Multimodal small animal in vivo imaging system and imaging method

Abstract

The application discloses a multi-modal small animal live imaging system and imaging method, wherein the imaging system comprises a first modality light generating component for generating first modality light and a second modality light generating component for generating second modality light, and further comprises a digital micromirror array and a light collection and fusion imaging system; the digital micromirror array has only one and is used for light field modulation of the first modality light and the second modality light; the light collection and fusion imaging system has only one light collection device, which is used for collecting the outgoing light of the digital micromirror array to obtain a first modality imaging result corresponding to the first modality light and a second modality imaging result corresponding to the second modality light, and fusing the first modality imaging result and the second modality imaging result to obtain a multi-modal small animal live imaging result. The system only needs one light collection device to realize multi-modal small animal live imaging, the price of the system parts is low, the structure is compact, the system complexity is low, and the imaging precision is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of small animal in vivo imaging, in particular to a multimodal small animal in vivo imaging system and imaging method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Researches by gene sequencing and the like show that small animals such as mice have high homology with human genes, and therefore it is of great significance to construct a human disease model on a small animal for disease prevention, treatment and drug effect evaluation.

[0003] The X-ray and fluorescence multimodal small animal in vivo imaging system can provide molecular level biological information and corresponding anatomical structure information of a small animal disease model under study. The structure of the existing X-ray and fluorescence multimodal small animal in vivo imaging system, as shown in FIG. 1, uses two independent area array detectors for imaging, one of which is a silicon-based area array detector 1 responsive to visible light, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), and the other is a flat panel detector 8 (FPD) responsive to X-ray. Figure 1 The silicon-based area array detector 1 responsive to visible light is used in cooperation with a lens 2 and a silicon-based area array detector data acquisition card 11 responsive to visible light to realize fluorescence modality imaging; the flat panel detector 8 responsive to X-ray is used in cooperation with an X-ray flat panel detector data acquisition card 9 to realize X-ray modality imaging. After independent imaging of the two area array detectors, the imaging results of the two modalities are registered through spatial positional relationship (usually orthogonal) to provide the final multimodal small animal imaging result.

[0004] The silicon-based area array detector 1 responsive to visible light is used in cooperation with a lens 2 and a silicon-based area array detector data acquisition card 11 responsive to visible light to realize fluorescence modality imaging; the flat panel detector 8 responsive to X-ray is used in cooperation with an X-ray flat panel detector data acquisition card 9 to realize X-ray modality imaging. After independent imaging of the two area array detectors, the imaging results of the two modalities are registered through spatial positional relationship (usually orthogonal) to provide the final multimodal small animal imaging result.

[0005] The existing X-ray and fluorescence multimodal small animal in vivo imaging system has the following problems:

[0006] 1) The rapid development of the electronics industry makes the silicon-based visible light area array detector have the advantages of long development history, mature manufacturing technology, good imaging quality, high pixel resolution, low price and easy availability, but since the X-ray waveband belongs to the non-visible light waveband, the conventional silicon-based area array detector cannot respond to X-ray, and the corresponding area array detector is expensive, has few choices and is difficult to obtain.

[0007] 2) The area array detector has a large volume, and therefore the use of two area array detectors will make the system structure occupy a large amount of space, limiting the application scenarios.

[0008] 3) Precise spatial position relationship is important for accurate positioning of the molecular level biological information provided by the fluorescence modal imaging in the X-ray modal imaging results, the X-ray and fluorescence multi-modal imaging system based on two independent area array detectors, two imaging modalities are often placed orthogonally, therefore, the relative position relationship of the two area array detectors needs to be accurately measured, as prior knowledge, the imaging results of the two modalities are spatially registered, the experiment is more difficult, and the error is more likely to occur. SUMMARY

[0009] The purpose of the present application is to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art, and provide a multi-modal small animal live imaging system and imaging method.

