Biological imaging system, electronic device and biological imaging method

Abstract

Biological imaging systems, electronic devices, and biological imaging methods are disclosed. The biological imaging system includes a substrate, a light source on the substrate, and a sensor on the substrate, wherein at least one of the light source and the sensor is configured to emit or absorb light of different wavelength spectrums. The biological imaging system is configured to process a plurality of images obtained based on the light of the different wavelength spectrums to obtain a three-dimensional image of internal tissue of a living body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The biological imaging system and biological imaging method were disclosed. Background Technology

[0002] Various devices for obtaining images of the internal tissues (such as blood vessels) of a living body have been used for a variety of purposes (such as healthcare or security). For example, images of the internal tissues (such as blood vessels) of a living body can be obtained by shining a light source on the skin and using a camera. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Some exemplary implementations provide bioimaging systems capable of obtaining clear three-dimensional images of internal tissues at specific depths in a living organism. Such systems can address problems associated with images obtained by illuminating skin with a light source and using a camera, where the images can include all images of the skin and blood vessels located at the points where light passes. In particular, such systems can overcome limitations in selectively obtaining images of target internal tissues in a living organism. Furthermore, compared to systems that obtain images by illuminating skin with a light source and using a camera, such systems can more easily obtain clear images due to mitigating or preventing problems related to light scattering caused by skin and thus improving image sharpness.

[0004] Some example implementations provide bioimaging methods using bioimaging systems.

[0005] Some example implementations provide electronic devices that include bioimaging systems.

[0006] According to some example embodiments, a bioimaging system may include a substrate, a light source on the substrate, and a sensor on the substrate. At least one of the light source and the sensor may be configured to emit or absorb light of different wavelength spectra. The bioimaging system may be configured to process multiple images obtained based on light of different wavelength spectra to obtain three-dimensional images of the internal tissues of a living organism.

[0007] The light source may include a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source configured to emit light with different emission spectra within the visible wavelength spectrum to the infrared wavelength spectrum.

[0008] The first light source may include a first light-emitting element configured to emit light having a first emission spectrum with a first maximum emission wavelength. The second light source may include a second light-emitting element configured to emit light having a second emission spectrum with a second maximum emission wavelength longer than the first maximum emission wavelength. The third light source may include a third light-emitting element configured to emit light having a third emission spectrum with a third maximum emission wavelength longer than the second maximum emission wavelength. The difference between the first and second maximum emission wavelengths, and the difference between the second and third maximum emission wavelengths, may both be greater than or equal to about 10 nm.

[0009] Each of the first, second, and third light sources may include a single light-emitting element from a plurality of light-emitting elements configured to emit light with the same emission spectrum. Each of the first, second, and third light sources may also include a single color filter from a plurality of color filters, wherein the plurality of color filters overlap with each of the individual light-emitting elements in a direction extending in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate.

[0010] The plurality of color filters may include a first color filter included in a first light source, the first color filter being configured to selectively transmit light having a first transmission spectrum having a first maximum transmission wavelength. The plurality of color filters may include a second color filter included in a second light source, the second color filter being configured to selectively transmit light having a second transmission spectrum having a second maximum transmission wavelength, the second maximum transmission wavelength being longer than the first maximum transmission wavelength. The plurality of color filters may include a third color filter included in a third light source, the third color filter being configured to selectively transmit light having a third transmission spectrum having a third maximum transmission wavelength, the third maximum transmission wavelength being longer than the second maximum transmission wavelength. Each of the first maximum transmission wavelength, the second maximum transmission wavelength, and the third maximum transmission wavelength is within the same emission spectrum that the plurality of light-emitting elements are configured to emit. The difference between the first maximum transmission wavelength and the second maximum transmission wavelength, and the difference between the second maximum transmission wavelength and the third maximum transmission wavelength, may both be greater than or equal to about 10 nm.

[0011] The first light source, the second light source, and the third light source can be arranged in a linear sequence along the in-plane direction of the substrate.

[0012] The light source may include multiple light-emitting elements configured to emit light with the same emission spectrum. The bioimaging system may also include multiple color filters that overlap with each of the individual light-emitting elements in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate, and the multiple color filters are configured to provide wavelength selectivity for the same emission spectrum.

[0013] The sensor may include a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor configured to absorb light with absorption spectra that are different from each other in the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum.

[0014] A first sensor may include a first light-absorbing element configured to absorb light having a first absorption spectrum with a first maximum absorption wavelength. A second sensor may include a second light-absorbing element configured to absorb light having a second absorption spectrum with a second maximum absorption wavelength longer than the first maximum absorption wavelength. A third sensor may include a third light-absorbing element configured to absorb light having a third absorption spectrum with a third maximum absorption wavelength longer than the second maximum absorption wavelength. The difference between the first and second maximum absorption wavelengths, and the difference between the second and third maximum absorption wavelengths, may both be greater than or equal to about 10 nm.

[0015] Each of the first, second, and third sensors may include a single light-absorbing element among a plurality of light-absorbing elements and a single color filter among a plurality of color filters, wherein the single color filter of the sensor overlaps with the single light-absorbing element of the sensor in a direction extending in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate, wherein the plurality of light-absorbing elements are configured to absorb light of the same absorption spectrum.

[0016] The plurality of color filters may include a first color filter included in a first sensor, which selectively transmits light having a first transmission spectrum having a first maximum transmission wavelength. The plurality of color filters may include a second color filter included in a second sensor, which selectively transmits light having a second transmission spectrum having a second maximum transmission wavelength, which is longer than the first maximum transmission wavelength. The plurality of color filters may include a third color filter included in a third sensor, which selectively transmits light having a third transmission spectrum having a third maximum transmission wavelength, which is longer than the second maximum transmission wavelength. Each of the first, second, and third maximum transmission wavelengths is within the same absorption spectrum configured for absorption by the plurality of optical absorbing elements. The difference between the first and second maximum transmission wavelengths, and the difference between the second and third maximum transmission wavelengths, may both be greater than or equal to about 10 nm.

[0017] The first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor can be arranged in a linear sequence along the in-plane direction of the substrate.

[0018] The light source may include a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source configured to emit light with different emission spectra within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum. The sensor may include a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor configured to absorb light with absorption spectra that are different from each other within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum.

[0019] The light source and sensor can be arranged in a linear sequence along the in-plane direction of the substrate.

[0020] The bioimaging system may also include a color filter that overlaps with the light source or sensor in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate. The color filter may be a wavelength-tunable color filter configured to selectively transmit light with a transmission spectrum that varies depending on the voltage applied to the wavelength-tunable color filter.

[0021] The light source may include a wavelength-tunable light-emitting element configured to selectively emit light with an emission spectrum that changes based on the voltage applied to the wavelength-tunable light-emitting element.

[0022] The sensor may include a wavelength-tunable light-absorbing element configured to selectively absorb light whose absorption spectrum changes based on the voltage applied to the wavelength-tunable light-absorbing element.

[0023] The bioimaging system may include a light source array comprising multiple light sources, the multiple light sources including the light source. The bioimaging system may also include a sensor array comprising multiple sensors, the multiple sensors including the sensor. The light source array and the sensor array may be positioned at different heights from the substrate in a direction extending in-plane perpendicular to the substrate.

[0024] The bioimaging system may also include a light diffusion layer between the light source array and the sensor array.

[0025] According to some example implementations, an electronic device may include a bioimaging system.

[0026] According to some example implementations, a bioimaging method may include: fixing a bioimaging system to the skin of a living organism; illuminating the skin with a light source of the bioimaging system; and having a sensor of the bioimaging system absorb light that has passed through the skin and been scattered and reflected by the internal tissues of the living organism to obtain multiple images based on light of different wavelength spectra.

[0027] The bioimaging method may also include extracting differences between the multiple images to obtain multiple extracted images of the internal tissues of a living organism based on the depth of the skin surface.

[0028] The light source may include a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source configured to emit light with different emission spectra within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum. Enabling the light source of the bioimaging system to emit light may include sequentially emitting light from the first, second, and third light sources.

[0029] Extracting differences between the plurality of images may include extracting a first image of internal tissue of the living organism at a first depth from the skin surface based on differences between an image obtained by illuminating a second light source and an image obtained by illuminating a first light source. Extracting differences between the plurality of images may include extracting a second image of internal tissue of the living organism at a second depth deeper than the first depth based on differences between an image obtained by illuminating a third light source and an image obtained by illuminating a second light source.

[0030] The sensors may include a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor configured to absorb light with absorption spectra that differ from each other. Extracting differences between the plurality of images may include extracting a first image of internal tissue of a living organism at a first depth from the skin surface based on differences between an image obtained based on light absorption by the second sensor and an image obtained based on light absorption by the first sensor. Extracting differences between the plurality of images may include extracting a second image of internal tissue of a living organism at a second depth deeper than the first depth based on differences between an image obtained based on light absorption by the third sensor and an image obtained based on light absorption by the second sensor.

[0031] The bioimaging method may also include obtaining three-dimensional images of the internal tissues of a living organism based on combining the multiple extracted images.

[0032] The bioimaging method may also include obtaining a corrected image from a portion of a light source or a portion of a sensor before obtaining a three-dimensional image, and using the corrected image to correct the plurality of extracted images.

[0033] The internal tissues of a living organism can include blood vessels.

[0034] According to some example embodiments, a bioimaging system may include a processor and a memory storing instructions. The processor may be configured to execute instructions to: control a light source to emit light thereby illuminating the skin of a living organism; process signals to produce multiple images of the organism's internal tissues based on light of different wavelength spectra, the signals being generated by a sensor based on light absorbed by the sensor as the emitted light illuminates the living organism's skin and is scattered and reflected by the internal tissues; and extract differences between the multiple images to produce multiple extracted images of the organism's internal tissues based on depth from the skin surface.

[0035] The light source may include a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source configured to emit light with different emission spectra within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum. Controlling the light source may include sequentially emitting light from the first, second, and third light sources. Extracting differences between the plurality of images may include extracting a first image of internal tissue of a living organism located at a first depth from the skin surface based on the difference between an image generated by emitting light from the second light source and an image generated by emitting light from the first light source. Extracting differences between the plurality of images may include extracting a second image of internal tissue of a living organism located at a second depth deeper than the first depth based on the difference between an image generated by emitting light from the third light source and an image generated by emitting light from the second light source.

[0036] The sensors may include a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor configured to absorb light with absorption spectra that differ from each other. Extracting differences between the plurality of images may include extracting a first image of internal tissue of a living organism at a first depth from the skin surface based on differences between an image generated based on light absorption by the second sensor and an image generated based on light absorption by the first sensor. Extracting differences between the plurality of images may include extracting a second image of internal tissue of a living organism at a second depth deeper than the first depth based on differences between an image generated based on light absorption by the third sensor and an image generated based on light absorption by the second sensor.

[0037] The processor can be configured to run instructions to produce a three-dimensional image of the organism's internal tissues based on the combination of the multiple extracted images.

[0038] The processor can be configured to run instructions to generate a corrected image from a portion of the light source or a portion of the sensor before generating a 3D image, and to use the corrected image to correct the plurality of extracted images.

[0039] It can clearly obtain three-dimensional images of internal tissues (e.g., blood vessels) located at a specific depth from the skin. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 This is a plan view of a bioimaging system based on some example embodiments.

[0041] Figure 2A Based on some example implementations Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the bioimaging system taken along line II-II'.

[0042] Figure 2B and Figure 2C This illustrates some example implementations. Figure 1 and Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of an example optoelectronic element shown.

[0043] Figure 3 This illustrates some example implementations. Figure 1 and Figures 2A to 2C A plan view of an example of a bioimaging system shown.

[0044] Figure 4 Based on some example implementations Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an example of a bioimaging system taken along line IV-IV'.

[0045] Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C and Figure 5D This illustrates some example implementations. Figure 3 and Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an example light source shown.

[0046] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This illustrates some example implementations. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The graph shows an example of the wavelength spectrum of the light source and sensor in the bioimaging system.

[0047] Figure 7 Based on some example implementations Figure 3 Another example of a bioimaging system is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV'.

[0048] Figure 8A , Figure 8B , Figure 8C and Figure 8D This illustrates some example implementations. Figure 3 and Figure 7 The graph shows an example of the wavelength spectrum of the light source and sensor in the bioimaging system.

[0049] Figure 9 This illustrates some example implementations. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of another example of a biological imaging system.

[0050] Figure 10 This illustrates some example implementations. Figures 1 to 2C A plan view of an example of a bioimaging system shown.

[0051] Figure 11 Based on some example implementations Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of an example of a bioimaging system taken along line XI-XI'.

[0052] Figure 12A , Figure 12B , Figure 12C and Figure 12D This illustrates some example implementations. Figure 10 and Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of an example sensor shown.

[0053] Figure 13A and Figure 13B This illustrates some example implementations. Figure 10 and Figure 11 The graph shows an example of the wavelength spectrum of the light source and sensor in the bioimaging system.

[0054] Figure 14 Based on some example implementations Figure 10 Another example of a bioimaging system is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI'.

[0055] Figure 15A , Figure 15B and Figure 15C This illustrates some example implementations. Figure 10 and Figure 14 The graph shows an example of the wavelength spectrum of the light source and sensor in the bioimaging system.

[0056] Figure 16 This illustrates some example implementations. Figures 1 to 2C A plan view of an example of a bioimaging system shown.

[0057] Figure 17 yes Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of an example of a bioimaging system taken along line XVII-XVII'.

[0058] Figure 18 This illustrates some example implementations. Figures 1 to 2C A plan view of an example of a bioimaging system shown.

[0059] Figure 19 Based on some example implementations Figure 18 A cross-sectional view of an example of a bioimaging system taken along line XIX-XIX'.

[0060] Figure 20 Based on some example implementations Figure 18 Another example of a bioimaging system is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX'.

[0061] Figure 21 Based on some example implementations Figure 18 Another example of a bioimaging system is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX'.

[0062] Figure 22 This is a perspective view illustrating an example of a bioimaging system according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0063] Figure 23 Based on some example implementations Figure 22 A cross-sectional view of a portion of an example of a bioimaging system.

[0064] Figure 24 Based on some example implementations Figure 22 A cross-sectional view of a portion of another example of a bioimaging system.

[0065] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method for obtaining image information of the internal tissues of a living organism using a bioimaging system, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0066] Figure 26 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method for obtaining image information of the internal tissues of a living organism according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0067] Figure 27A and Figure 27B This is achieved through processing via embodiments based on some examples. Figure 25 and Figure 26 The method uses multiple images to obtain a schematic diagram of a 3D image.

[0068] Figure 28 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method for obtaining image information of the internal tissues of a living organism using a bioimaging system, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0069] Figure 29 This illustrates some example implementations. Figure 28 A schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method for obtaining image information of internal tissues in a living organism using a biological imaging system.

[0070] Figure 30 This illustrates the use according to some example implementations. Figure 10 A schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method using a biological imaging system to obtain image information of the internal tissues of a living organism.

[0071] Figure 31A , Figure 31B and Figure 31C This is a simulated graph showing the distribution of each blood vessel when multiple blood vessels are distributed along the depth direction, based on some example implementations using the bioimaging system according to Example 1.

[0072] Figure 32 This is a diagram illustrating signals obtained from the depth of a living organism using the bioimaging system according to Example 2, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0073] Figure 33 This illustrates an approach to, according to some example implementations, in... Figure 32 A graph of the signal measured at each wavelength in the four pixels, and

[0074] Figure 34 These are schematic diagrams of electronic devices according to some example embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0075] The following describes some example implementations in detail, enabling those skilled in the art to readily implement them. However, the structures for practical applications can be implemented in various different forms and are not limited to those described herein.

