650 nm, and the second light detection element, which has a peak absorption wavelength of 710 nm, is analyzed to separate the lower and upper blood vessel images, thereby extracting the lower blood vessel image. Specifically, the signal difference is analyzed and Gaussian fitted to identify the center position, which has an x-coordinate of 3.27 mm. When compared to the position of the lower blood vessel BV2, which is 3.0 mm, the upper blood vessel BV1 is identified with an error of approximately 10% (0.27 mm). Therefore, the signal difference relative to the different wavelengths is used to exclude the upper blood vessel BV1 at the x-coordinate of 0 mm and extract the image of the lower blood vessel BV2.

[0158] Example 3

[0159] The simulation evaluation was performed under the same conditions as in Example 2, except that x=3 mm of the lower blood vessel BV2 was changed to x=5 mm.

[0160] The results are Figure 18 and Figure 19 Shown in.

[0161] Figure 18 is a graph showing signals obtained from a first light detecting element and a second light detecting element of a biological imaging system according to Example 3, Figure 19 By separating and extracting Figure 18 The graph shown is obtained by calculating the difference between the signals of the first light detection element and the second light detection element.

[0162] Reference Figure 18 and Figure 19 The difference in signals obtained from the first light detection element, which has a peak absorption wavelength of 650 nm, and the second light detection element, which has a peak absorption wavelength of 710 nm, is analyzed to separate the lower vessel image from the upper vessel image, thereby extracting the lower vessel image. Specifically, the signal difference is Gaussian fitted to identify the center position, which has an x-coordinate of 4.9 mm. When compared to the 5.0 mm of the lower vessel BV2, the upper vessel BV1 is identified with an error of approximately 5% (0.1 mm). Therefore, the signal difference relative to the different wavelengths is used to exclude the upper vessel BV1 at an x-coordinate of 0 mm and extract the image of the lower vessel BV2.

[0163] Optical Simulation III

[0164] Example 4

[0165] The simulation conditions are as follows:

[0166] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 The light emitter-sensor array shown

[0167] - Stretchable substrate thickness: 0.02mm

[0168] - Light emitter: surface light emitter (planar light emitter, Lambertian)

[0169] -Emission spectrum of light emitter: 500nm to 900nm

[0170] - Upper electrode / lower electrode of light emitter: reflective electrode / transparent electrode

[0171] - Number of stacked light detection elements: 3 (bottom, middle, top)

[0172] - Absorption peak wavelength of the lower light detection element: 600nm

[0173] - Upper electrode / lower electrode of the lower light detection element: light-transmitting electrode / light-transmitting electrode

[0174] - Absorption peak wavelength of the intermediate light detection element: 700nm

[0175] - Upper electrode / lower electrode of the intermediate light detection element: light-transmitting electrode / light-transmitting electrode

[0176] -Absorption peak wavelength of the upper light detection element: 800nm

[0177] - Upper electrode / lower electrode of the upper light detection element: reflective electrode / transparent electrode

[0178] - Assume that the internal quantum efficiency of the lower, middle and upper light detection elements is 100%

[0179] - Skin composition: 1.5mm skin thickness, 5mm fat thickness, 30mm muscle thickness,

[0180] - Information of the upper blood vessel BV1: x=0 mm (reference), z=1.5 mm (depth from the skin surface), radius of 0.5 mm,

[0181] - Information of the middle blood vessel BV3: x=4 mm, z=5 mm (depth from the skin surface), radius of 1.5 mm, and

[0182] - Information of the lower blood vessel BV2: x = -3 mm, z = 6 mm (depth from the skin surface), radius of 1.0 mm.

[0183] The results are Figure 20 Shown in.

[0184] Figure 20 is a graph showing signals obtained from a stacked lower light detecting element, a middle light detecting element, and an upper light detecting element of a biological imaging system according to Example 4.

[0185] Reference Figure 20 , the differences in signals of the lower light detection element with an absorption peak wavelength of 600nm, the middle light detection element with an absorption peak wavelength of 700nm, and the upper light detection element with an absorption peak wavelength of 800nm ​​are analyzed to extract the lower blood vessel image, the middle blood vessel image, and the upper blood vessel image, respectively. Specifically, the longer the wavelength, the deeper the light is transmitted and reflected into the skin. Therefore, the signal at a wavelength of 600nm can mainly include information of the upper blood vessel BV1, the signal at a wavelength of 700nm can mainly include information of the upper blood vessel BV1 and the middle blood vessel BV3, and the signal at a wavelength of 800nm ​​can mainly include information of the upper blood vessel BV1, the middle blood vessel BV3, and the lower blood vessel BV2. Figure 20 , curve 1 shows the signal differences at a wavelength of 800 nm and a wavelength of 700 nm, and these signal differences are Gaussian fitted to identify the center position, which can be used to obtain information of the lower blood vessel BV2 at x=-3 mm.

[0186] Likewise, in Figure 20 In the figure, curves 2 and 3 show the signal differences at wavelengths of 800 nm and 600 nm. These signal differences are Gaussian-fitted to separate the two signals due to the mixed information at x = -3 mm and x = 4 mm, thereby obtaining information about the middle blood vessel BV3. Therefore, it is possible to use signal differences at multiple wavelengths to extract blood vessel information at a specific depth and image it at an image spatial resolution of (number of wavelengths - 1).