[0010] The purpose of the present application is realized by the following technical solutions:

[0011] The multi-modal small animal live imaging system comprises a first modal light generating assembly for generating first modal light and a second modal light generating assembly for generating second modal light, and further comprises a digital micromirror array and a light ray collection and fusion imaging system.

[0012] The digital micromirror array has only one, which is used for light field modulation of the first modal light and the second modal light.

[0013] The light ray collection and fusion imaging system is used for collecting the exit light of the digital micromirror array to obtain a first modal imaging result corresponding to the first modal light and a second modal imaging result corresponding to the second modal light, and fusing the first modal imaging result and the second modal imaging result to obtain a multi-modal small animal live imaging result, and the light ray collection and fusion imaging system has only one light ray collection device.

[0014] Preferably, the light ray collection device is a single-pixel detector, and the light ray collection and fusion imaging system further comprises a data acquisition card connected with the single-pixel detector and an industrial computer connected with the data acquisition card.

[0015] Preferably, the first modal light generating assembly at least comprises an X-ray generating device as a first light source and a scintillator plate, the scintillator plate converts the X-rays emitted by the X-ray generating device and penetrating the small animal to be imaged into visible light.

[0016] Preferably, the second modal light generating assembly comprises a second light source, the second light source is irradiated onto the small animal after being processed by a light adjusting assembly to form the second modal light.

[0017] Preferably, the second light source is a fluorescence excitation light source, the exit light of the second light source is irradiated onto the small animal to be imaged after being processed by an excitation filter, a first achromatic doublet lens and a reflector to generate fluorescence.

[0018] Preferably, a transmitting filter is arranged in front of the receiving end of the light collection device when collecting the exit light of the digital micromirror array modulating the second modality light in the light field.

[0019] Preferably, the first modality light and the second modality light are transmitted to the digital micromirror array through the second achromatic doublet lens.

[0020] Preferably, the exit light of the digital micromirror array is collected by the light collection and fusion imaging system after passing through the third achromatic doublet lens.

[0021] Preferably, the imaging system further comprises a stage for placing a small animal, and the stage is arranged such that the small animal to be imaged is located in the light path of the exit light of the first light source of the first modality light generating assembly and the exit light of the light adjusting assembly of the second modality light generating assembly.

[0022] A multi-modality small animal live imaging method, comprising the following steps:

[0023] S1, constructing the imaging system as described in any one of the above, placing a small animal to be imaged in the imaging position;

[0024] S2, in the closed state of the second light source of the second modality light generating assembly, turning on the first light source of the first modality light generating assembly, the exit light of the first light source irradiates the small animal to be imaged and generates first modality light, the digital micromirror array modulates the light field of the first modality light, and the light collection and fusion imaging system collects the exit light of the digital micromirror array and obtains the first modality imaging result;

[0025] S3, in the closed state of the first light source, turning on the second light source, the exit light of the second light source irradiates the small animal to be imaged after processing and generates second modality light, the digital micromirror array modulates the light field of the second modality light, and the light collection and fusion imaging system collects the exit light of the digital micromirror array and obtains the second modality imaging result;

[0026] S4, the light collection and fusion imaging system fuses the first modality imaging result and the second modality imaging result to obtain the multi-modality small animal live imaging result.

[0027] Preferably, the first light source is an X-ray generating device, and before or after or at the same time as turning on the first light source, a scintillator plate is arranged behind the small animal to be imaged to convert the X-rays generated by the X-ray generating device and penetrating the small animal to be imaged into visible light.

[0028] Preferably, the second light source is a fluorescence excitation light source, and a emission filter is placed in front of the receiving end of the light collection device of the light collection and fusion imaging system before or after or at the same time when the second light source is turned on.

[0029] Preferably, the first modal light and the second modal light are transmitted to the digital micromirror array through a second achromatic doublet lens;

[0030] And / or, the exit light of the digital micromirror array is collected by the light collection and fusion imaging system after passing through a third achromatic doublet lens.