[0076] In the accompanying drawings, the thicknesses 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 "on" another element, the element may be directly on that other element or an intervening element may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as "directly on" another element, no intervening element is present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as "on" another element, the element may be above, below, or adjacent to that other element (e.g., horizontally adjacent).

[0077] It will be understood that an element and / or its properties (e.g., structure, surface, orientation, etc.) that can be described as "perpendicular", "parallel", "coplanar" or so relative to other elements and / or their properties (e.g., structure, surface, orientation, etc.) can be "perpendicular", "parallel", "coplanar" or so relative to those other elements and / or their properties, or "substantially perpendicular", "substantially parallel", "substantially coplanar" or so respectively.

[0078] An element and / or its properties that are “substantially perpendicular” to other elements and / or their properties (e.g., structure, surface, orientation, etc.) will be understood as being “perpendicular” to such other elements and / or their properties within manufacturing and / or material tolerances, and / or having a deviation in magnitude and / or angle of equal to or less than 10% relative to such other elements and / or their properties (e.g., ±10% tolerance).

[0079] A component and / or its properties that are “substantially parallel” to other components and / or their properties (e.g., structure, surface, orientation, etc.) will be understood as being “parallel” to the other components and / or their properties within manufacturing and / or material tolerances, and / or having a deviation in magnitude and / or angle of equal to or less than 10% relative to the “parallel” (e.g., ±10% tolerance) relative to the other components and / or their properties.

[0080] An element and / or its properties that are “substantially coplanar” with respect to other elements and / or its properties (e.g., structure, surface, orientation, etc.) will be understood as being “coplanar” with respect to the other elements and / or its properties within manufacturing and / or material tolerances, and / or having a deviation in magnitude and / or angle of equal to or less than 10% relative to “coplanar” with respect to the other elements and / or its properties (e.g., ±10% tolerance).

[0081] It will be understood that an element and / or its properties may be described herein as “identical” or “equal” to other elements. It will also be understood that an element and / or its properties described herein as “equivalent,” “identical,” or “equal” to other elements and / or its properties may be “equivalent,” “identical,” or “equal” to, or “substantially equivalent,” “substantially the same,” or “substantially equal” to those other elements and / or its properties. Element and / or its properties that are “substantially equivalent,” “substantially the same,” or “substantially equal” to other elements and / or its properties will be understood to include elements and / or its properties that are equivalent, identical, or equal to those other elements and / or its properties within manufacturing tolerances and / or material tolerances. Element and / or its properties that are equivalent or substantially equivalent to and / or identical or substantially the same as other elements and / or its properties may be structurally identical or substantially identical, functionally identical or substantially identical, and / or compositionally identical or substantially identical.

[0082] It will be understood that elements and / or properties described herein as “substantially” identical and / or equivalent encompass elements and / or properties having a relative difference in magnitude of equal to or less than 10%. Furthermore, regardless of whether elements and / or properties are modified to “substantially,” it will be understood that such elements and / or properties should be interpreted to include manufacturing or operational tolerances (e.g., ±10%) surrounding the stated elements and / or properties.

[0083] When the terms “about” or “substantially” are used in conjunction with numerical values ​​in this specification, it means that the relevant numerical value includes a tolerance of ±10% around the stated numerical value. When a range is specified, the range includes all values ​​within that range, such as increments of 0.1%.

[0084] In the following text, "wavelength spectrum" may refer to emission spectrum, absorption spectrum, or transmission spectrum.

[0085] The following describes a bioimaging system according to some example implementations.

[0086] A bioimaging system is an imaging device that can provide spatial distribution information such as location, shape, size and / or thickness of internal tissues (such as blood vessels) in a living organism.

[0087] Figure 1This is a plan view of a bioimaging system based on some example embodiments. Figure 2A yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the bioimaging system taken along line II-II'. Figure 2B and Figure 2C It is shown Figure 1 and Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of an example of an optoelectronic element is shown.

[0088] A bioimaging system 100 according to some example embodiments includes a substrate 110 and a plurality of optoelectronic elements 200.

[0089] The substrate 110 may be located beneath the plurality of photoelectric elements 200 to support them. The substrate 110 may be in contact with or near a living organism (e.g., the skin of a living organism) and may have high light transmittance, allowing light emitted from or flowing into the photoelectric elements 200 to pass through. The light transmittance of the substrate 110 may be greater than or equal to about 70%, greater than or equal to about 75%, greater than or equal to about 80%, greater than or equal to about 85%, greater than or equal to about 90%, greater than or equal to about 95%, greater than or equal to about 97%, greater than or equal to about 98%, or greater than or equal to about 99%.

[0090] The substrate 110 may be a stretchable substrate. A stretchable substrate can flexibly respond to external forces or external movements, such as twisting, pressing and pulling, and can easily return to its original state.

[0091] The stretchable substrate may include stretchable materials such as elastomers, which may include organic elastomers, organic / inorganic elastomers, inorganic elastomers, or combinations thereof. Organic elastomers or organic / inorganic elastomers may be, for example, substituted or unsubstituted polyorganosiloxanes (such as polydimethylsiloxane), elastomers including substituted or unsubstituted butadiene moieties (such as styrene-ethylene-butene-styrene), elastomers including urethane moieties, elastomers including acrylic moieties, elastomers including olefin moieties, or combinations thereof, but are not limited thereto. Inorganic elastomers may include, but are not limited to, elastic ceramics, solid metals, liquid metals, or combinations thereof.

[0092] The substrate 110 may include regions with different stiffnesses relative to each other, such as a rigid region 110a with relatively high stiffness and a soft region 110b with relatively low stiffness. Here, stiffness refers to the degree of resistance to deformation when an external force is applied. Relatively high stiffness means that the resistance to deformation is relatively large, resulting in small deformation, while relatively low stiffness means that the resistance to deformation is relatively small, resulting in large deformation.

[0093] Stiffness can be assessed using the modulus of elasticity; a high modulus of elasticity indicates high stiffness, and a low modulus of elasticity indicates low stiffness. The modulus of elasticity can be, for example, Young's modulus. The difference between the modulus of elasticity of the rigid region 110a and the modulus of elasticity of the soft region 110b of the substrate 110 can be about 100 times or more, and the modulus of elasticity of the rigid region 110a can be about 100 times or more of the modulus of elasticity of the soft region 110b. Within the aforementioned range, the difference between the modulus of elasticity of the rigid region 110a and the modulus of elasticity of the soft region 110b can be from about 100 times to 100,000 times, and the modulus of elasticity of the rigid region 110a can be from about 100 times to about 100,000 times of the modulus of elasticity of the soft region 110b, but is not limited thereto. For example, the modulus of elasticity of the rigid region 110a can be about 10... 7 Pa to approximately 10 12 The elastic modulus of the soft region 110b can be greater than or equal to about 10 Pa and less than about 10 Pa. 7 Pa, but not limited to this.

[0094] The elongation rates of the rigid region 110a and the flexible region 110b of the substrate 110 may differ due to the aforementioned stiffness difference, and the elongation rate of the flexible region 110b may be higher than that of the rigid region 110a. Here, the elongation rate can be a percentage of the length change to the break point relative to the initial length. For example, the elongation rate of the rigid region 110a of the substrate 110 may be less than or equal to about 5%, and within this range, it may be 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 soft region 110b of the substrate 110 may be greater than or equal to about 10%, and within this range, is 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%.

[0095] The multiple rigid regions 110a of the substrate 110 may have an island shape that is separated from each other (e.g., not in direct contact with each other), and the optoelectronic element 200, described later, may be on each rigid region 110a of the substrate 110. The flexible regions 110b of the substrate 110 may be regions other than the multiple rigid regions 110a and may be continuously connected thereto. The flexible regions 110b of the substrate 110 may provide stretchability, and due to their relatively low stiffness and relatively high elongation, they may respond flexibly to external forces or external movements, such as torsion and pulling, and may easily return to their original state.

[0096] Multiple optoelectronic elements 200 are mounted on substrate 110. The multiple optoelectronic elements 200 can be arranged regularly or randomly on substrate 110, for example, they can be arranged parallel to each other along in-plane directions of substrate 110 (e.g., the x-direction, y-direction, or xy-direction (the diagonal direction between the x-direction and y-direction)). For example, the optoelectronic elements 200 can be arranged along rows and / or columns to form an array. For example, each optoelectronic element 200 can be mounted on a rigid region 110a of substrate 110.

[0097] The accompanying drawings illustrate the shape, size, and number of photoelectric elements 200 as examples, but the embodiments are not limited thereto, and the shape, size, and number of photoelectric elements 200 can be varied in many ways. For example, photoelectric elements 200 can have dimensions (sizes) ranging from several micrometers to hundreds of micrometers. For example, each photoelectric element 200 can independently have a width, length, and thickness greater than or equal to about 1 μm and less than 1000 μm, and within this range, it can have a width, length, and thickness of about 10 μm to about 800 μm, about 10 μm to about 700 μm, about 10 μm to about 600 μm, or about 10 μm to about 500 μm, but is not limited thereto. For example, the number of photoelectric elements 200 can be four or more, such as four to 1000, four to 800, or four to 600, but is not limited thereto.

[0098] Each photoelectric element 200 may be a light source 210 configured to emit light or a sensor 220 configured to absorb light and convert the absorbed light into an electrical signal. For example, some of the multiple photoelectric elements 200 may be light sources 210 and some of the multiple photoelectric elements 200 may be sensors 220. The number (e.g., count) of light sources 210 and sensors 220 may be the same as or different from each other.

[0099] Light source 210 can supply light through the skin to the internal tissues of a living body, and the light can be in the visible wavelength spectrum to the infrared wavelength spectrum, but is not limited thereto.

[0100] The light source 210 may include, for example, a light-emitting element 210-1, such as an inorganic light-emitting diode, an organic light-emitting diode, or a micro light-emitting diode. The light-emitting element 210-1 may include, for example, a pair of electrodes 211 and 212 facing each other and a light-emitting layer 213 between the pair of electrodes 211 and 212.

[0101] At least one of the pair of electrodes 211 and 212 can be a light-transmitting electrode. For example, one of the pair of electrodes 211 and 212 can be a light-transmitting electrode, and the other can be a reflective electrode. For example, the electrode near the substrate 110 can be a light-transmitting electrode. One of the pair of electrodes 211 and 212 can be an anode, and the other can be a cathode. For example, the pair of electrodes 211 and 212 can be stretchable electrodes, which can include, for example, a stretchable conductor, or can have a stretchable shape such as a wavy shape, a pleated shape, a pop-up shape, or a non-planar grid shape.

[0102] The light-emitting layer 213 may include, but is not limited to, organic light-emitting materials, inorganic light-emitting materials, and light-emitting materials such as quantum dots and / or perovskites. The emission spectrum of the light-emitting layer 213 may fall within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum, and may include, for example, blue, green, red, (near)infrared wavelengths, or combinations thereof. For example, the light-emitting layer 213 may be a stretchable light-emitting layer. As an example, the light-emitting element 210-1 may be a stretchable element.

[0103] Sensor 220 can be configured to absorb (e.g., selectively absorb) light supplied from light source 210 and reflected by internal tissues (e.g., blood vessels) of a living organism, and can convert the absorbed light into an electrical signal.

[0104] Sensor 220 may include, for example, a light-absorbing element 220-1, such as an organic or inorganic diode. The light-absorbing element 220-1 may include, for example, a pair of electrodes 221 and 222 facing each other and a light-absorbing layer 223 between the electrodes 221 and 222. At least one of the electrodes 221 and 222 may be a light-transmitting electrode. For example, one of the electrodes 221 and 222 may be a light-transmitting electrode, and the other may be a reflective electrode. For example, the electrode closer to the substrate 110 may be a light-transmitting electrode. One of the electrodes 221 and 222 may be an anode, and the other may be a cathode. For example, the electrodes 221 and 222 may be stretchable electrodes, which may include, for example, a stretchable conductor, or a stretchable shape having a wavy shape, a corrugated shape, a pop-out shape, or a non-planar grid shape.

[0105] The light-absorbing layer 223 may be a photoelectric conversion layer configured to absorb light of a specific (or alternatively, predetermined) wavelength spectrum and convert the absorbed light into an electrical signal. Therefore, the sensor 220 may be described as configured to generate an electrical signal (which may be referred to herein as a signal) based on the absorption of light (including light of a specific wavelength spectrum). The light-absorbing layer 223 may include, for example, inorganic light-absorbing semiconductors, organic light-absorbing semiconductors, and / or organic-inorganic light-absorbing semiconductors. For example, the inorganic light-absorbing semiconductor, organic light-absorbing semiconductor, and / or organic-inorganic light-absorbing semiconductor may be a p-type semiconductor and / or an n-type semiconductor forming a pn junction. The absorption spectrum of the light-absorbing layer 223 may belong to the visible wavelength spectrum to the infrared wavelength spectrum, and may include, for example, a blue wavelength spectrum, a green wavelength spectrum, a red wavelength spectrum, a (near)infrared wavelength spectrum, or a combination thereof. For example, the light-absorbing layer 223 may be a stretchable light-absorbing layer. For example, the light-absorbing element 220-1 may be a stretchable element.

[0106] At least one of the light source 210 and the sensor 220 can be configured to emit or absorb light of different wavelength spectra. For example, the bioimaging system 100 may include a light source 210 configured to emit light of different wavelength spectra, a sensor 220 configured to absorb light of different wavelength spectra, or both a light source 210 configured to emit light of different wavelength spectra and a sensor 220 configured to absorb light of different wavelength spectra.

[0107] A bioimaging system 100 (and / or electronic devices included therein) can be configured to process multiple images obtained by light of different wavelength spectra to obtain three-dimensional images of internal tissues (e.g., blood vessels) of a living organism. For example, as shown, the bioimaging system 100 may include a controller 101 communicatively and / or electrically connected to a light source 210 and a sensor 220 via conductive paths (including one or more conductive materials, conductive layers, wiring, etc.). The controller 101 can be configured (e.g., based on generating signals and sending signals to the light source 210 and / or sensor 220 via conductive paths, wiring, etc.) to cause the light source 210 to emit light and / or the sensor 220 to absorb light. The sensor 220 can be configured to generate signals based on light absorption, and the bioimaging system 100 can be configured (e.g., via conductive lines, wiring, buses, etc.) to send such signals from the sensor 220 to the controller 101. Sensor 220 can be configured to generate a signal based on absorbed light, and bioimaging system 100 can be configured to communicate such a signal to controller 101 independently of any control of sensor 220 by controller 101. Controller 101 can be configured to process the signal to generate (e.g., acquire) one or more images, such that controller 101 of bioimaging system 100 can be configured to acquire (e.g., generate) images based on light of various (e.g., different) wavelength spectra (e.g., based on various signals generated by sensor 220 according to the absorption of light of various wavelength spectra by one or more portions of sensor 220, and said signals being received and processed by controller 101 to generate images).

[0108] It will be understood that controller 101 can be configured as described herein (e.g., as referenced). Figure 34 The described processing circuitry can be implemented using one or more instances of it and may include one or more devices as described herein, and / or may be implemented by one or more devices as described herein (e.g., controller 101 may include...). Figure 34 The processor 1320 and Figure 34 The memory 1330, and / or any function of the bioimaging system 100 and / or controller 101 can be based on Figure 34 The processor 1320 runs on memory stored in Figure 34 (This is implemented using the instruction program in memory 1330).

