Composition identification of anatomical target

Abstract

To provide techniques for identifying the composition of an anatomical target using a series of different colored light sources.SOLUTION: In an example, a method can include emitting light from multiple illumination sources, receiving an illumination response from an anatomical target at an optical sensor, providing an image representation of the anatomical target, and providing spectral intensity information of the illumination response in addition to the image. Each illumination source can emit light having a range of frequencies with a center at a different frequency than each other illumination source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 061,256, filed August 5, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to target identification, and more particularly to techniques for identifying the composition of anatomical landmarks using a series of different colored light sources. [Background technology]

[0003] Medical scopes allow users to inspect hidden areas of a patient. Scopes for visual inspection of certain internal areas of a patient, such as endoscopes and laparoscopes, were first developed in the early 1800s and have been used to inspect the inside of the body. A typical medical scope consists of a distal end with an optical or electrical imaging system, and a proximal end with controls for manipulating tools and devices to view the image, as well as a solid or tubular elongated shaft connecting the ends. Some medical scopes allow the physician to pass a tool or treatment through the hollow channel, for example to cut tissue or remove an object. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Effective use of a medical scope depends on several factors, such as experience, dexterity, and visual cues. Medical scopes that allow interaction within a small, confined space of a patient's body often use a screen or monitor to project an image of the area around the distal end of the medical scope. Improving the image displayed can allow the medical scope to be used more effectively. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Techniques are provided for identifying the composition of an anatomical target using a series of different color light sources. In one example, a method can include emitting light from a plurality of illumination sources, receiving an illumination response from the anatomical target with an optical sensor, providing an image representative of the anatomical target, and providing spectral intensity information of the illumination response in addition to the image. Each illumination source can emit light having a range of frequencies, each centered at a different frequency than the other illumination sources.

[0006] This section is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of this patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive description of the invention. The detailed description is included to provide further information about this patent application. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram generally illustrating a composition-identification system 100 in accordance with the present subject matter. [Figure 2A] 1A-1D diagrammatically illustrate a method of operating an exemplary lighting system in accordance with the present subject matter. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example spectral profile provided by an example controller. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram generally illustrating a system employing an exemplary compositional identification system in accordance with the present subject matter. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram generally illustrating a system employing an exemplary compositional identification system in accordance with the present subject matter. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram generally illustrating an exemplary method of operating an illumination system employing multiple illumination sources to determine the composition of an anatomical target. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates generally intensity-normalized wavelength plots of several illumination sources that can be used in an example system of the present subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] A medical scope can provide a view of a patient's anatomical landmarks. Such medical scopes include, but are not limited to, endoscopes, laparoscopes, or variations and other types of scopes used for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. During a medical scope procedure, a physician can control the position of the end of the scope to view the anatomical landmarks. Whether diagnostic or therapeutic, the composition of the anatomical landmarks can provide additional information that can benefit the efficiency and effectiveness of many procedures. The inventors have discovered techniques to supplement imaging of medical scope procedures. Such supplementation can include providing compositional information about the anatomical landmarks when the landmarks are viewed in a traditional manner with a medical scope.

[0009] FIG. 1 generally illustrates a composition identification system 100 according to the present subject matter. The composition identification system 100 can include an illumination system 101 and an imaging system 102. The illumination system 101 can include a plurality of illumination sources 103 and a controller 104. The imaging system can include an optical sensor 105 and a controller 106. Each illumination source 103 can provide light having a narrow range of wavelengths. The narrow range of wavelengths of each illumination source 103 can surround a central frequency characteristic of the color of light emitted by the illumination source 103, and the central frequency of the first illumination source 103 can be different from the central frequency of the other illumination sources. It is understood that the illumination source can include more than one light source that can realize the narrow range wavelength characteristic of the illumination source. For example, if the illumination source provides "blue" light from light emitting diodes (LEDs), the illumination source can have several "blue" LEDs. An advantageous aspect of the illumination system 101 is that the illumination sources 103 of the illumination system 101 can be activated by the controller 104 in a sequential pattern such that the light emitted from the illumination system 101 appears as white light to some systems as well as to users of the composition identification system 100. In some examples, in addition to providing on / off control of each illumination source, the controller 14 can modulate other properties of each individual illumination source, such as amplitude, on / off duty cycle, intensity, or combinations thereof. While the illumination sources 103 sequentially illuminate the anatomical target 107, a second controller, such as the controller 106 of the imaging system 102, can obtain a spectral profile of the light reflected from the target 105 to determine or estimate the composition of the target 105. Because the light emitted by the illumination system 101 appears as white light or light having a broad range of the visible light spectrum, the illumination system 101 can be used to provide illumination for visually identifying the anatomical landmark 107 as well as for electronically observing and recording images of the anatomical landmark 107.At the same time, the spectral profile can be very accurate because the illumination light used to form the profile is of a predefined wavelength and intensity, and images capturing the response illumination of the individual illumination sources can be captured and evaluated. The colors selected for the individual illumination sources 103 can be related to the spectral profile of a known composition.