[0031] The advantages of the technical scheme of the present application mainly include:

[0032] The present scheme makes the first modal light generating assembly and the second modal light generating assembly cooperate with a digital micromirror array and a set of image collection and fusion system, and only one light collection device is needed to effectively realize the imaging of multi-modal small animal living body. The whole system does not need two imaging devices and two collection cards, so that the price of the system parts is low, the structure is compact, the system complexity is low, and the problems of high cost, large size and relatively limited application scene of the existing system are effectively overcome. And one light collection device can solve the problem of accurate measurement of the relative position relationship of two independent area array detectors and the possible introduction of errors in the multi-modal registration result in the existing method.

[0033] The present scheme adopts the principle of Fourier single-pixel imaging, and the image collection device only needs a low-cost single-pixel detector, which is more conducive to reducing cost and more easily accessible equipment.

[0034] The present scheme introduces a scintillator panel to effectively convert X-ray imaging into visible light, and combines a digital micromirror array and a three-step phase shift fast Fourier single-pixel imaging architecture to enable X-ray and fluorescence multi-modal small animal living body imaging to be effectively realized with a simpler structure.

[0035] Using a single-pixel detector to realize X-ray and fluorescence multi-modal small animal living body imaging has a congenital spatial position registration, which can directly fuse the imaging results of the two modalities to obtain the final X-ray and fluorescence multi-modal small animal living body imaging result, solving the problem of accurate measurement of the relative position relationship of two independent area array detectors and the possible introduction of errors in the multi-modal registration result in the existing method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the existing X-ray and fluorescence multi-modal small animal living body imaging system described in the background art of the present application;

[0037] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the optical path for X-ray modal imaging in the multimodal small animal live imaging system of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path for fluorescence modality imaging in the multimodal small animal live imaging system of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a basic schematic diagram of the three-step phase-shift fast Fourier transform single-pixel imaging of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of achieving multimodal in vivo imaging of small animals using X-rays and fluorescence in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The objectives, advantages, and features of this invention will be illustrated and explained through the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments. These embodiments are merely typical examples of applying the technical solutions of this invention, and all technical solutions formed by equivalent substitutions or equivalent transformations fall within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0042] In the description of the solution, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience and simplification of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Also, in the description of the solution, with the operator as a reference, the direction closer to the operator is the proximal end, and the direction farther from the operator is the distal end.

[0043] Example 1

[0044] The multimodal small animal live imaging system disclosed in this invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 2 Appendix Figure 3 As shown, it includes a first-mode light generating component that generates a first-mode light and a second-mode light generating component that generates a second-mode light, as well as a digital micromirror array 15 (DMD) and a light acquisition and fusion imaging system;

[0045] There is one and only one digital micromirror array 15, which is used to modulate the light field of the first mode light and the second mode light.

[0046] The light collection fusion imaging system is used for collecting the exit light of the DMD 15 to obtain a first modality imaging result corresponding to the first modality light and a second modality imaging result corresponding to the second modality light, and fusing the first modality imaging result and the second modality imaging result to obtain a multi-modality small animal live imaging result. The light collection fusion imaging system has only one light collection device.

[0047] The light collection fusion imaging system in the embodiment is used for corresponding imaging according to the principle of three-step phase shift Fourier single-pixel imaging. At this time, the light collection device is a single-pixel detector. Of course, in another embodiment, the light collection fusion imaging system can also use other feasible methods to collect and image the exit light of the DMD 15. At this time, the light collection device can also use a known image collection equipment, such as a CCD.