[0109] In the context where the bioimaging system 100 is described herein as performing operations and / or configured to perform operations (e.g., processing multiple images obtained based on light of different wavelength spectra to obtain three-dimensional images of internal tissues of a living organism), it will be understood that the bioimaging system 100 may include one or more instances of processing circuitry (e.g., a processor running an instruction program stored in memory to implement the functions of the controller 101), said one or more instances being configured to operate to cause the bioimaging system 100 to perform operations and / or be configured to perform operations. Such operations performed by the controller 101 may be configured (e.g., based on a processor such as the CPU of the controller 101 running an instruction program stored in memory such as the SSD of the controller 101) and may include generating signals to control the operation of the light source 210, for example, causing the light source 210 (e.g., one or more light-emitting elements of the light source) to emit light. Such operations that controller 101 may be configured to perform may include processing signals generated by sensor 220 (e.g., one or more light-absorbing elements of sensor 220) and received from sensor 220 at controller 101 based on light absorbed by sensor 220, to generate (e.g., acquire) one or more images, including images acquired based on light of different wavelength spectra. Such operations that controller 101 may be configured to perform may include processing signals and / or images to extract differences between multiple images to obtain multiple extracted images of internal tissue of a living organism based on depth from the skin surface. Such operations that controller 101 may be configured to perform may include processing multiple extracted images to combine the multiple extracted images to obtain a three-dimensional image of internal tissue of a living organism. Such operations that controller 101 may be configured to perform may include controlling light source 210 and / or sensor 220 to acquire a corrected image from a portion of light source 210 or a portion of sensor 220, using the corrected image to correct the multiple extracted images, and acquiring a three-dimensional image based on the corrected extracted image.

[0110] In some example implementations, controller 101 may be part of a separate bioimaging system outside of bioimaging system 100, wherein controller 101 may control at least one of light source 210 and sensor 220, and may be configured to receive signals from sensor 220 based on light absorption by sensor 220, wherein controller 101 may process signals to obtain images and perform any methods as described herein with respect to obtaining and / or extracting images (including three-dimensional images).

[0111] The light source 210 may include multiple light sources configured to emit light with wavelength spectra that are different from each other.

[0112] Sensor 220 may include multiple sensors configured to absorb light with wavelength spectra that are different from each other.

[0113] The light source 210 may include a plurality of light sources configured to emit light with wavelength spectra that are different from each other, and the sensor 220 may include a plurality of sensors configured to absorb light with wavelength spectra that are different from each other.

[0114] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 3 to 6B To describe Figure 1 , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C An example of a bioimaging system 100 is shown.

[0115] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 and Figures 2A to 2C A plan view of an example of a bioimaging system shown. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an example of a bioimaging system taken along line IV-IV'. Figures 5A to 5D It is shown Figure 3 and Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an example light source shown. Figure 6A and Figure 6B It is shown Figure 3 and Figure 4 The graph shows an example of the wavelength spectrum of the light source and sensor in the bioimaging system.

[0116] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 A bioimaging system 100 according to some example embodiments includes: a substrate 110; a plurality of light sources 210 disposed on the substrate 110 and configured to emit light with wavelength spectra different from each other; and a plurality of sensors 220 disposed on the substrate 110. As described above, the plurality of light sources 210 and the plurality of sensors 220 may be located on a rigid region 110a of the substrate 110.

[0117] Light source 210 includes a first light source 210a, a second light source 210b, and a third light source 210c that are separated from each other (e.g., not in direct contact with each other). In addition to the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, and the third light source 210c, light source 210 may further include an nth light source 210n, where n can be an integer from 4 to 10. The nth light source 210n does not refer to a single light source, but rather to the nth light source. For example, when n is 7, in addition to the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, and the third light source 210c, light source 210 may also include a fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh light source. The nth light source 210n can be omitted.

[0118] As shown in the figure, the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n are arranged parallel to each other (e.g., in a linear sequence) along the in-plane direction (e.g., the x-direction, y-direction, or xy-direction) of the substrate 110, and light with emission spectra that are different from each other within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum can be emitted. To reiterate, the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n can be configured to emit light with different emission spectra. These different emission spectra can be within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum. For example, the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n can be configured to each emit light with different wavelength spectra within a wavelength range (e.g., wavelength spectrum) of about 380 nm to about 3 μm, and multiple images obtained from the light with different emission spectra can be processed to obtain three-dimensional images of the internal tissues of a living organism.

[0119] It will be understood that, as described herein, the in-plane direction of substrate 110 (e.g., the x-direction, y-direction, or xy-direction) may extend parallel to the upper surface of substrate 110, and thus may be interchangeably referred to as the direction extending parallel to the upper surface of substrate 110. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction (e.g., the z-direction perpendicular to the x-direction, y-direction, or xy-direction) may be interchangeably referred to herein as the direction extending perpendicular to the upper surface of substrate 110.

[0120] The first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n may each include a first light-emitting element 210a-1, a second light-emitting element 210b-1, a third light-emitting element 210c-1, and an nth light-emitting element 210n-1 configured to emit light with emission spectra different from each other. That is, the first light source 210a may include the first light-emitting element 210a-1, the second light source 210b may include the second light-emitting element 210b-1, the third light source 210c may include the third light-emitting element 210c-1, and the nth light source 210n may include the nth light-emitting element 210n-1. Each of the first light-emitting element 210a-1, the second light-emitting element 210b-1, the third light-emitting element 210c-1, and the nth light-emitting element 210n-1 may be an inorganic light-emitting diode, an organic light-emitting diode, or a micro light-emitting diode. The light-emitting characteristics of the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n can be the same as or substantially the same as the light-emitting characteristics of the first light-emitting element 210a-1, the second light-emitting element 210b-1, the third light-emitting element 210c-1, and the nth light-emitting element 210n-1.

[0121] Reference Figures 5A to 5DThe first light-emitting element 210a-1 may include a pair of electrodes 211a and 212a facing each other and a light-emitting layer 213a between the electrodes 211a and 212a; the second light-emitting element 210b-1 may include a pair of electrodes 211b and 212b facing each other and a light-emitting layer 213b between the electrodes 211b and 212b; the third light-emitting element 210c-1 may include a pair of electrodes 211c and 212c facing each other and a light-emitting layer 213c between the electrodes 211c and 212c; and the nth light-emitting element 210n-1 may include a pair of electrodes 211n and 212n facing each other and a light-emitting layer 213n between the electrodes 211n and 212n. Electrodes 211a to 211n and 212a to 212n, and light-emitting layers 213a to 213n, are referenced above. Figure 2B The description includes the same pair of electrodes 211 and 212 in the light source and the light-emitting layer 213, so their detailed description is omitted here.

[0122] The emission spectrum of the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 210a-1, the second light-emitting element 210b-1, the third light-emitting element 210c-1, and the nth light-emitting element 210n-1 can be determined by the light-emitting layers 213a, 213b, 213c, and 213n, which can be configured to emit light with emission spectra different from each other. For example, the first light-emitting element 210a-1, the second light-emitting element 210b-1, the third light-emitting element 210c-1, and the nth light-emitting element 210n-1 can be configured to emit light with a first maximum emission wavelength λ, respectively. E1,max The light with the first emission spectrum has the second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max The second emission spectrum of light, with a third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max The third emission spectrum of light and the light with the nth maximum emission wavelength λ En,max The light emitted in the nth emission spectrum, where the first maximum emission wavelength λ E1,max Second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max The third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max and the nth maximum emission wavelength λ En,max They can be different from each other.

[0123] Sensor 220 may be adjacent to at least a portion of the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n, and as follows: Figure 2CAs shown, sensor 220 may include a light-absorbing element 220-1, which includes a pair of electrodes 221 and 222 facing each other and a light-absorbing layer 223 between the electrodes 221 and 222. The light absorption characteristics of sensor 220 may be the same as or substantially the same as the absorption characteristics of light-absorbing layer 223, and the absorption spectrum of sensor 220 may include light of all emission spectra emitted from light source 210.

[0124] Together Figures 5A to 5D Reference Figure 6A and Figure 6B The first light-emitting element 210a-1 can be configured to emit light having a first maximum emission wavelength λ. E1,max First emission spectrum SP E1 The second light-emitting element 210b-1 can be configured to emit light having a second maximum emission wavelength λ. E2,max The second emission spectrum SP E2 The third light-emitting element 210c-1 can be configured to emit light with a third maximum emission wavelength λ. E3,max The third emission spectrum SP E3 The nth light-emitting element 210n-1 can be configured to emit light with the nth maximum emission wavelength λ. En,max The nth emission spectrum SP En The light emitted. That is, the light-emitting layer 213a can be configured to emit light having a first maximum emission wavelength λ. E1,max First emission spectrum SP E1 The light-emitting layer 213b can be configured to emit light with a second maximum emission wavelength λ. E2,max The second emission spectrum SP E2 The light-emitting layer 213c can be configured to emit light with a third maximum emission wavelength λ. E3,max The third emission spectrum SP E3 The light-emitting layer 213n can be configured to emit light with the nth maximum emission wavelength λ. En,max The nth emission spectrum SP En The light.

[0125] Second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max It can be greater than the first maximum emission wavelength λ E1,max Long wavelength, third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max It can be greater than the second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max Long wavelength, the nth maximum emission wavelength λ En,max It can be greater than the third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max Long wavelength. First maximum emission wavelength λ E1,max Second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max The third maximum emission wavelength λE3,max and the nth maximum emission wavelength λ En,max Specific (or alternatively, predetermined) intervals can be separated. For example, the first maximum emission wavelength λ E1,max Second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max The third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max and the nth maximum emission wavelength λ En,max Each of the differences between adjacent wavelengths can, for example, be greater than or equal to about 10 nm, within the above range, 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 above range, 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 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.

[0126] First maximum emission wavelength λ E1,max Second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max The third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max and the nth maximum emission wavelength λ En,max It can belong to the visible wavelength spectrum to the infrared wavelength spectrum, and can, for example, independently fall within the following ranges: about 380 nm to about 3 μm, about 400 nm to about 2 μm, about 450 nm to about 1500 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. For example, the first maximum emission wavelength λ E1,max Second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max The third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max and the nth maximum emission wavelength λ En,max Each wavelength can independently belong to one of the blue wavelength spectrum, green wavelength spectrum, red wavelength spectrum, and (near) infrared wavelength spectrum. The blue wavelength spectrum can be greater than or equal to about 400 nm and less than about 500 nm, the green wavelength spectrum can be greater than or equal to about 500 nm and less than or equal to about 600 nm, the red wavelength spectrum can be greater than about 600 nm and less than or equal to about 700 nm, and the (near) infrared wavelength spectrum can be greater than about 700 nm and less than or equal to about 3000 nm.

[0127] First emission spectrum SP E1 Second emission spectrum SP E2Third emission spectrum SP E3 and the nth emission spectrum SP En The full width at half maximum (FWHM) can be, for example, less than or equal to about 300 nm, and within the above range, about 10 nm to about 300 nm, about 30 nm to about 250 nm, or about 50 nm to about 200 nm.

[0128] Because sensor 220 can detect light emitted from the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n and reflected by the internal tissues of a living organism (e.g., blood vessels), the absorption spectrum SP of sensor 220 is... A It can include light of all wavelengths emitted from the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n.

[0129] For example, the absorption spectrum of the light detected by sensor 220 may include all emission spectra of the first to nth light sources 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210n, and may be, for example, within the following ranges: about 380 nm to about 3 μm, about 400 nm to about 2 μm, about 450 nm to about 1500 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. For example, when the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, and the third light source 210c emit light with a blue wavelength spectrum, a green wavelength spectrum, and a red wavelength spectrum, respectively, and the nth light source 210n is omitted, sensor 220 may detect light in a white wavelength spectrum that includes the blue wavelength spectrum, the green wavelength spectrum, and the red wavelength spectrum.

[0130] In a bioimaging system 100 according to some example embodiments, multiple light sources 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210n configured to emit light with emission spectra different from each other can provide multiple images of the internal tissue of a living body according to the depth direction from the skin surface. These images can be obtained by using differences in light penetration depth based on wavelength (e.g., by sensor 220 absorbing light due to the different emission spectra emitted by the multiple light sources 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210n and generating a signal based on such absorption, for example, by controller 101 processing a signal generated due to sensor 220 absorbing light within a specific wavelength spectrum to generate a specific image associated with that specific wavelength spectrum). Such multiple images are processed (e.g., by controller 101) to obtain information (e.g., the properties of the internal tissue of the living body), such as the location, shape, size, and / or thickness of the internal tissue (e.g., blood vessels), and this information can be used to obtain spatial information about the internal tissue of the living body. Furthermore, this spatial information can be isolated and / or extracted to effectively obtain information about the internal tissues of a living organism at a specific depth from the skin surface.

[0131] Specifically, when light shines on the skin, the depth of light penetration from the skin surface varies depending on the wavelength spectrum, and generally, longer wavelength light can penetrate deeper than shorter wavelength light. On the other hand, because longer wavelength light may also be scattered, when it passes through several tissues along the depth direction from the skin surface, the information obtained from a specific (or alternatively, predetermined) wavelength of light may not be an image of the internal tissues present at the maximum penetration depth, but rather an image of all internal tissues of the living organism within the light's penetration depth. Therefore, it may be difficult to selectively obtain clear images of internal tissues of a living organism, such as blood vessels, present at specific depths.

[0132] In some example embodiments, multiple light sources 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210n configured to emit light with different emission spectra, and sensors 220 configured to absorb light reflected by the internal tissues of a living organism after being irradiated by the multiple light sources 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210n, are arranged in an array to obtain different image information according to the depth of light penetration. Based on this different image information, image information of the in vivo tissue is separated and / or extracted along the depth direction from the skin surface to obtain image information of the internal tissues of the living organism located at a specific depth.

[0133] For example, in Figures 3 to 6B In the illustrated bioimaging system 100, when the first light source 210a is configured to emit a first maximum emission wavelength λ having a relatively short wavelength... E1,max First emission spectrum SP E1The light source 210b is configured to emit light with a wavelength greater than the first maximum emission wavelength λ. E1,max The second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max The second emission spectrum SP E2 The light source 210c is configured to emit light with a wavelength λ greater than the second maximum emission wavelength. E2,max The longest third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max The third emission spectrum SP E3 When light is emitted, the first emission spectrum SP E1 Light, second emission spectrum SP E2 Light and third emission spectrum SP E3 The light rays have different penetration depths from the skin surface, and the first emission spectrum SP E1 Light, second emission spectrum SP E2 Light and third emission spectrum SP E3 The light can penetrate the skin, pass through its maximum penetration depth, and be reflected by the internal tissues of the living body (e.g., blood vessels), and the reflected light can be absorbed and detected by sensor 220 for each wavelength.

[0134] At this time, regardless of the first emission spectrum SP E1 Light, second emission spectrum SP E2 Light and third emission spectrum SP E3 The distribution of the penetration depth of light from the skin surface is such that an image obtained from illumination by a third light source 210c, configured to emit a relatively long wavelength emission spectrum, can be an image at a deeper location than an image obtained from illumination by a second light source 210b, configured to emit a relatively short wavelength emission spectrum, and an image obtained from illumination by the second light source 210b, configured to emit a relatively long wavelength emission spectrum, can be an image at a deeper location than an image obtained from illumination by a first light source 210a, configured to emit a relatively short wavelength emission spectrum. Therefore, by extracting the difference between the image obtained from illumination by the third light source 210c and the image obtained from illumination by the second light source 210b, it is possible to obtain an image at a deeper location than an image obtained from illumination by illumination by the third emission spectrum SP alone. E3 Image information at the depth of light penetration, and by extracting the difference between the image obtained from illumination from the second light source 210b and the image obtained from illumination from the first light source 210a, can be obtained in the second emission spectrum SP. E2 This allows for the acquisition of image information at depths where light penetrates. Therefore, it is possible to effectively obtain image information of internal tissues located at specific depths from the skin surface in a living organism.