[0187] While the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with what are presently considered to be practical example embodiments, it is to be understood that the inventive concept is not limited to the disclosed example embodiments, but is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0188] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0089587 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on July 20, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A biological imaging system comprising: Scalable substrate, a plurality of light emitters, on the stretchable substrate, configured to irradiate light, and a plurality of sensors on the stretchable substrate, the plurality of sensors being configured to detect light scattered or reflected by internal tissue of a living body, wherein each of the plurality of sensors includes a plurality of light detecting elements stacked one on top of another along a thickness direction of the stretchable substrate and having different absorption peak wavelengths relative to each other, and Each emission spectrum of each of the plurality of light emitters includes respective absorption peak wavelengths of the plurality of light detection elements. 2 . The biological imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein each absorption peak wavelength of the plurality of light detection elements is within a visible wavelength spectrum to an infrared wavelength spectrum. 3 . The biological imaging system according to claim 2 , wherein each absorption peak wavelength of the plurality of light detection elements is within a range of 450 nm to 1200 nm. 4 . The biological imaging system according to claim 3 , wherein a difference between the absorption peak wavelengths of the plurality of light detection elements is greater than or equal to 10 nm.

5. The biological imaging system according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of light detecting elements of each of the plurality of sensors include a first light detecting element and a second light detecting element stacked one on top of the other in a thickness direction of the stretchable substrate, wherein The first light detecting element includes a first absorption layer configured to selectively detect light in a first absorption spectrum having a first absorption peak wavelength, and The second light detection element includes a second absorption layer configured to selectively detect light in a second absorption spectrum having a second absorption peak wavelength that is longer than the first absorption peak wavelength.

6. The biological imaging system according to claim 5, wherein Each of the plurality of sensors includes a first electrode on one surface of the first absorption layer of the first light detection element of the sensor, a second electrode on one surface of the second absorption layer of the second light detecting element of the sensor, and a third electrode facing the first electrode and the second electrode respectively and between the first absorption layer and the second absorption layer; and The third electrode is a common electrode of the first light detecting element and the second light detecting element.

7. The biological imaging system according to claim 5, wherein Each of the plurality of sensors further includes a third light detecting element stacked on the second light detecting element, and an insulating layer between the first light detecting element and the second light detecting element and between the second light detecting element and the third light detecting element, and The third light detection element includes a third absorption layer configured to detect light in a third absorption spectrum having a third absorption peak wavelength that is longer than the second absorption peak wavelength.

8. The biological imaging system according to claim 1, wherein The stretchable substrate includes a plurality of first regions having a first elastic modulus and second regions between adjacent first regions in the plurality of first regions, the second regions having a second elastic modulus, the first elastic modulus being higher than the second elastic modulus. The plurality of light emitters and the plurality of sensors are in separate respective first regions of the plurality of first regions of the stretchable substrate. 9 . The biological imaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the biological imaging system comprises a light emitter-sensor array, wherein the plurality of light emitters and the plurality of sensors are alternately arranged.

10. The bio-imaging system according to claim 1, wherein the bio-imaging system comprises a light emitter array, wherein the plurality of light emitters are arranged, and a sensor array in which the plurality of sensors are arranged, The light emitter array and the sensor array are at different heights from the retractable base plate.

11. The biological imaging system according to claim 10, further comprising: A light diffusion layer is provided between the light emitter array and the sensor array.

12. The biological imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising: At least one of a processing circuit and a display panel.

13. A biological imaging method comprising: fixing the biological imaging system of claim 1 on the skin of the living body, activating the plurality of light emitters to irradiate light onto the skin of the living body, and Based on the wavelength spectrum of light scattered or reflected by the internal tissue of the living body after passing through the skin of the living body, the scattered or reflected light is selectively sensed in each of the multiple light detection elements of at least one sensor among the multiple sensors of the biological imaging system to obtain multiple images.

14. The bioimaging method according to claim 13, further comprising: Differences between the plurality of images are extracted to obtain a plurality of depth images of the internal tissue of the living body according to depths from the surface of the skin.

15. The bioimaging method according to claim 14, wherein The plurality of light detecting elements of each of the plurality of sensors include a first light detection element configured to detect light in a first absorption spectrum having a first absorption peak wavelength, a second light detecting element configured to detect light in a second absorption spectrum having a second absorption peak wavelength that is longer than the first absorption peak wavelength, and a third light detecting element configured to detect light in a third absorption spectrum having a third absorption peak wavelength, the third absorption peak wavelength being longer than the second absorption peak wavelength, Wherein obtaining the plurality of depth images of the internal tissue of the living body according to the depth from the surface of the skin comprises: extracting a first depth image of the internal tissue of the living body at a first depth from the surface of the skin from a first difference between a first image obtained by the first light detecting element and a second image obtained by the second light detecting element, and A second depth image of the internal tissue of the living body at a second depth deeper than the first depth is extracted from a second difference between a third image obtained by the third light detecting element and the second image obtained by the second light detecting element.

16. The bioimaging method according to claim 14, further comprising: The plurality of depth images of the internal tissue of the living body are combined to generate a three-dimensional image of the internal tissue of the living body. The biological imaging method according to claim 13 , wherein the internal tissue of the living body includes a blood vessel.

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