[0048] The specific content of three-step phase shift Fourier single-pixel imaging will be mainly described below. Fourier single-pixel imaging is a known imaging technology. As shown in FIG. 2, the principle is to sample and image an original object in a Fourier spectrum domain. After the Fourier spectrum of the original object is calculated, the image of the original object is reconstructed by inverse Fourier transform. The specific principle of Fourier single-pixel imaging is as follows: Figure 4

[0049] Suppose that an original object to be reconstructed is represented by an image I with a pixel resolution of MxN. The Fourier spectrum corresponding to the image I is F. For a specific Fourier spectrum coefficient F(u, v), three Fourier basis patterns P φ (x, y, u, v) with different initial phases φ (φ = 0, 2π / 3, 4π / 3 rad) need to be loaded on the image I to modulate the light field distribution of the image I. The mathematical expression of the Fourier basis pattern is as follows:

[0050]

[0051] Wherein, x, y and u, v represent two-dimensional Cartesian coordinates in the spatial domain and the Fourier spectrum domain, respectively.

[0052] The sum of the modulated light field is obtained as follows:

[0053]

[0054] Wherein, I(x, y) is the original object, and n represents a detection noise term.

[0055] The corresponding Fourier spectrum coefficient F(u, v) can be calculated by the following formula:

[0056] ​

[0057] wherein j is the imaginary unit.

[0058] The differential detection can reduce the influence of the detection noise term n, so that the whole algorithm has better robustness; by traversing all Fourier spectrum coefficients F(u, v), the Fourier spectrum coefficient F corresponding to the image I is obtained, and finally the image I is reconstructed by inverse Fourier transform. The inverse Fourier transform is a known technology and will not be repeated here.

[0059] In order to realize the light field modulation of the image I on the imaging system, the digital micromirror array 15 is used in the scheme. The digital micromirror array 15 includes a large number of micro mirrors with the same size. Each micro mirror can rotate a specific angle along the diagonal axis direction, for example, ±10° or ±12°. Therefore, the collimated light incident on the digital micromirror array 15 will have two directions of exit. Receiving the exit light in a specific direction can realize binary modulation (0 or 1 modulation) of the incident light field. The specific structure of the digital micromirror array 15 and its control principle are known technologies and will not be repeated here.

[0060] The digital micromirror array 15 has a high refresh rate when working in the binary mode. In order to use the digital micromirror array 15 for binary modulation and realize three-step phase shift fast Fourier single-pixel imaging, the three Fourier base patterns P φ (x, y, u, v) are binary processed using the Floyd-Stanberger dithering algorithm and then loaded onto the digital micromirror array 15 for display.

[0061] When the first modal light and the second modal light are incident on the digital micromirror array 15, the digital micromirror array 15 adjusts the switching state of each micro mirror according to the loaded three Fourier base patterns, so as to realize light field modulation of the first modal light and the second modal light. The exit light of the digital micromirror array 15 is collected by the light ray collection and fusion imaging system. The light ray collection and fusion imaging system reconstructs the image according to the Fourier single-pixel imaging principle.

[0062] The first modal light can be selected as needed, for example, it can be visible light converted from far infrared waves, terahertz magnetic waves, or the first modal light is other visible light that can be used for medical imaging. In the embodiment, the first modal light is visible light converted from X-rays penetrating the small animal 5 to be imaged. Correspondingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the first modal light generation assembly at least includes an X-ray generation device as a first light source 4. The X-ray generation device serves as an excitation source for X-ray modal imaging. It can be an X-ray tube, a CT tube, or other available devices, which are not limited here. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 2, the first modal light generation assembly at least includes an X-ray generation device as a first light source 4. The X-ray generation device serves as an excitation source for X-ray modal imaging. It can be an X-ray tube, a CT tube, or other available devices, which are not limited here.

[0063] When the X-rays emitted by the X-ray generating device irradiate and penetrate the small animal 5 to be imaged, X-rays containing anatomical information of the small animal 5 are obtained. However, due to the high penetrability of X-rays, the digital micromirror array 15 cannot effectively modulate the light field of the X-rays, and therefore cannot be applied to three-step phase-shifting fast Fourier single-pixel imaging.