[0135] In this way, spatial information in the depth direction can be obtained by extracting and combining (n-1) differences between images obtained through selective illumination of any two of n light sources 210a, 210b, 210c, and 210n, which are configured to emit light with different emission spectra relative to each other. The more light sources there are, the more accurate the spatial information in the depth direction can be obtained.

[0136] An example of a bioimaging method using the aforementioned bioimaging system 100 may include: fixing the bioimaging system 100 to the skin S of a living organism; irradiating the skin S with light by turning on a light source 210 (e.g., illuminating the skin with light emitted by the light source 210); and acquiring multiple images by having a sensor 220 absorb light that passes through the skin S and is scattered and reflected by the internal tissues of the living organism (such as blood vessels BV) (e.g., having the sensor 220 absorb light that passes through the skin S and is scattered and reflected by the internal tissues of the living organism) through light of different wavelength spectra (e.g., light based on different wavelength spectra). The method may also include: extracting multiple images of the internal tissues of the living organism (such as blood vessels BV) depending on the depth from the skin surface S1 (e.g., extracting differences between the acquired multiple images to obtain multiple extracted images of the internal tissues of the living organism according to the depth from the skin surface S1); and combining the multiple extracted images of the internal tissues of the living organism (such as blood vessels BV) to obtain a three-dimensional image of the internal tissues of the living organism. The light source 210 may include a first light source 210a, a second light source 210b, a third light source 210c, and an nth light source 210n configured to emit light with different emission spectra within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum. Turning on the light source 210 may include turning on the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n in sequence (for example, causing the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n to emit light in sequence).

[0137] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method for obtaining image information of the internal tissues of a living organism using a bioimaging system, according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 26 It shows the use Figures 3 to 6B A schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method using a biological imaging system to obtain image information of the internal tissues of a living organism. Figure 27A and Figure 27B Through (based on) processing via Figure 25 and Figure 26 The method uses multiple images to obtain a schematic diagram of a 3D image.

[0138] like Figure 25As shown, by fixing (attaching) the aforementioned bioimaging system 100 to the skin S, image information of the internal tissues (such as blood vessels BV) of a living organism can be obtained. Here, as described above, when the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n of the bioimaging system 100 are sequentially turned on to illuminate the skin S, the penetration depth from the skin surface S1 can vary according to the emission spectrum of the light, and relatively long wavelength light can penetrate deeper than relatively short wavelength light.

[0139] Therefore, refer to Figure 26 , Figure 27A and Figure 27B The light irradiated from the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, and the third light source 210c penetrates to depths D1, D2, and D3 according to wavelength, with a specific (or alternatively, predetermined) distribution. The light is reflected at different depths D1, D2, and D3, and multiple planar (two-dimensional) images M1, M2, and M3 of the internal tissues of a living organism (such as blood vessels BV) according to depths D1, D2, and D3 can be obtained. For example, as described above, when the first light source 210a is configured to emit a first emission spectrum SP having a relatively shortest wavelength among the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, and the third light source 210c, E1 The light source 210c is configured to emit the third emission spectrum SP with the longest relative wavelength. E3 When light is emitted, it passes through the first to third emission spectra SP. E1 SP E2 and SP E3 The signal obtained by illumination can sequentially provide images M1, M2, and M3 from a depth D1 relatively close to the skin surface S1 to the deepest depth D3. Based on these images M1, M2, and M3, the image differences according to each depth D1, D2, and D3 are extracted, and the lowest, middle, and highest points of the blood vessel BV are specified to obtain a three-dimensional image of the blood vessel BV. For example, the differences between images M1, M2, and M3 can be extracted based on the following: a first image of the internal tissue of the living body located at a second depth D2 from the skin surface S1 based on the difference between image M2 obtained by turning on the second light source 210b and image M1 obtained by turning on the first light source 210a; and a second image of the internal tissue of the living body located at a third depth D3 deeper than the second depth D2 based on the difference between image M3 obtained by turning on the third light source 210c and image M2 obtained by turning on the second light source 210b.

[0140] Spatial information such as location, shape, size, and / or thickness of a blood vessel BV can be confirmed from three-dimensional images of the blood vessel BV.

[0141] Figure 28This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a method for obtaining image information of the internal tissues of a living organism using a bioimaging system, according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 29 It shows the use Figures 3 to 6B A schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method for obtaining image information of the internal tissues of a living organism using a biological imaging system.

[0142] In this example, when multiple blood vessels BV1 and BV2 are located to overlap each other in the depth direction, an image of a blood vessel BV located at a specific depth can be obtained by separating the images of the multiple blood vessel BVs and extracting the differences.

[0143] That is, the depths D1, D2, and D3 of light irradiated from the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, and the third light source 210c have a specific (or alternatively, predetermined) distribution according to wavelength, the light is reflected at different depths according to wavelength, and multiple images of the internal tissues of a living organism (such as blood vessels BV1 and BV2) can be obtained. The emission spectra SP from the first to the third light sources... E1 SP E2 and SP E3 The image information obtained by the light can include spatial information from a depth D1 relatively close to the skin surface S1 to the deepest depth D3. Furthermore, not only can a three-dimensional image of each blood vessel BV1 and BV2 be obtained by extracting the differences between the multiple images and specifying the lowest, middle, and highest points of each blood vessel BV1 and BV2, but a clear image of blood vessel BV2 can also be obtained without the resolution degradation caused by blood vessel BV1 by extracting the differences between the image obtained from blood vessel BV2 and the image obtained from blood vessel BV1. Therefore, when multiple blood vessels BV1 and BV2 are located in the depth direction from the skin surface S1, the spatial information of the internal tissues of a living organism can be effectively examined in this way. Here, an example of locating two blood vessels BV1 and BV2 in the depth direction has been described, but the implementation is not limited to this; the bioimaging method described here can also be applied to the case of locating n blood vessels in the depth direction.

[0144] Simultaneously, the bioimaging method may also include obtaining a correction image before (e.g., prior to) obtaining the aforementioned three-dimensional image. The correction image can be used to eliminate the influence of the skin's optical or light properties (e.g., scattering and / or absorption) caused by differences in skin color and subcutaneous tissue thickness among individuals, and can be obtained based on, for example, a point spread function. For example, the correction image can be obtained by: activating only some light sources 210 of the bioimaging system 100 at a first location (specific location) to obtain an image based on the wavelength spectrum corresponding to the activated light sources 210 at the first location; activating only some light sources 210 of the bioimaging system 100 at a second location (specific location) to obtain an image based on the wavelength spectrum corresponding to the activated light sources 210 at the second location; and in this way, activating only some light sources 210 at a nth location to obtain an image based on the wavelength spectrum corresponding to the activated light sources 210 at the nth location. The correction image can be applied to multiple extracted images to correct the multiple extracted images. The corrected extracted images can then be combined to obtain a three-dimensional image. By correcting the aforementioned multiple extracted images using a correction image, the influence of the skin's optical properties can be eliminated, resulting in a clear three-dimensional image. Therefore, a three-dimensional image of the internal tissues of a living organism can be obtained by combining multiple extracted images.

[0145] In the following text, together with Figures 3 to 6B Reference Figure 7 To describe Figures 1 to 2B Another example of the bioimaging system 100 shown.

[0146] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 Another example of a bioimaging system is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV'. Figure 8A , Figure 8B , Figure 8C and Figure 8D It is shown Figure 3 and Figure 7 The graph shows an example of the wavelength spectrum of the light source and sensor in the bioimaging system.

[0147] Reference Figure 7 As in the examples described above, a bioimaging system 100 according to some example embodiments includes a substrate 110, a plurality of light sources 210 disposed on the substrate 110, and a plurality of sensors 220 disposed on the substrate 110. The light sources 210 are separated from each other and include a first light source 210a, a second light source 210b, and a third light source 210c configured to emit light of different wavelength spectra, and an optional nth light source 210n.

[0148] However, unlike the bioimaging system 100 according to the foregoing example, in the bioimaging system 100 according to this example, the light source 210 may include a first light source 210a, a second light source 210b, a third light source 210c, and an nth light source 210n. The first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n each include a first light-emitting element 210a-1, a second light-emitting element 210b-1, a third light-emitting element 210c-1, and an nth light-emitting element 210n-1, each configured to emit light with a common emission spectrum (e.g., the same emission spectrum). Furthermore, the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n may also include a first color filter 310a, a second color filter 310b, a third color filter 310c, and an nth color filter 310n, respectively, for color separation. That is, the first light source 210a includes a first light-emitting element 210a-1 and a first color filter 310a, the second light source 210b includes a second light-emitting element 210b-1 and a second color filter 310b, the third light source 210c includes a third light-emitting element 210c-1 and a third color filter 310c, and the nth light source 210n includes an nth light-emitting element 210n-1 and an nth color filter 310n. For example, the first light-emitting element 210a-1 can be configured to emit light of a first emission spectrum, the second light-emitting element 210b-1 can be configured to emit light of a second emission spectrum, the third light-emitting element 210c-1 can be configured to emit light of a third emission spectrum, and the nth light-emitting element 210n-1 can be configured to emit light of an nth emission spectrum, wherein the first emission spectrum, the second emission spectrum, the third emission spectrum, and the nth emission spectrum are all the same (e.g., common) emission spectra. As shown, the light source 210 may include a plurality of light-emitting elements 210a-1 to 210n-1 that can be configured to emit light with a common emission spectrum (e.g., the same emission spectrum), and the bioimaging system 100 may also include a plurality of color filters 310a-1 to 310n that overlap with the individual (e.g., different) light-emitting elements 210a-1 to 210n-1 in a z-direction extending in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate 110, wherein the plurality of color filters 310a-1 to 310n are configured to provide wavelength selectivity for the common emission spectrum, for example, based on the selective transmission of wavelength spectra relative to each other by different filters, such that the different color filters overlapping with different light-emitting elements can selectively transmit light of different wavelength spectra in the common emission spectrum emitted by the light-emitting elements by the bioimaging system 100.

[0149] The first color filter 310a, the second color filter 310b, the third color filter 310c, and the nth color filter 310n can be respectively disposed at the positions through which the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 210a-1, the second light-emitting element 210b-1, the third light-emitting element 210c-1, and the nth light-emitting element 210n-1 passes, and can overlap, for example, the first light-emitting element 210a-1, the second light-emitting element 210b-1, the third light-emitting element 210c-1, and the nth light-emitting element 210n-1 (for example, in the z-direction extending in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the substrate 110 as shown in the figure). The first light-emitting element 210a-1 and the first color filter 310a, the second light-emitting element 210b-1 and the second color filter 310b, the third light-emitting element 210c-1 and the third color filter 310c, the nth light-emitting element 210n-1 and the nth color filter 310n can be independently configured to be in contact with each other or can be configured to be spaced apart from each other, for example, by an insulating layer (not shown). For example, each of the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n may include individual light-emitting elements from a plurality of light-emitting elements (210a-1, 210b-1, 210c-1, and 210n-1, respectively) configured to emit light with the same emission spectrum, and each of the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n may also include individual color filters from a plurality of color filters (310a, 310b, 310c, and 310n, respectively), wherein the plurality of color filters overlap with each individual light-emitting element from the plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., 210a-1, 210b-1, 210c-1, and 210n-1, respectively) (e.g., overlapping in the z-direction extending in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate 110).

[0150] The first light-emitting element 210a-1, the second light-emitting element 210b-1, the third light-emitting element 210c-1, and the nth light-emitting element 210n-1 can be configured to emit light with a common emission spectrum (e.g., the same emission spectrum). The common emission spectrum may include the transmission spectrum of the first color filter 310a, the transmission spectrum of the second color filter 310b, the transmission spectrum of the third color filter 310c, and the transmission spectrum of the nth color filter 310n.

[0151] The first color filter 310a, the second color filter 310b, the third color filter 310c, and the nth color filter 310n can be configured to selectively transmit light belonging to different wavelengths of the common emission spectrum emitted from the first light-emitting element 210a-1, the second light-emitting element 210b-1, the third light-emitting element 210c-1, and the nth light-emitting element 210n-1. That is, the first color filter 310a, the second color filter 310b, the third color filter 310c, and the nth color filter 310n can provide wavelength selectivity for the common emission spectrum. In some example embodiments, the first color filter 310a, the second color filter 310b, the third color filter 310c, and the nth color filter 310n may collectively form a color filter 310 that overlaps with a plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., 210a-1, 210b-1, 210c-1, and 210n-1) configured to emit light with a common emission spectrum (e.g., the same emission spectrum) (e.g., in the z-direction extending perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate 110).

[0152] For example, the first color filter 310a can be configured to selectively transmit a common emission spectrum having a first maximum transmission wavelength λ. T1,max First transmission spectrum SP T1 The second color filter 310b can selectively transmit light with a second maximum transmission wavelength λ in the common emission spectrum. T2,max The second transmission spectrum SP T2 The third color filter 310c can selectively transmit light with a third maximum transmission wavelength λ in the common emission spectrum. T3,max The third transmission spectrum SP T3 The light emitted can be filtered and can be configured to absorb or reflect other light. For example, the nth color filter 310n can be configured to selectively transmit light with the nth maximum transmission wavelength λ in the common emission spectrum. Tn,max The nth transmission spectrum SP Tn It can be used to absorb or reflect other light.

[0153] Reference Figures 8A to 8D The first light-emitting element 210a-1, the second light-emitting element 210b-1, the third light-emitting element 210c-1, and the nth light-emitting element 210n-1 can be configured to emit a common emission spectrum SP. E0 The light. Common emission spectrum SP E0 The light passes through the first color filter 310a, the second color filter 310b, the third color filter 310c, and the nth color filter 310n respectively, and has a first maximum transmission wavelength λ. T1,max First transmission spectrum SP T1It has the second maximum transmission wavelength λ T2,max The second transmission spectrum SP T2 It has the third maximum transmission wavelength λ T3,max The third transmission spectrum SP T3 and has the nth maximum transmission wavelength λ Tn,max The nth transmission spectrum SP Tn Each ray of light can be selectively transmitted.

[0154] Second maximum transmission wavelength λ T2,max It can be greater than the first maximum transmission wavelength λ T1,max Long wavelength, third maximum transmission wavelength λ T3,max It can be greater than the second maximum transmission wavelength λ T2,max Long wavelength, nth maximum transmission wavelength λ Tn,max It can be greater than the third maximum transmission wavelength λ T3,max Long wavelength. First maximum transmission wavelength λ T1,max Second maximum transmission wavelength λ T2,max The third maximum transmission wavelength λ T3,max and the nth maximum transmission wavelength λ Tn,max All can be in the common emission spectrum SP E0 Inside. First maximum transmission wavelength λ T1,max Second maximum transmission wavelength λ T2,max The third maximum transmission wavelength λ T3,max and the nth maximum transmission wavelength λ Tn,max Specific (or alternatively, predetermined) intervals can be separated. For example, the first maximum transmission wavelength λ T1,max Second maximum transmission wavelength λ T2,max The third maximum transmission wavelength λ T3,max and the nth maximum transmission wavelength λ Tn,max The difference between adjacent wavelengths in each (e.g., the first maximum transmission wavelength λ) T1,max Second maximum transmission wavelength λ T2,max The difference between them and the second maximum transmission wavelength λ T2,max and the third maximum transmission wavelength λ T3,maxEach of the differences between them can be, for example, 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 above range, 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 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.

[0155] Transmission spectroscopy SP T1 SP T2 SP T3 and SP Tn The full width at half maximum (FWHM) can be, for example, less than or equal to about 300 nm, and within the above range, about 10 nm to about 300 nm, about 30 nm to about 250 nm, or about 50 nm to about 200 nm.

[0156] Due to the wavelength selectivity of the first color filter 310a, the second color filter 310b, the third color filter 310c, and the nth color filter 310n, the first light source 210a can be configured to emit light with a first maximum emission wavelength λ through the combination of the first light-emitting element 210a-1 and the first color filter 310a. E1,max First emission spectrum SP E1 The second light source 210b can be configured to emit light having a second maximum emission wavelength λ through a combination of the second light-emitting element 210b-1 and the second color filter 310b. E2,max The second emission spectrum SP E2 The third light source 210c can be configured to emit light with a third maximum emission wavelength λ through a combination of the third light-emitting element 210c-1 and the third color filter 310c. E3,max The third emission spectrum SP E3 The light source 210n can be configured to emit light with the nth maximum emission wavelength λ through a combination of the nth light-emitting element 210n-1 and the nth color filter 310n. En,max The nth emission spectrum SP En The light.

[0157] Second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max It can be greater than the first maximum emission wavelength λ E1,max Long wavelength, third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max It can be greater than the second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,maxLong wavelength, the nth maximum emission wavelength λ En,max It can be greater than the third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max Long wavelength. First maximum emission wavelength λ E1,max Second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max The third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max and the nth maximum emission wavelength λ En,max Specific (or alternatively, predetermined) intervals can be separated. For example, the first maximum emission wavelength λ E1,max Second maximum emission wavelength λ E2,max The third maximum emission wavelength λ E3,max and the nth maximum emission wavelength λ En,max Each of the differences between adjacent wavelengths may, for example, be 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 above range, being 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 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.

[0158] Emission spectrum SP E1 SP E2 SP E3 and SP En The full width at half maximum (FWHM) can be, for example, less than or equal to about 300 nm, and within the above range, about 10 nm to about 300 nm, about 30 nm to about 250 nm, or about 50 nm to about 200 nm.

[0159] As in the previous example, sensor 220 can be configured to detect light emitted from the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n and reflected by the internal tissue of a living organism, therefore the absorption spectrum SP of sensor 220... A It can include light of all wavelengths emitted from the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n.

[0160] In the following text, together with Figures 3 to 6B and Figures 8A to 8D Reference Figure 9 To describe Figure 1 and Figure 2B Another example of the bioimaging system 100 shown.

[0161] Figure 9 This illustrates some example implementations. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of another example of a bioimaging system.

[0162] Reference Figure 9 As in the examples described above, a bioimaging system 100 according to some example embodiments includes a substrate 110, a plurality of light sources 210 disposed on the substrate 110, and a plurality of sensors 220 disposed on the substrate 110.

[0163] However, unlike the foregoing example, the bioimaging system 100 according to this example may include a first color filter 310a, a second color filter 310b, a third color filter 310c, and an nth color filter 310n configured to transmit light with wavelength spectra different from each other, below a light-emitting element 210-1 configured to emit light with a common wavelength spectrum. That is, instead of the first light-emitting elements 210a-1, 210b-1, 310c-1, and nth light-emitting elements 210n-1 that are separate from each other and overlap with the first color filter 310a, the second color filter 310b, the third color filter 310c, and the nth color filter 310n respectively, a single light-emitting element 210-1 may be included that overlaps with the first color filter 310a, the second color filter 310b, the third color filter 310c, and the nth color filter 310n. Multiple light sources 210 can be arranged along rows and / or columns of substrate 110. Each light source 210 includes a light-emitting element 210-1 and a first color filter 310a, a second color filter 310b, a third color filter 310c, and an nth color filter 310n.

[0164] The light-emitting element 210-1 can be configured to emit light of a common emission spectrum (e.g., white light), and the first color filter 310a, the second color filter 310b, the third color filter 310c, and the nth color filter 310n can provide wavelength selectivity for the common emission spectrum, as in the aforementioned example. Therefore, as... Figures 8A-8D As shown, the light-emitting element 210-1, the first color filter 310a, the second color filter 310b, the third color filter 310c, and the nth color filter 310n, as well as the sensor 220, have Figures 8A to 8D The optical properties shown.

[0165] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 10 to 13B To describe Figures 1 to 2C An example of a bioimaging system 100 is shown.

[0166] Figure 10 It is shown Figures 1 to 2C A plan view of an example of a bioimaging system shown. Figure 11 yes Figure 10A cross-sectional view of an example of a bioimaging system taken along line XI-XI'. Figure 12A , Figure 12B , Figure 12C and Figure 12D It is shown Figure 10 and Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of an example sensor shown. Figure 13A and Figure 13B It is shown Figure 10 and Figure 11 The graph shows an example of the wavelength spectrum of the light source and sensor in the bioimaging system.

[0167] Reference Figure 10 and Figure 11 A bioimaging system 100 according to some example embodiments includes a substrate 110, a plurality of light sources 210 disposed on the substrate 110, and a plurality of sensors 220 disposed on the substrate 110 and configured to absorb light of different wavelength spectra. As described above, the plurality of light sources 210 and the plurality of sensors 220 may be located on a rigid region 110a of the substrate 110.

[0168] Light source 210 may include light-emitting element 210-1, which includes a pair of electrodes 211 and 212 facing each other and a light-emitting layer 213 between the pair of electrodes 211 and 212, such as Figure 2B As shown. The light emission characteristics of the light source 210 can be the same as or substantially the same as those of the light emission layer 213, and the emission spectrum of the light source 210 can include all the light absorbed by the sensor 220.

[0169] Sensor 220 includes a first sensor 220a, a second sensor 220b, and a third sensor 220c, which are separated from each other. In addition to the first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, and the third sensor 220c, sensor 220 may additionally include an nth sensor 220n, where n can be an integer from 4 to 10. The nth sensor 220n does not refer to a single sensor, but rather to the nth sensor in the series. For example, when n is 7, in addition to the first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, and the third sensor 220c, sensor 220 may also include a fourth sensor, a fifth sensor, a sixth sensor, and a seventh sensor. The nth sensor 220n can be omitted.

[0170] The first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, the third sensor 220c, and the nth sensor 220n can be arranged in parallel (e.g., in a linear sequence) along an in-plane direction (e.g., the x-direction, y-direction, or xy-direction) of the substrate 110, and can absorb light belonging to different wavelength spectra from the visible wavelength spectrum to the infrared wavelength spectrum. For example, the first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, the third sensor 220c, and the nth sensor 220n can be configured to selectively absorb light with wavelength spectra (e.g., different absorption spectra) that are different from each other in the wavelength range of about 380 nm to about 3 μm. Multiple images obtained from light with different absorption spectra are processed to obtain a three-dimensional image of the internal tissue of a living organism.

[0171] The first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, the third sensor 220c, and the nth sensor 220n may each include a first light-absorbing element 220a-1, a second light-absorbing element 220b-1, a third light-absorbing element 220c-1, and an nth light-absorbing element 220n-1, which are configured to absorb light with absorption spectra different from each other. That is, the first sensor 220a may include a first light-absorbing element 220a-1, the second sensor 220b may include a second light-absorbing element 220b-1, the third sensor 220c may include a third light-absorbing element 220c-1, and the nth sensor 220n may include an nth light-absorbing element 220n-1. Each of the first light-absorbing element 220a-1, the second light-absorbing element 220b-1, the third light-absorbing element 220c-1, and the nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 can be an inorganic photoelectric conversion element or an organic photoelectric conversion element.

[0172] Reference Figures 12A to 12D The first light-absorbing element 220a-1 may include a pair of electrodes 221a and 222a facing each other and a light-absorbing layer 223a between the electrodes 221a and 222a. The second light-absorbing element 220b-1 may include a pair of electrodes 221b and 222b facing each other and a light-absorbing layer 223b between the electrodes 221b and 222b. The third light-absorbing element 220c-1 may include a pair of electrodes 221c and 222c facing each other and a light-absorbing layer 223c between the electrodes 221c and 222c. The nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 may include a pair of electrodes 221n and 222n facing each other and a light-absorbing layer 223n between the electrodes 221n and 222n. Electrodes 221a to 221n and 222a to 222n and light-absorbing layers 223a to 223n are referenced above. Figure 2C The description includes the same pair of electrodes 221 and 222 in the sensor and the light absorption layer 223, so its detailed description is omitted here.

[0173] The absorption spectrum of the light absorbed by the first light-absorbing element 220a-1, the second light-absorbing element 220b-1, the third light-absorbing element 220c-1, and the nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 can be determined by the light-absorbing layers 223a, 223b, 223c, and 223n. The light-absorbing layers 223a, 223b, 223c, and 223n can be configured to absorb light with absorption spectra different from each other. For example, the first light-absorbing element 220a-1, the second light-absorbing element 220b-1, the third light-absorbing element 220c-1, and the nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 can be configured to absorb light with a first maximum absorption wavelength λ, respectively. A1,max First absorption spectrum SP A1 The light has the second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max The second absorption spectrum SP A2 The light has the third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max The third absorption spectrum SP A3 Light and having the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ An,max The nth absorption spectrum SP An The light, in which the first maximum absorption wavelength λ A1,max Second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max The third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max and the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ An,max They can be different from each other.

[0174] Reference Figure 13A and Figure 13B The first light-absorbing element 220a-1 can be configured to absorb light with a first maximum absorption wavelength λ. A1,max First absorption spectrum SP A1 The second light-absorbing element 220b-1 can be configured to absorb light having a second maximum absorption wavelength λ. A2,max The second absorption spectrum SP A2 The third light-absorbing element 220c-1 can be configured to absorb light with a third maximum absorption wavelength λ. A3,max The third absorption spectrum SP A3 The nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 can be configured to absorb light with the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ. An,max The nth absorption spectrum SP An The light. That is, the light-absorbing layer 223a can be configured to absorb light with a first maximum absorption wavelength λ. A1,max The light absorption layer 223b can be configured to absorb light with a second maximum absorption wavelength λ, according to the absorption spectrum of the light.A2,max The light absorption layer 223c can be configured to absorb light with a third maximum absorption wavelength λ, according to the absorption spectrum of the light. A3,max The light absorption layer 223n can be configured to absorb light with the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ, according to the absorption spectrum of the light. An,max The light in the absorption spectrum.

[0175] Second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max It can be greater than the first maximum absorption wavelength λ A1,max Long wavelength, third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max It can be greater than the second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max Long wavelength, nth maximum absorption wavelength λ An,max It can be greater than the third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max Long wavelengths. First maximum absorption wavelength λ A1,max Second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max The third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max and the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ An,max Specific (or alternatively, predetermined) intervals can be separated. For example, the first maximum absorption wavelength λ A1,max Second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max The third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max and the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ An,max The difference between adjacent wavelengths in each (e.g., the first maximum absorption wavelength λ) A1,max Second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max The difference between them and the second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max and the third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max Each of the differences between them can be, for example, greater than or equal to about 10 nm, within that range, 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 that range, 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 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.

[0176] First maximum absorption wavelength λ A1,max Second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max The third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max and the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ An,maxIt can belong to the visible wavelength spectrum to the infrared wavelength spectrum, and can, for example, independently fall within the following ranges: about 380 nm to about 3 μm, about 400 nm to about 2 μm, about 450 nm to about 1500 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. For example, the first maximum absorption wavelength λ A1,max Second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max The third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max and the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ An,max Each wavelength can independently belong to one of the blue wavelength spectrum, green wavelength spectrum, red wavelength spectrum, and (near) infrared wavelength spectrum. The blue wavelength spectrum can be greater than or equal to about 400 nm and less than about 500 nm, the green wavelength spectrum can be greater than or equal to about 500 nm and less than or equal to about 600 nm, the red wavelength spectrum can be greater than about 600 nm and less than or equal to about 700 nm, and the (near) infrared wavelength spectrum can be greater than about 700 nm and less than or equal to about 3000 nm.

[0177] absorption spectrum SP A1 SP A2 SP A3 and SP An The full width at half maximum (FWHM) can be, for example, less than or equal to about 300 nm, and within the above range, about 10 nm to about 300 nm, about 30 nm to about 250 nm, or about 50 nm to about 200 nm.

[0178] Because the light source 210 supplies light that is absorbed by the first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, the third sensor 220c, and the nth sensor 220n, the emission spectrum SP of the light source 210 is... E It can include light of all wavelengths that are absorbed by the first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, the third sensor 220c, and the nth sensor 220n.

[0179] For example, the emission spectrum of the light supplied from the light source 210 may include all the absorption spectra of the first to nth sensors 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220n, and may be, for example, in the following ranges: about 380 nm to about 3 μm, about 400 nm to about 2 μm, about 450 nm to about 1500 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. For example, when the first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, and the third sensor 220c are configured to absorb light of the blue wavelength spectrum, the green wavelength spectrum, and the red wavelength spectrum, respectively, and the nth sensor 220n is omitted, the light source 210 may be configured to emit light of the white wavelength spectrum, including the blue wavelength spectrum, the green wavelength spectrum, and the red wavelength spectrum.

[0180] In the bioimaging system 100 according to this example, multiple sensors 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220n configured to absorb light with different absorption spectra relative to each other can provide multiple images of the internal tissues of a living body according to a depth direction from the skin surface by using differences in light penetration depth based on wavelength. These multiple images are processed to obtain information such as the location, shape, size, and / or thickness of the internal tissues of the living body (e.g., blood vessels), and this information can be used to obtain spatial information of the internal tissues of the living body. Furthermore, this spatial information can be separated and / or extracted to effectively obtain information about the internal tissues of the living body present at a specific depth from the skin surface.

[0181] Specifically, as described above, the light emanating from light source 210 has different penetration depths from the skin surface depending on its wavelength; light with a relatively longer wavelength spectrum can penetrate relatively deeper than light with a relatively shorter wavelength spectrum. Therefore, in Figures 10 to 13B In the bioimaging system 100 shown, a device is configured to absorb wavelengths having a third maximum absorption wavelength λ. A3,max The third absorption spectrum SP A3 The image obtained by the third light sensor 220c can be at a wavelength greater than the second maximum absorption wavelength λ, which is configured to absorb light at a relatively short wavelength. A2,max The second absorption spectrum SP A2 The second light sensor 220b obtains an image at a deep location from an image configured to absorb light with a second maximum absorption wavelength λ. A2,max The second absorption spectrum SP A2 The image obtained by the second light sensor 220b can be at a wavelength greater than that obtained by a first maximum absorption wavelength λ, which is configured to absorb light with a relatively short wavelength. A1,max First absorption spectrum SP A1The first light sensor 220a obtains images of deep locations.

[0182] Therefore, by extracting the difference between the image obtained from the third sensor 220c and the image obtained from the second sensor 220b, it is possible to obtain the image with only the third absorption spectrum SP. A3 Similarly, by extracting the difference between the image obtained from the second sensor 220b and the image obtained from the first sensor 220a, image information at the depth where light of a certain wavelength penetrates can be obtained. A2 This allows for the acquisition of image information at depths through which light of a specific wavelength penetrates. Therefore, it is possible to effectively obtain image information of internal tissues located at a specific depth from the skin surface in a living organism.

[0183] In this way, the differences between images obtained from any two of n sensors 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220n, which are configured to absorb light with different absorption spectra relative to each other, are extracted and combined, thereby obtaining spatial information in the depth direction.