[0064] As attached Figure 2 As shown, in order to solve this problem, when performing X-ray modal imaging (first modal imaging), a scintillator plate 17 is placed in the optical path of the X-ray and behind the small animal 5 to be imaged. The scintillator plate 17 converts the X-rays that pass through the small animal 5 and cannot be modulated by the digital micromirror array 15 into modulated visible light. Thus, the three-step phase-shift Fourier single-pixel imaging of X-rays can be realized by using the digital micromirror array 15 and the light acquisition fusion imaging system.

[0065] As attached Figure 3 As shown, the second mode of light can also be selected according to actual needs, such as annihilation radiation photons generated in positron emission tomography, or the visible light described in the first mode of light above.

[0066] In this embodiment, the second modal light generating component includes a second light source 7. The emitted light from the second light source 7 is processed by a dimming component and then irradiates the small animal to form the second modal light. More preferably, the second modal light is fluorescence. Correspondingly, the second light source 7 is preferably a fluorescence excitation light source to achieve fluorescence modal imaging. The second light source can be a feasible light source device such as a mercury lamp. The emitted light from the mercury lamp is irradiated onto the small animal 5 to be imaged after passing through an excitation filter 6, a first achromatic doublet lens 19, and a reflector 18 to generate fluorescence carrying molecular-level biological information. The excitation filter 6, the first achromatic doublet lens 19, and the reflector 18 constitute the dimming component, and the reflector 18 is preferably a silver-plated mirror reflector.

[0067] When performing fluorescence modal imaging, an emission filter 3 needs to be placed in front of the receiving end of the light acquisition device of the light acquisition fusion imaging system so that the light acquisition device can receive the required fluorescence signal.

[0068] Correspondingly, when performing the three-step phase shift Fourier single-pixel imaging, the light collection and fusion imaging system specifically comprises a single-pixel detector 13, a data collection card 12 and an industrial computer 10 connected in sequence. The single-pixel detector 13 can be an electric diode, an avalanche photodiode, a photomultiplier tube or the like, which receives the outgoing light of the digital micromirror array 15 and generates a corresponding voltage signal. The data collection card 12 collects the voltage signal and sends it to the industrial computer 10, which performs corresponding imaging processing according to the received signal according to the principle of the three-step phase shift Fourier single-pixel imaging.

[0069] More preferably, the first modal light (visible light converted from X-ray through the scintillator panel 17) and the second modal light (fluorescent light) are transmitted to the digital micromirror array 15 after passing through the second achromatic doublet lens 16. At the same time, the outgoing light of the digital micromirror array 15 is collected by the light collection device after passing through the third achromatic doublet lens 14. Moreover, when performing the fluorescent modal imaging, the emission filter 3 is located between the third achromatic doublet lens 14 and the single-pixel detector 13.

[0070] Further, in order to facilitate detection operation, the multi-modal small animal live imaging system can be configured with a stage for placing a live small animal, which makes the small animal 5 to be imaged on the stage to be located on the light path of the outgoing light of the first light source 4 of the first modal light generation assembly and the outgoing light of the light modulation assembly of the second modal light generation assembly. The specific structure of the stage is known technology, which is not described here. At the same time, the positions of the components of the first modal light generation assembly, the second modal light generation assembly, the digital micromirror array 15 and the light collection and fusion imaging system are fixed, so that when imaging is needed, the small animal 5 to be imaged can be directly placed on the stage for corresponding imaging. At the same time, the system reserves a reserved position for plugging and unplugging the scintillator panel 17 and the emission filter 3, so that the imaging system does not need to be built on site when imaging. Of course, the stage is not necessary, and the imaging system can be built on site according to actual needs.

[0071] Embodiment 2

[0072] This embodiment discloses a multi-modal small animal live imaging method, as shown in the accompanying drawings, comprising the following steps: Figure 5 S1, constructing the imaging system as described in Embodiment 1 above, and placing the small animal 5 to be imaged at the imaging position;

[0073] S1, constructing the imaging system as described in Embodiment 1 above, and placing the small animal 5 to be imaged at the imaging position;

[0074] S2, in the second light source 7 of the second modality light generating assembly is in the off state, open the first light source 4 of the first modality light generating assembly, the exit light of the first light source 4 irradiates the small animal 5 to be imaged and generates the first modality light, the digital micromirror array 15 carries out the light field modulation to the first modality light, the light ray collection fusion imaging system collects the exit light of the digital micromirror array 15 and obtains the first modality imaging result;

[0075] S3, in the off state of the first light source 4, open the second light source 7, the exit light of the second light source 7 is irradiated on the small animal 5 to be imaged after processing and generates the second modality light, the digital micromirror array 15 carries out the light field modulation to the second modality light, the light ray collection fusion imaging system collects the exit light of the digital micromirror array 15 and obtains the second modality imaging result;

[0076] S4, the light ray collection fusion imaging system fuses the first modality imaging result and the second modality imaging result to obtain the multi-modality small animal live imaging result.

[0077] More preferably, a preferred embodiment of the multi-modality small animal imaging method is to image the tumor mouse labeled with fluorescent protein, so as to analyze the anatomical structure information of tumor cells and the corresponding molecular level biological information of tumor cells.

[0078] Correspondingly, in S1, the tumor mouse is placed horizontally on the stage for imaging, and the position of the tumor mouse on the stage is the imaging position.

[0079] In S2, the first light source 4 is an X-ray generating device, and when operating, a scintillator plate 17 located behind the small animal 5 to be imaged is first arranged in the light path of the X-ray, and then the X-ray generating device is opened. Of course, the X-ray generating device can also be opened first, and then the scintillator plate 17 is placed or multiple people can simultaneously open and place the scintillator plate. Taking an X-ray tube as an example, the cone-shaped X-ray emitted by the X-ray tube penetrates the tumor mouse and is converted into visible light by the scintillator plate 17, the visible light is transmitted to the digital micromirror array 15 after the second achromatic doublet lens 16, the digital micromirror array 15 loads the Fourier basis graph to modulate the light field of the visible light, the exit light after modulation is received by the single-pixel detector 13 after the third achromatic doublet lens 14, and a corresponding voltage signal is generated, the data acquisition card 12 collects the voltage signal and sends it to the industrial computer 10, the industrial computer 10 calculates the Fourier spectrum of the X-ray modality, and reconstructs the X-ray modality imaging result (the first modality imaging result) by using the inverse Fourier transform.

[0080] In the S3, the second light source 7 is a mercury lamp, and in the specific operation, the X-ray tube can be closed first, then the mercury lamp is opened, and before or after or at the same time of opening the mercury lamp, the emission filter 3 is placed in front of the receiving end of the single-pixel detector 13 of the light ray collection and fusion imaging system.

[0081] After the mercury lamp is opened, the emitted light is irradiated on the tumor mouse to generate fluorescence of the molecular level biological information of the tumor cells, the fluorescence is transmitted to the digital micromirror array 15 after the second achromatic doublet lens 16, the digital micromirror array 15 loads the Fourier basis to perform light field modulation on the incident light, the modulated emitted light is received by the single-pixel detector 13 after the third achromatic doublet lens 14 and generates a corresponding voltage signal, the data acquisition card 12 collects the voltage signal and sends it to the industrial computer 10, the industrial computer 10 calculates the Fourier spectrum of the fluorescence mode, and the fluorescence mode imaging result (the second mode imaging result) is obtained by using the Fourier inverse transform reconstruction.

[0082] Of course, in the specific imaging operation, the fluorescence mode imaging can be performed first, and then the X-ray mode imaging is performed.

[0083] In the S4, the industrial computer 10 fuses the X-ray mode imaging result and the fluorescence mode imaging result to obtain the X-ray and fluorescence multi-modal small animal live body imaging result. The specific fusion method is a known technology, which is not limited here.