[0184] Figure 30 It shows the use Figure 10 A schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a method for obtaining image information of the internal tissues of a living organism using a biological imaging system.

[0185] As in the aforementioned example, a bioimaging method using the bioimaging system 100 may include: fixing the bioimaging system 100 to the skin S; illuminating the skin S by turning on the light source 210; absorbing the light that passes through the skin S and is scattered and reflected by the internal tissues of the living body (such as blood vessels BV) by the sensor 220 to obtain multiple images of light with different wavelength spectra; extracting multiple images of the internal tissues of the living body (such as blood vessels BV) depending on the depth from the surface of the skin S; and combining the multiple images of the internal tissues of the living body (such as blood vessels BV) (e.g., multiple extracted images) to obtain a three-dimensional image of the internal tissues of the living body.

[0186] Together Figure 25 and Figure 27A and Figure 27B Reference Figure 30Sensor 220 may include a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor (e.g., 220a, 220b, and 220c) configured to absorb light with absorption spectra that differ from each other. The depths D1, D2, and D3 of light irradiated from light source 210, depending on wavelength, have a specific (or alternatively, predetermined) distribution, and images of the internal tissues of a living organism obtained by light reflected at different depths according to wavelength can be obtained from the first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, and the third sensor 220c configured to absorb light with absorption spectra that differ from each other. For example, because among the first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, and the third sensor 220c, the first sensor 220a is configured to absorb the first absorption spectrum SP with the shortest wavelength. A1 The light and the third sensor 220c are configured to absorb the third absorption spectrum SP with the longest relative wavelength. A3 The light, therefore, is absorbed through the first to third absorption spectra SP. A1 SP A2 and SP A3 The signal obtained by irradiation with light can provide images M1, M2, and M3 from a depth D1 relatively close to the skin surface S1 to the deepest depth D3. Based on these images M1, M2, and M3, the differences between the images according to each depth D1, D2, and D3 are extracted, and the lowest, middle, and highest points of the blood vessel BV are specified to obtain a three-dimensional image of the blood vessel BV. For example, extracting the differences between images M1, M2, and M3 can include extracting an image of the internal tissue of the living body at a second depth D2 from the skin surface S1 based on the difference between an image obtained according to light absorbed by the second sensor 220b and an image obtained according to light absorbed by the first sensor 220a, and extracting an image of the internal tissue of the living body at a third depth D3 deeper than the second depth D2 based on the difference between an image obtained according to light absorbed by the third sensor 220c and an image obtained according to light absorbed by the second sensor 220b. Spatial information such as the location, shape, size, and / or thickness of the blood vessel BV can be confirmed from the three-dimensional image of the blood vessel BV.

[0187] Together Figure 29 Reference Figure 30 When two or more of multiple vessel blood vessels (BVs) are located in the depth direction, an image of a vessel blood vessel located at a specific depth can be obtained by separating the images of the multiple vessel blood vessels and extracting the differences.

[0188] That is, the depths D1, D2, and D3 through which light irradiated from light source 210 penetrates according to wavelength have a specific (or alternatively, predetermined) distribution, and the information obtained by blood vessels BV1 and BV2 through light reflected at different depths D1, D2, and D3 according to wavelength can be selectively obtained from multiple sensors 220a, 220b, and 220c configured to absorb light of different wavelength spectra. The image information obtained from light of the first to third absorption spectra can each include spatial information from a depth D1 relatively close to the skin surface S1 to the deepest depth D3, and not only can a three-dimensional image of each blood vessel BV1 and BV2 be obtained by extracting the differences between multiple images and specifying the lowest point, midpoint, and highest point of each blood vessel BV1 and BV2, but also a clear image of blood vessel BV2 can be obtained without the resolution reduction caused by blood vessel BV1 by extracting the differences between the image obtained from blood vessel BV1 and the image obtained from blood vessel BV2. Therefore, when multiple blood vessels BV1 and BV2 are located in the depth direction from the skin surface S1, the spatial information of the internal tissues of a living organism can be effectively examined in this way. An example of two blood vessels BV1 and BV2 being located in the depth direction has been described here, but the implementation is not limited to this; the bioimaging method described here can also be applied to the case of n blood vessels being located in the depth direction.

[0189] Simultaneously, the bioimaging method may also include obtaining a correction image before acquiring the aforementioned three-dimensional image. The correction image is used to eliminate the influence of the skin's optical properties (e.g., scattering and / or absorption) caused by differences in skin color and subcutaneous tissue thickness among individuals, and can be obtained based on, for example, a point spread function. For example, a correction image can be obtained by operating only some sensors 220 of the bioimaging system 100 at a first location (specific location) to obtain an image based on the wavelength spectrum corresponding to the first location, and by operating only some sensors 220 of the bioimaging system 100 at a second location (specific location) to obtain an image based on the wavelength spectrum corresponding to the second location, and in this way, by operating only some sensors 220 at an nth location to obtain an image based on the wavelength spectrum corresponding to the nth location. The correction image can be applied to multiple extracted images to correct the multiple extracted images. The corrected extracted images can then be combined to obtain a three-dimensional image. By using the correction image to correct the aforementioned multiple extracted images, the influence of the skin's optical properties can be eliminated to obtain a clear three-dimensional image.

[0190] In the following text, together with Figures 10 to 13B Reference Figure 14 To describe Figure 1 and Figures 2A to 2C Another example of the bioimaging system 100 shown.

[0191] Figure 14 yes Figure 10 Another example of a bioimaging system is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI'. Figure 15A , Figure 15B and Figure 15C It is shown Figure 10 and Figure 14 The graph shows an example of the wavelength spectrum of the light source and sensor in the bioimaging system.

[0192] Reference Figure 14 As in the example described above, the bioimaging system 100 according to the example includes a substrate 110, a plurality of light sources 210 disposed on the substrate 110, and a plurality of sensors 220 disposed on the substrate 110, wherein the sensors 220 include a first sensor 220a, a second sensor 220b, a third sensor 220c, and an optional nth sensor 220n, which are separated from each other and configured to absorb light of different wavelength spectra.

[0193] However, in the bioimaging system 100 according to this example, unlike the bioimaging system 100 according to the foregoing example, the first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, the third sensor 220c, and the nth sensor 220n may include a first light-absorbing element 220a-1, a second light-absorbing element 220b-1, a third light-absorbing element 220c-1, and an nth light-absorbing element 220n-1, each configured to absorb light with a common absorption spectrum (e.g., the same absorption spectrum). The first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, the third sensor 220c, and the nth sensor 220n may also include a first color filter 320a, a second color filter 320b, a third color filter 320c, and an nth color filter 320n for color separation, respectively. That is, the first sensor 220a includes a first light-absorbing element 220a-1 and a first color filter 320a, the second sensor 220b includes a second light-absorbing element 220b-1 and a second color filter 320b, the third sensor 220c includes a third light-absorbing element 220c-1 and a third color filter 320c, and the nth sensor 220n includes an nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 and an nth color filter 320n. As shown in the figure, each of the first, second, third, and nth sensors 220a to 220n may include a single light-absorbing element (e.g., a corresponding one of light-absorbing elements 220a-1 to 220n-1) and a single color filter (e.g., a corresponding one of color filters 320a to 320n) among a plurality of light-absorbing elements, wherein the single color filter of a given sensor overlaps with the single light-absorbing element of the given sensor in a z-direction extending perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate 110, wherein the plurality of light-absorbing elements 220a-1 to 220n-1 of the first, second, third, and nth sensors 220a to 220n are configured to selectively absorb light of the same absorption spectrum.

[0194] The first color filter 320a, the second color filter 320b, the third color filter 320c, and the nth color filter 320n (which may be referred to herein as multiple color filters) may overlap, for example, with the first light-absorbing element 220a-1, the second light-absorbing element 220b-1, the third light-absorbing element 220c-1, and the nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 at the locations through which the light emitted from the first light-absorbing element 220a-1, the second light-absorbing element 220b-1, the third light-absorbing element 220c-1, and the nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 pass, respectively. The first light-absorbing element 220a-1 and the first color filter 320a, the second light-absorbing element 220b-1 and the second color filter 320b, the third light-absorbing element 220c-1 and the third color filter 320c, and the nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 and the nth color filter 320n can be in contact with each other independently or can be spaced apart from each other, for example, by an insulating layer (not shown).

[0195] The first light-absorbing element 220a-1, the second light-absorbing element 220b-1, the third light-absorbing element 220c-1, and the nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 can be configured to absorb (e.g., selectively absorb) light of a common absorption spectrum. The common absorption spectrum may include the transmission spectrum of the first color filter 320a, the second color filter 320b, the third color filter 320c, and the nth color filter 320n.

[0196] The first color filter 320a, the second color filter 320b, the third color filter 320c, and the nth color filter 320n can be configured to selectively transmit light of different wavelengths belonging to a common absorption spectrum absorbed in the first light-absorbing element 220a-1, the second light-absorbing element 220b-1, the third light-absorbing element 220c-1, and the nth light-absorbing element 220n-1. That is, the first color filter 320a, the second color filter 320b, the third color filter 320c, and the nth color filter 320n can provide wavelength selectivity for a common absorption spectrum.

[0197] For example, the first color filter 320a can be configured to selectively transmit a common absorption spectrum having a first maximum transmission wavelength λ. T1,max The first transmission spectrum of light can be transmitted, and it can be configured to absorb or reflect other light. For example, the second color filter 320b can be configured to selectively transmit light with a second maximum transmission wavelength λ in the common absorption spectrum. T2,max The second transmission spectrum of light can be transmitted, and it can be configured to absorb or reflect other light. For example, the third color filter 320c can be configured to selectively transmit light with a third maximum transmission wavelength λ in the common absorption spectrum. T3,max The third transmission spectrum of light can be transmitted, and it can be configured to absorb or reflect other light. For example, the nth color filter 320n can be configured to selectively transmit light with the nth maximum transmission wavelength λ in the common absorption spectrum. Tn,max The nth transmission spectrum of light, and can be configured to absorb or reflect other light.

[0198] Reference Figure 15A , Figure 15B and Figure 15C The light source 210 can be configured to emit a specific (or alternatively, predetermined) emission spectrum SP. E0 The light. A specific (or alternatively, predetermined) emission spectrum SP. E0The light is reflected by the internal tissues of the living body (e.g., blood vessels) and passes through the first color filter 320a, the second color filter 320b, the third color filter 320c, and the nth color filter 320n, respectively. The light passing through the first color filter 320a, the second color filter 320b, the third color filter 320c, and the nth color filter 320n can have a first maximum transmission wavelength λ. T1,max First transmission spectrum SP T1 Light with the second maximum transmission wavelength λ T2,max The second transmission spectrum SP T2 Light with the third maximum transmission wavelength λ T3,max The third transmission spectrum SP T3 Light and having the nth maximum transmission wavelength λ Tn,max The nth transmission spectrum SP Tn The light passing through the first color filter 320a, the second color filter 320b, the third color filter 320c, and the nth color filter 320n can be wavelength selective. The maximum transmission wavelengths λ from the first to the nth color filter are... T1,max To λ Tn,max Each of the multiple light-absorbing elements 220a-1 to 220n-1 can be configured to absorb the same absorption spectrum SP. A Inside.

[0199] Due to the wavelength selectivity of the first color filter 320a, the second color filter 320b, the third color filter 320c, and the nth color filter 320n, the first sensor 220a can be configured to absorb light through the combination of the first light-absorbing element 220a-1 and the first color filter 320a, thus absorbing light with a first maximum absorption wavelength λ. A1,max First absorption spectrum SP A1 The second sensor 220b can be configured to absorb light having a second maximum absorption wavelength λ through a combination of the second light-absorbing element 220b-1 and the second color filter 320b. A2,max The second absorption spectrum SP A2 The third sensor 220c can be configured to absorb light with a third maximum absorption wavelength λ through a combination of the third light-absorbing element 220c-1 and the third color filter 320c. A3,max The third absorption spectrum SP A3 The light, the nth sensor 220n, can be configured to absorb light with the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ through a combination of the nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 and the nth color filter 320n. An,max The nth absorption spectrum SP An The light.

[0200] Second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max It can be greater than the first maximum absorption wavelength λ A1,maxLong wavelength, third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max It can be greater than the second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max Long wavelength, nth maximum absorption wavelength λ An,max It can be greater than the third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max Long wavelengths. First maximum absorption wavelength λ A1,max Second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max The third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max and the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ An,max Specific (or alternatively, predetermined) intervals can be separated. For example, the first maximum absorption wavelength λ A1,max Second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max The third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max and the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ An,max The difference between adjacent wavelengths in each (e.g., the first maximum absorption wavelength λ) A1,max Second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max The difference between them and the second maximum absorption wavelength λ A2,max and the third maximum absorption wavelength λ A3,max Each of the differences may, for example, be 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 above range, 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 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.

[0201] Transmission spectroscopy SP T1 SP T2 SP T3 and SP Tn and absorption spectrum SP A1 SP A2 SP A3 and SP An Each of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) can, for example, be less than or equal to about 300 nm, and within the range described above, is about 10 nm to about 300 nm, about 30 nm to about 250 nm, or about 50 nm to about 200 nm.

[0202] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 16 and Figure 17 To describe Figures 1 to 2CAn example of a bioimaging system 100 is shown.

[0203] Figure 16 It is shown Figures 1 to 2C A plan view of an example of a bioimaging system shown. Figure 17 yes Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of an example of a bioimaging system taken along line XVII-XVII'.

[0204] Reference Figure 16 and Figure 17 A bioimaging system 100 according to some exemplary embodiments includes: a substrate 110; a plurality of light sources 210, including a first light source 210a, a second light source 210b, a third light source 210c, and an nth light source 210n disposed on the substrate 110 and configured to emit light of different wavelength spectra; and a plurality of sensors 220, including a first sensor 220a, a second sensor 220b, a third sensor 220c, and an nth sensor 220n disposed on the substrate 110 and configured to absorb light of different wavelength spectra. The descriptions of the first light source 210a, the second light source 210b, the third light source 210c, and the nth light source 210n, as well as the first sensor 220a, the second sensor 220b, the third sensor 220c, and the nth sensor 220n, are the same as described above. The bioimaging system 100 according to this example may have a configuration in which the foregoing examples are combined according to position. For example, as... Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown, the bioimaging system 100 may include a light source 210, which includes a first light source 210a, a second light source 210b, and a third light source 210c configured to emit (e.g., selectively emit) light with different emission spectra within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum. The bioimaging system 100 may also include a sensor 220, which includes a first sensor 220a, a second sensor 220b, and a third sensor 220c configured to absorb (e.g., selectively absorb) light with absorption spectra that are different from each other within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum. As shown, the light sources 210 and sensors 220 may be arranged parallel to each other (e.g., in a linear sequence) along the in-plane direction of the substrate 110.

[0205] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 18 to 21 To describe Figures 1 to 2C An example of a bioimaging system 100 is shown.

[0206] Figure 18 It is shown Figures 1 to 2C A plan view of an example of a bioimaging system shown. Figure 19 yes Figure 18 A cross-sectional view of an example of a bioimaging system taken along line XIX-XIX'. Figure 20 yes Figure 18 Another example of a bioimaging system is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX'. Figure 21 yes Figure 18 Another example of a bioimaging system is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX'.

[0207] Reference Figures 18 to 21 The bioimaging system 100 according to each example may include a substrate 110, a plurality of light sources 210 disposed on the substrate 110, and a plurality of sensors 220 disposed on the substrate 110. The plurality of light sources 210 and the plurality of sensors 220 may be arranged alternately along rows and / or columns. Each light source 210 may include a light-emitting element 210-1, and each sensor 220 may include a light-absorbing element 220-1.