[0084] The present application has various embodiments, and all the technical solutions formed by using equivalent transformation or equivalent transformation fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A multimodal small animal live imaging system, comprising a first modal light generating component for generating a first modal light and a second modal light generating component for generating a second modal light, characterized in that: It also includes digital micromirror arrays and light-gathering fusion imaging systems; There is one and only one digital micromirror array, which is used to modulate the light field of the first mode light and the second mode light; The light acquisition and fusion imaging system is used to acquire the emitted light from the digital micromirror array to obtain a first modal imaging result corresponding to the first modal light and a second modal imaging result corresponding to the second modal light, and to fuse the first modal imaging result and the second modal imaging result to obtain a multimodal small animal live imaging result. The light acquisition and fusion imaging system has one and only one light acquisition device.

2. The multimodal small animal live imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light acquisition device is a single-pixel detector, and the light acquisition fusion imaging system also includes a data acquisition card connected to the single-pixel detector and an industrial control computer connected to the data acquisition card.

3. The multimodal small animal live imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first modal light generating component includes at least an X-ray generating device as a first light source and a scintillator plate, wherein the scintillator plate converts the X-rays emitted by the X-ray generating device that penetrate the small animal to be imaged into visible light.

4. The multimodal small animal live imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second modal light generating component includes a second light source, which is processed by a dimming component and then irradiated onto the small animal to form the second modal light.

5. The multimodal small animal live imaging system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second light source is a fluorescent excitation light source. The emitted light from the second light source passes through an excitation filter, a first achromatic doublet lens, and a reflector before illuminating the small animal to be imaged to generate fluorescence.

6. The multimodal small animal live imaging system according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the light-collecting device collects the emitted light from the digital micromirror array that modulates the light field of the second mode, an emission filter is provided in front of its receiving end.

7. The multimodal small animal live imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first mode light and the second mode light are transmitted to the digital micromirror array after passing through the second achromatic cemented doublet lens; And / or, the emitted light from the digital micromirror array is captured by the light acquisition and fusion imaging system after passing through a third achromatic cemented doublet lens.

8. The multimodal small animal live imaging system according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: It also includes a platform for placing small animals, wherein the platform positions the small animal to be imaged on the optical path of the emitted light from the first light source of the first modal light generating component and the emitted light from the dimming component of the second modal light generating component.

9. A multimodal small animal live imaging method, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1, Construct an imaging system as described in any one of claims 1-8, and place the small animal to be imaged at the imaging position; S2, with the second light source of the second modal light generation component in the off state, the first light source of the first modal light generation component is turned on, the emitted light of the first light source illuminates the small animal to be imaged and generates the first modal light, the digital micromirror array modulates the light field of the first modal light, and the light acquisition and fusion imaging system acquires the emitted light of the digital micromirror array and obtains the first modal imaging result. S3, with the first light source off, the second light source is turned on. The emitted light from the second light source is processed and then irradiates the small animal to be imaged, generating a second modal light. The digital micromirror array modulates the light field of the second modal light. The light acquisition and fusion imaging system acquires the emitted light from the digital micromirror array and obtains the second modal imaging result. S4, the light acquisition fusion imaging system fuses the first modal imaging results and the second modal imaging results to obtain multimodal small animal live imaging results.

10. The multimodal small animal live imaging method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first light source is an X-ray generating device. Before, after, or simultaneously with turning on the first light source, a scintillator plate is placed behind the small animal to be imaged to convert the X-rays generated by the X-ray generating device that penetrate the small animal to be imaged into visible light.

11. The multimodal small animal live imaging method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The second light source is a fluorescent excitation light source. Before, after, or simultaneously with turning on the second light source, an emission filter is placed in front of the receiving end of the light acquisition device of the light acquisition fusion imaging system.

12. The multimodal small animal live imaging method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first mode light and the second mode light are transmitted to the digital micromirror array after passing through the second achromatic cemented doublet lens; And / or, the emitted light from the digital micromirror array is captured by the light acquisition and fusion imaging system after passing through a third achromatic cemented doublet lens.

Images