[0208] However, refer to Figure 18 and Figure 19 Unlike the light-absorbing element 220-1 according to the aforementioned example, the light-absorbing element 220-1 can be a wavelength-tunable light-absorbing element whose absorption spectrum is configured to change depending on the applied bias voltage and can be configured to selectively absorb light whose absorption spectrum changes based on the voltage applied to the wavelength-tunable light-absorbing element. For example, some light-absorbing elements 220-1 can be configured to absorb light having a first maximum absorption wavelength λ by applying a first bias voltage. A1,max The light in the first absorption spectrum can be absorbed by some light-absorbing elements 220-1 by applying a second bias voltage different from the first bias voltage, which has a second maximum absorption wavelength λ. A2,max The second absorption spectrum of light, some light-absorbing elements 220-1 can be configured to absorb light with a third maximum absorption wavelength λ by applying a third bias voltage different from the first and second bias voltages. A3,max The light in the third absorption spectrum, some optical absorption elements 220-1 can be configured to absorb light with the nth maximum absorption wavelength λ by applying an nth bias voltage different from the first bias voltage, the second bias voltage, and the third bias voltage. An,max The light absorbs the nth absorption spectrum. Therefore, different bias voltages can be applied to each light-absorbing element 220-1 to absorb light of the desired absorption spectrum, thereby obtaining the same or substantially the same effect as the aforementioned first light-absorbing element 220a-1, second light-absorbing element 220b-1, third light-absorbing element 220c-1 and nth light-absorbing element 220n-1 configured to absorb light of different wavelength spectra.

[0209] As another example, the light-emitting element 210-1 may be a wavelength-tunable light-emitting element instead of the aforementioned wavelength-tunable light-absorbing element, and this wavelength-tunable light-emitting element may be configured to selectively emit light with an emission spectrum that changes based on the voltage applied to the wavelength-tunable light-emitting element. For example, some light-emitting elements 210-1 may be configured to emit light having a first maximum emission wavelength λ by applying a first bias voltage. E1,max The first emission spectrum of light, some light-emitting elements 210-1 can be configured to emit light with a second maximum emission wavelength λ by applying a second bias voltage different from the first bias voltage. E2,max The second emission spectrum of light, some light-emitting elements 210-1 can be configured to emit light with a third maximum emission wavelength λ by applying a third bias voltage different from the first and second bias voltages. E3,max The third emission spectrum of light, some light-emitting elements 210-1 can be configured to emit light with the nth maximum emission wavelength λ by applying an nth bias voltage different from the first bias voltage, the second bias voltage, and the third bias voltage. En,max The nth emission spectrum of light. Therefore, different bias voltages can be applied to each light-emitting element 210-1 to emit light of the desired emission spectrum, thereby obtaining the same or substantially the same effect as the aforementioned first light-emitting element 210a-1, second light-emitting element 210b-1, third light-emitting element 210c-1 and nth light-emitting element 210n-1 configured to emit light of different wavelength spectra.

[0210] Next, refer to Figure 18 and Figure 20 The light source 210 may include a light-emitting element 210-1 and a wavelength-tunable color filter 330. The light-emitting element 210-1 may be configured to emit light with a very broad emission spectrum, such as white light. The wavelength-tunable color filter 330 may have a transmission wavelength spectrum and / or transmittance that are variable depending on the voltage applied to it (e.g., applied to the wavelength-tunable color filter 330), and may include, but is not limited to, electro-optic materials such as liquid crystals, plasma materials, etc. For example, some wavelength-tunable color filters 330 may be configured to selectively transmit light emitted from the light-emitting element 210-1 having a first maximum transmission wavelength λ by applying a first bias voltage. T1,max The light emitted from the light-emitting element 210-1 has a second maximum transmission wavelength λ, and some wavelength-tunable color filters 330 can be configured to selectively transmit the light with a second maximum transmission wavelength λ from the light emitted from the light-emitting element 210-1 by applying a second bias voltage different from the first bias voltage. T2,max The second transmission spectrum of light, some wavelength-tunable color filters 330 can be configured to selectively transmit light emitted from the light-emitting element 210-1 with a third maximum transmission wavelength λ by applying a third bias voltage different from the first and second bias voltages. T3,maxThe light of the third transmission spectrum, some wavelength-tunable color filters 330 can be configured to selectively transmit the light emitted from the light-emitting element 210-1 with the nth maximum transmission wavelength λ by applying an nth bias voltage different from the first bias voltage, the second bias voltage, and the third bias voltage. Tn,max The light of the nth transmission spectrum. Therefore, different bias voltages can be applied to each light source 210 to emit light of the desired emission spectrum, thereby obtaining the same or substantially the same effect as the aforementioned first light-emitting element 210a-1, second light-emitting element 210b-1, third light-emitting element 210c-1 and nth light-emitting element 210n-1 configured to emit light of different wavelength spectra.

[0211] As described herein, a bias can be applied to a wavelength-tunable element, layer, etc. (e.g., wavelength-tunable filter 330) by a controller 101 of the bioimaging system 100 (e.g., a processor based on the controller runs an instruction program to apply a specific bias to a wavelength-tunable element to achieve a specific result (e.g., to cause the wavelength-tunable filter 330 to selectively transmit light in a specific transmission spectrum having a specific maximum transmission wavelength)).

[0212] Reference Figure 18 and Figure 21 The sensor 220 may include a light-absorbing element 220-1 and a wavelength-tunable color filter 330. The light-absorbing element 220-1 may be configured to absorb light with a very broad wavelength spectrum, such as white light, thus providing wavelength selectivity through the wavelength-tunable color filter 330. For example, some wavelength-tunable color filters 330 may be configured to selectively transmit light reflected from the internal tissues of a living organism (e.g., blood vessels) having a first maximum transmission wavelength λ by applying a first bias voltage. T1,max The light of the first transmission spectrum, some wavelength-tunable color filters 330 can be configured to selectively transmit light reflected by the internal tissues of a living organism (e.g., blood vessels) having a second maximum transmission wavelength λ by applying a second bias voltage different from the first bias voltage. T2,max The second transmission spectrum of light, some wavelength-tunable color filters 330 can be configured to selectively transmit light reflected from the internal tissues of a living organism (e.g., blood vessels) having a third maximum transmission wavelength λ by applying a third bias voltage different from the first and second bias voltages. T3,max The light of the third transmission spectrum, some wavelength-tunable color filters 330 can be configured to selectively transmit light reflected by the internal tissues of a living organism (e.g., blood vessels) having the nth maximum transmission wavelength λ by applying an nth bias voltage different from the first, second, and third bias voltages. Tn,maxThe light of the nth transmission spectrum. Therefore, different bias voltages can be applied to each sensor 220 to absorb light of the desired absorption spectrum, thereby obtaining the same or substantially the same effect as the aforementioned first light absorption element 220a-1, second light absorption element 220b-1, third light absorption element 220c-1 and nth light absorption element 220n-1 configured to absorb light of different wavelength spectra.

[0213] Therefore, the bioimaging system 100 may include a color filter 330 that overlaps with the light source 210 or the sensor 220 in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate 110 (e.g., the z-direction as shown in the figure), wherein the color filter 330 is a wavelength-tunable color filter that is configured to selectively transmit light with a transmission spectrum (e.g., a variable transmission spectrum) that can be changed based on the voltage applied to the color filter 330.

[0214] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 22 to 24 Example to describe the biological imaging system 100.

[0215] Figure 22 This is a perspective view illustrating an example of a bioimaging system according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 23 yes Figure 22 A cross-sectional view of a portion of an example of a bioimaging system. Figure 24 yes Figure 22 A cross-sectional view of a portion of another example of a bioimaging system.

[0216] As with the aforementioned example embodiments, the bioimaging system 100 according to some example embodiments includes a substrate 110, a plurality of light sources 210 disposed on the substrate 110, and a plurality of sensors 220 disposed on the substrate 110.

[0217] However, refer to Figure 22 and Figure 23 In the bioimaging system 100 according to this example, unlike the aforementioned example embodiments, multiple light sources 210 and multiple sensors 220 are located at different heights from the substrate 110, where "height" refers to the distance from the substrate 110 in a direction extending perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate 110 (e.g., the z-direction extending perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate 110). For example, as... Figure 22-23 As shown, the bioimaging system 100 may include a light source array 210A containing a plurality of light sources 210 and a sensor array 220A containing a plurality of sensors 220, wherein the light source array 210A and the sensor array 220A are located at different heights from the substrate 110 in a direction extending in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate 110 (e.g., the z-direction extending perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate 110).

[0218] In other words, a plurality of light sources 210 at a first height from the substrate 110 are arranged, for example, along rows and / or columns to form a light source array 210A, and a plurality of sensors 220 at a second height from the substrate 110 are arranged, for example, along rows and / or columns to form a sensor array 220A. For example, the first height may be higher than the second height. A transparent layer 120 may be located between the light source array 210A and the sensor array 220A, and the transparent layer 120 may be a stretchable transparent layer.

[0219] Reference Figure 24 As in the examples described above, a bioimaging system 100 according to some example embodiments includes a substrate 110, a light source array 210A and a sensor array 220A located at different heights relative to each other on the substrate 110, and a transparent layer 120 between the light source array 210A and the sensor array 220A.

[0220] However, unlike the aforementioned exemplary embodiments, the bioimaging system 100 according to this example also includes a light diffusion layer 270 beneath the light source array 210A. The light diffusion layer 270 may be located between the substrate 110 and the light source array 210A, for example, across the entire surface of the substrate 110. As shown, the light diffusion layer 270 may extend between the light source array 210A and the sensor array 220A in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate 110 (e.g., the z-direction). The light diffusion layer 270 may be configured to scatter and diffuse light irradiated from the light source array 210A to uniformly supply the scattered and diffused light to a living organism, such as the skin of a living organism.

[0221] Although only one of the light source 210 and sensor 220 of the bioimaging system 100 is described above as being configured to emit or absorb light of different wavelength spectra, both the light source 210 and sensor 220 can be configured to emit or absorb light of different wavelength spectra.

[0222] The bioimaging system 100 can be applied to electronic devices such as healthcare or security imaging devices for identifying spatial information of the internal tissues of a living organism, and this spatial information can be obtained temporarily or in real time. For example, the internal tissues of a living organism can be blood vessels or internal organs, and spatial information such as the location, shape, size, and / or thickness of blood vessels or internal organs can be used to predict or treat vascular diseases or internal organ diseases in advance.

[0223] The bioimaging system 100 may be, for example, a wearable bioimaging system or a skin-attached bioimaging system that is directly attached to the skin, and the skin-attached bioimaging system may be, for example, a patch-type bioimaging system or a strip-type bioimaging system.

[0224] The bioimaging system 100 may also include a processor and a drive unit such as an IC, the processor being used to acquire electrical signals as described above and to separate and / or extract spatial information of internal tissues of a living organism based on the electrical signals.

[0225] The biological imaging system 100 may also include a display unit for displaying images and spatial information of the internal tissues of a living organism as various characters and / or images.

[0226] Figure 34 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 1300 according to some example embodiments. Figure 34 The electronic device 1300 shown can be an electronic device according to any example implementation.

[0227] Reference Figure 34 The electronic device 1300 includes a processor 1320, a memory 1330, a sensor 1340, and a display device 1350 electrically connected via a bus 1310. The sensor 1340 may include a bioimaging system 100 according to any example embodiment. The display device 1350 may include a display panel, such as an OLED display panel. Figure 34 In the example embodiment shown, electronic device 1300 may include both sensor 1340 and display device 1350, but the example embodiment is not limited thereto: in some example embodiments, electronic device 1300 may include one of sensor 1340 and display device 1350.

[0228] In some example embodiments, some or all of the electronic device 1300 may include or be included in the bioimaging system 100 according to any example embodiment. For example, in some example embodiments, the electronic device 1300 may include the bioimaging system 100 according to any example embodiment, which includes at least one of a sensor 1340 and a display device 1350 and / or is included in at least one of the sensor 1340 and the display device 1350, and a memory 1330, a processor 1320, and a bus 1310 may be coupled in parallel to one or more electrodes of the bioimaging system 100 on the substrate 110 of the bioimaging system 100. In some example embodiments, the bioimaging system 100 may be limited to the sensor 1340 and / or the display device 1350 included in the electronic device 1300, wherein the bus 1310, the memory 1330, and the processor 1320 are external to and (e.g., via the bus 1310) coupled to the bioimaging system 100 to establish the electronic device 1300.

[0229] The processor 1320 can execute a memory program and thus perform at least one function, including controlling the sensor 1340 and / or displaying an image on the display device 1350. The processor 1320 can generate output.

[0230] As described herein, any apparatus, system, electronic device, block, module, unit, controller, circuit, and / or part thereof (including, but not limited to, bioimaging system 100, controller 101, electronic device 1300, processor 1320, memory 1330, sensor 1340, display device 1350, etc.) according to any example implementation may include, be included in, and / or be implemented by, one or more instances of processing circuitry, such as hardware including logic circuitry, hardware / software combinations such as processors running software, or combinations thereof. For example, the processing circuitry may more specifically include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application processor (AP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcomputer, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a neural network processing unit (NPU), an electronic control unit (ECU), an image signal processor (ISP), etc. In some example implementations, the processing circuitry may include: a non-transitory computer-readable storage device (e.g., memory), such as a solid-state drive (SSD), storing an instruction program; and a processor (e.g., CPU) configured to execute the instruction program to implement functions and / or methods, and / or any part thereof, performed by some or all of any means, system, electronic device, block, module, unit, controller, circuit, and / or portions thereof according to any example implementation.

[0231] Any memory and / or storage device described herein, including but not limited to memory 1330, may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium and may store instruction programs. Any memory described herein may be: non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, phase-change random access memory (PRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (ReRAM), or ferroelectric RAM (FRAM); or volatile memory, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), or synchronous DRAM (SDRAM).

[0232] Reference at least Figure 25 , Figure 26 , Figures 27A-27B , Figure 28 , Figure 29 and Figure 30The bioimaging system 100 may include a controller 101, which may be configured to perform some or all of the methods described herein with respect to any example implementation. The controller 101 may, for example, include one or more instances of processing circuitry as described herein, which may include a memory (e.g., memory 1330) storing instruction programs and a processor (e.g., processor 1320) configured to run the instruction programs to cause the bioimaging system 100 to perform some or all of the methods described herein according to any example implementation.

[0233] For example, controller 101 may be configured to control light source 210 according to any example embodiment so that light source 210 emits light according to any example embodiment as described herein to illuminate the skin of a living body. In cases where light source 210 comprises multiple light sources (e.g., light sources configured to emit light with different emission spectra within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum), controller 101 may (e.g., via sending specific signals and / or voltages to light source 210) control light source 210 so that its respective light sources emit light sequentially. As described herein, the emitted light may be scattered and / or reflected by the internal tissues of a living body, and sensor 220 may absorb such scattered and / or reflected light based on the emitted light illuminating the skin of the living body. Sensor 220 may generate one or more signals based on the absorbed light. These one or more signals may be received from sensor 220 at controller 101 and processed by controller 101 to obtain (e.g., generate) multiple images (e.g., multiple images of internal tissue based on different wavelength spectra), as described herein according to any example embodiment. Controller 101 can be configured to extract differences between the plurality of images to produce a plurality of extracted images of the internal tissue of a living organism based on a depth from the skin surface, as described herein according to any example embodiment. Such extraction may include, based on the processed images, determining a first image of the internal tissue of the living organism at a first depth from the skin surface based on differences between an image generated by emitting light from a second light source and an image generated by emitting light from a first light source, and a second image of the internal tissue of the living organism at a second depth deeper than the first depth based on differences between an image generated by emitting light from a third light source and an image generated by emitting light from a second light source. In the case where sensor 220 includes a plurality of sensors (e.g., a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor) configured to absorb light with different absorption spectra relative to each other, extracting differences between the plurality of images may include, based on differences between an image generated by light absorbed by a second sensor and an image generated by light absorbed by a first sensor, extracting a first image of the internal tissue of the living organism at a first depth from the skin surface based on differences between an image generated by light absorbed by a third sensor and an image generated by light absorbed by a second sensor, extracting a second image of the internal tissue of the living organism at a second depth deeper than the first depth based on differences between an image generated by light absorbed by a third sensor and an image generated by light absorbed by a second sensor. Controller 101 can be configured to generate a three-dimensional image of the internal tissues of a living organism based on combining the plurality of extracted images, as described herein according to any example embodiment. Controller 101 can be configured to generate a correction image from a portion of the light source or a portion of the sensor before generating the three-dimensional image, and to use the correction image to correct the plurality of extracted images. Controller 101 can then generate the three-dimensional image based on combining the corrected extracted images.The acquired and / or generated images can be output, displayed, transmitted, etc. (e.g., on a display device as described herein). Controller 101 can obtain image information of the internal tissues of a living organism based on the acquired (e.g., generated) images (including extracted images and / or three-dimensional images as described herein) according to any method of any example implementation, and can cause such information to be output, transmitted, displayed, etc.

[0234] In the following sections, some exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to examples. However, the scope of the inventive concept is not limited to these examples.

[0235] Optical simulation

[0236] Example 1

[0237] When multiple blood vessels are distributed along the depth direction, each blood vessel image is evaluated using a bioimaging system.

[0238] The simulation conditions are as follows.

[0239] -have Figures 3 to 5D The bioimaging system with the structure shown

[0240] - Stretchable substrate thickness: 0.02mm

[0241] - Three blood vessels, BV1, BV2, and BV3, are distributed according to depth.

[0242] -Light source: Surface light source (Lambertian light)

[0243] - Maximum emission wavelengths of the first, second, and third light sources: 600nm / 700nm / 800nm

[0244] - Full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the emission spectra of the first, second, and third light sources: 100nm / 100nm / 100nm

[0245] - Upper / lower electrodes of the light source (light-emitting element): reflective electrode / transmitting electrode

[0246] -Assuming the internal quantum efficiency of the light-absorbing element is 100%.

[0247] - Skin composition: 1.5mm skin thickness, 3mm fat thickness, 30mm muscle thickness

[0248] -Information on the upper blood vessel (BV1): x = 0 mm (reference), z = 1.5 mm (depth from skin surface), radius 0.5 mm

[0249] - Information on the intermediate vessel (BV2): x = 4 mm, z = 5 mm (depth from the skin surface), radius 1.5 mm.

[0250] -Information on the lower blood vessel (BV3): x = -3mm, z = 6mm (depth from the skin surface), radius 1.0mm.

[0251] The result is Figure 31A , Figure 31B and Figure 31C As shown in the image.

[0252] Figure 31A , Figure 31B and Figure 31C It is a simulated curve of the distribution of each blood vessel when multiple blood vessels are distributed along the depth direction, using the bioimaging system according to Example 1.

[0253] When light shines on the skin, light with a wavelength of 800nm ​​(first light source) and light with a wavelength of 700nm (second light source) can reach different depths of approximately 7mm and 4mm, respectively. Furthermore, the difference between the image obtained from the first light source and the image obtained from the second light source is significant. Figure 31A The information shown includes a depth range from 4 mm to 7 mm, thus including two peak signals from the intermediate vessel BV2 and the lower vessel BV3. Figure 31C As shown, the skin light scattering distribution (correction value) is extracted and then applied. Figure 31A To predict the signal of BV2 in the intermediate vessel, this signal is related to Figure 31B The extraction results are the same. This is consistent with the results from the simulated input data ( Figure 31B The signal is almost identical to the ideal data obtained from the input simulation. Therefore, images with wavelength differences and correction values ​​based on the skin light scattering distribution can be used to relatively accurately extract specific vessels among multiple overlapping vessels in the depth direction.

[0254] Observation of vascular images

[0255] Example 2

[0256] A bioimaging system, which includes a wavelength-tunable light-emitting element as a light source, is attached to the back of the hand to examine blood vessel images.

[0257] Figure 32 This is a diagram showing the signals obtained based on in vivo depth using the bioimaging system according to Example 2. Figure 33 It shows that it is aimed at in Figure 32 A graph of the signal measured at each wavelength in four pixels.

[0258] Reference Figure 32A bioimaging system, including a wavelength-tunable light-emitting element (550nm to 650nm) as a light source, is attached to the back of the hand where blood vessels are distributed to illuminate the area and allow light scattered and reflected by the blood vessels to pass through. The light is then measured at four different pixels p1, p2, p3, and p4 at different locations. The blood vessels are positioned to overlap with the third pixel p3 and the fourth pixel p4. Because the light from the light source reaches different depths depending on the wavelength, an image “A” measured at pixels p1, p2, p3, and p4 can be obtained from the difference between data obtained using a 550nm wavelength light source and data obtained using a 500nm wavelength light source. Similarly, an image “B” measured at pixels p1, p2, p3, and p4 can be obtained from the difference between data obtained using a 600nm wavelength light source and data obtained using a 550nm wavelength light source. Similarly, an image “C” measured at pixels p1, p2, p3, and p4 can be obtained from the difference between data obtained using a 650nm wavelength light source and data obtained using a 600nm wavelength light source. Images "A", "B", and "C" are displayed in multiple colors at the same scale. Image "A" represents depth information between 0.6 mm and 0.3 mm from the skin surface, image "B" represents depth information between 1.2 mm and 0.6 mm from the skin surface, and image "C" represents depth information between 2.3 mm and 1.2 mm from the skin surface. Considering the high signal detected at pixels p3 and p4 in image "B", blood vessels located at specific locations and depths must have been detected.

[0259] Figure 33 It shows that it depends on the situation. Figure 32 The signals at wavelengths measured in the four pixels p1, p2, p3, and p4 are shown. As mentioned above, high signals in the depth range of 1.2 mm to 0.6 mm (600 nm / 550 nm) were detected in two pixels p3 and p4. The signal (S) obtained at this time can be corrected for the actual measured value (S) by using the skin light scattering distribution (S0(λ), correction value) measured at locations without blood vessels (e.g., p1 and p2). m (λ)) is obtained.

[0260] While the inventive concept has been described in conjunction with what are now considered practical exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the inventive concept is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Rather, the scope of the inventive concept is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0261] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0029508, filed on March 5, 2021, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A biological imaging system, comprising: substrate; The light source on the substrate; as well as The sensor on the substrate, The sensor is configured to detect light emitted from the light source and reflected by the internal tissues of a living organism. The sensor includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor, which are configured to absorb light with different absorption spectra relative to each other within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum. The first, second, and third sensors are arranged parallel to the light source along the in-plane direction of the substrate. in, The first sensor includes a first light-absorbing element configured to absorb light with a first absorption spectrum having a first maximum absorption wavelength. The second sensor includes a second light-absorbing element configured to absorb light with a second absorption spectrum having a second maximum absorption wavelength, the second maximum absorption wavelength being longer than the first maximum absorption wavelength. The third sensor includes a third light-absorbing element configured to absorb light with a third absorption spectrum having a third maximum absorption wavelength, the third maximum absorption wavelength being longer than the second maximum absorption wavelength. The difference between the first maximum absorption wavelength and the second maximum absorption wavelength, and the difference between the second maximum absorption wavelength and the third maximum absorption wavelength, are both greater than or equal to 10 nm. The bioimaging system is configured to combine the differences between multiple images obtained based on light with different absorption spectra to obtain a three-dimensional image of the internal tissue of a living organism, and the bioimaging system is configured to combine the differences between multiple images obtained based on light with different absorption spectra to obtain spatial information of the internal tissue of a living organism existing at a specific depth from the skin surface.

2. The bioimaging system of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source configured to emit light with different emission spectra within the visible wavelength spectrum to the infrared wavelength spectrum.

3. The bioimaging system according to claim 2, wherein... The first light source includes a first light-emitting element configured to emit light having a first emission spectrum having a first maximum emission wavelength. The second light source includes a second light-emitting element configured to emit light having a second emission spectrum having a second maximum emission wavelength that is longer than the first maximum emission wavelength. The third light source includes a third light-emitting element configured to emit light with a third emission spectrum having a third maximum emission wavelength, the third maximum emission wavelength being longer than the second maximum emission wavelength. The difference between the first maximum emission wavelength and the second maximum emission wavelength, as well as the difference between the second maximum emission wavelength and the third maximum emission wavelength, are both greater than or equal to 10 nm.

4. The bioimaging system according to claim 2, wherein... Each of the first, second, and third light sources includes a single light-emitting element among a plurality of light-emitting elements configured to emit light with the same emission spectrum, and Each of the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source further includes a separate color filter among a plurality of color filters, wherein the plurality of color filters overlap with a separate individual light-emitting element among the plurality of light-emitting elements in a direction extending in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate.

5. The bioimaging system according to claim 4, wherein... The plurality of color filters include The first light source includes a first color filter, which is configured to selectively transmit light having a first transmission spectrum having a first maximum transmission wavelength. The second light source includes a second color filter configured to selectively transmit light having a second transmission spectrum having a second maximum transmission wavelength that is longer than the first maximum transmission wavelength. The third light source includes a third color filter configured to selectively transmit light with a third transmission spectrum having a third maximum transmission wavelength, which is longer than the second maximum transmission wavelength. Each of the first maximum transmission wavelength, the second maximum transmission wavelength, and the third maximum transmission wavelength is within the same emission spectrum in which the plurality of light-emitting elements are configured to emit, and The difference between the first maximum transmission wavelength and the second maximum transmission wavelength, as well as the difference between the second maximum transmission wavelength and the third maximum transmission wavelength, are both greater than or equal to 10 nm.

6. The bioimaging system according to claim 2, wherein the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source are arranged in a linear sequence along the in-plane direction of the substrate.

7. The bioimaging system according to claim 1, wherein... The light source includes multiple light-emitting elements configured to emit light with the same emission spectrum, and The bioimaging system further includes a plurality of color filters that overlap with each of the individual light-emitting elements in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate, the plurality of color filters being configured to provide wavelength selectivity for the same emission spectrum.

8. The bioimaging system according to claim 1, wherein Each of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor includes a single light-absorbing element among a plurality of light-absorbing elements and a single color filter among a plurality of color filters, wherein the single color filter of the sensor overlaps with the single light-absorbing element of the sensor in a direction extending in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate, wherein the plurality of light-absorbing elements are configured to absorb light of the same absorption spectrum.

9. The bioimaging system according to claim 8, wherein The plurality of color filters include The first sensor includes a first color filter that selectively transmits light with a first transmission spectrum having a first maximum transmission wavelength. The second sensor includes a second color filter that selectively transmits light with a second transmission spectrum having a second maximum transmission wavelength, the second maximum transmission wavelength being longer than the first maximum transmission wavelength. The third sensor includes a third color filter that selectively transmits light with a third transmission spectrum having a third maximum transmission wavelength, which is longer than the second maximum transmission wavelength. Each of the first maximum transmission wavelength, the second maximum transmission wavelength, and the third maximum transmission wavelength is within the same absorption spectrum in which the plurality of optical absorption elements are configured to absorb, and The difference between the first maximum transmission wavelength and the second maximum transmission wavelength, as well as the difference between the second maximum transmission wavelength and the third maximum transmission wavelength, are both greater than or equal to 10 nm.

10. The bioimaging system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor are arranged in a linear sequence along the in-plane direction of the substrate.

11. The bioimaging system according to claim 1, wherein The light source includes a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source configured to emit light with different emission spectra within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum, and The sensor includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor configured to absorb light with absorption spectra that differ from each other within the visible wavelength spectrum to the infrared wavelength spectrum.

12. The bioimaging system of claim 11, wherein the light source and the sensor are arranged in a linear sequence along the in-plane direction of the substrate.

13. The bioimaging system of claim 1, further comprising a color filter overlapping the light source or the sensor in a direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the substrate. The color filter is a wavelength-tunable color filter configured to selectively transmit light whose transmission spectrum changes depending on the voltage applied to the wavelength-tunable color filter.

14. The bioimaging system of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a wavelength-tunable light-emitting element configured to selectively emit light with an emission spectrum that changes based on a voltage applied to the wavelength-tunable light-emitting element.

15. The bioimaging system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a wavelength-tunable light-absorbing element configured to selectively absorb light with an absorption spectrum that changes based on a voltage applied to the wavelength-tunable light-absorbing element.

16. The bioimaging system according to claim 1, further comprising: A light source array comprising multiple light sources, wherein the multiple light sources include the light sources, and A sensor array comprising multiple sensors, wherein the multiple sensors include the sensors. The light source array and the sensor array are located at different heights from the substrate in a direction extending in-plane perpendicular to the substrate.

17. The bioimaging system of claim 16, further comprising a light diffusion layer between the light source array and the sensor array.

18. An electronic device comprising the bioimaging system according to claim 1.

19. A bioimaging method, comprising: The bioimaging system according to claim 1 is fixed onto the skin of a living organism; The light source of the bioimaging system emits light to illuminate the skin; as well as The bioimaging system's sensor absorbs light that passes through the skin and is scattered and reflected by the living organism's internal tissues to obtain multiple images based on light of different wavelength spectra.

20. The bioimaging method according to claim 19, further comprising: Differences between the multiple images are extracted to obtain multiple extracted images of the internal tissue of the living organism based on the depth of the skin surface.

21. The bioimaging method according to claim 20, wherein... The light source includes a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source configured to emit light with different emission spectra within the visible to infrared wavelength spectrum, and Making the light source of the bioimaging system emit light includes making the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source emit light sequentially.

22. The bioimaging method according to claim 21, wherein... Extracting the differences between the multiple images includes A first image of the internal tissue of the living organism located at a first depth from the skin surface is extracted based on the difference between an image obtained by emitting light from the second light source and an image obtained by emitting light from the first light source. A second image of the internal tissue of the living organism located at a second depth deeper than the first depth is extracted based on the difference between an image obtained by illuminating the third light source and an image obtained by illuminating the second light source.

23. The bioimaging method according to claim 21, wherein... The sensor includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor configured to absorb light with absorption spectra that are different from each other. Extracting the differences between the multiple images includes A first image of the internal tissue of the living organism located at a first depth from the skin surface is extracted based on the difference between the image obtained according to the light absorbed by the second sensor and the image obtained according to the light absorbed by the first sensor. A second image of the internal tissue of the living organism located at a second depth deeper than the first depth is extracted based on the difference between the image obtained according to the light absorbed by the third sensor and the image obtained according to the light absorbed by the second sensor.

24. The bioimaging method of claim 20 further includes obtaining a three-dimensional image of the internal tissue of the living organism based on combining the plurality of extracted images.

25. The bioimaging method according to claim 24, further comprising: Before obtaining the three-dimensional image A corrected image is obtained from a portion of the light source or a portion of the sensor, and The corrected image is used to correct the plurality of extracted images.

26. The bioimaging method according to claim 19, wherein... The internal tissues of the living organism include blood vessels.

Images