[0010] In an example, the controllers 104, 106 can compile a spectral profile of the response illumination captured by the optical sensor 105. The spectral profile can reveal the level to which the color of the illumination source 103 is absorbed or not absorbed by the anatomical target 107. If the spectral profile matches a known profile, the composition of the anatomical target 107 can be determined. While such analysis can be performed using white light with a broad spectrum of random wavelengths and intensities, the use of predefined narrow band wavelength illumination sources 103 of the exemplary illumination system 101 can allow for less noise and faster acquisition of the spectral profile of the response illumination compared to the random wavelengths of conventional systems due to the predefined narrow band of each of the illumination wavelengths and the predefined intensity of each illumination source 103.

[0011] In one example, the controller 106 of the imaging system 102 and the controller 104 of the illumination system 101 can be coupled via a communication link 108 to synchronize the sequencing of the multiple illumination sources 103 and the sampling of the optical sensor 105. In one example, the multiple illumination sources 103 can include LEDs, lasers, quantum dots, or combinations thereof.

[0012] FIG. 2A diagrammatically illustrates a method of operating an example illumination system (e.g., 101 in FIG. 1) according to the present subject matter. The illumination system can include multiple illumination sources. Each illumination source can project light having a wavelength different from some other illumination source of the illumination system. For example, a first illumination source can project light having a wavelength of about 400 nanometers (nm), a second illumination source can project light having a wavelength of about 500 nm, and a third illumination source can project light having a wavelength of about 630 nm. In some examples, the illumination system can have additional illumination sources capable of projecting light having unique wavelengths or unique center frequencies. In the example plot of FIG. 2A, the illumination system includes illumination sources capable of individually generating red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple light. A plot of the control signals of the illumination system illumination sources shows that the method can pulse each illumination source at any one time, for example, at intervals as small as the order of microseconds (about μs). The method shows that the illumination system provides illumination continuously. In some examples, the illumination period of one illumination source may overlap with a portion of the illumination period of a second illumination source. In some examples, the composition illumination provided by the sequential pulsed emission of the illumination sources of the exemplary illumination system may appear as white light or light having a full spectrum of visible frequencies, such that the cycling of the individual illumination sources is not detectable to the human eye. Thus, the optical sensor, camera, or display of the imaging system can capture and project a well-illuminated image of the screen area to display the image. In applications that do not require a clear, well-illuminated image, the interval at which the individual illumination sources are activated may be longer than 1 μs, such as on the order of a few milliseconds (ms) or more.

[0013] When the target is illuminated, an optical sensor can collect the response illumination by a single illumination source of the illumination system, and the controller can analyze the image to evaluate the absorption rate by the target of the particular color projected by the illumination source. As the illumination system repeatedly enables and disables each illumination source, the controller can integrate the absorption information for each wavelength projected by the illumination source of the illumination system to compile a spectral profile of the target. In an example, the controller that captures the image for spectral analysis can be synchronized with the controller of the illumination system. FIG. 2B illustrates an example spectral profile provided by an example controller. The example spectral profile includes a line 210 that marks the expected normalized intensity for the response illumination from a white reference target. The spectral profile information can provide an indication of the composition of the target. In some examples, the spectral profile information can be displayed with the image captured by the camera, allowing the user to obtain timely feedback that enables the user to determine the composition of the target. Such feedback can enlighten the operator on how to plan or adjust the treatment of the target depending on whether the system is being used for diagnosis or to administer therapy.

[0014] In one example, the controller can control the sequencing of the illumination sources while synchronizing the capture of images when a particular illumination source illuminates the target. For example, the controller can initiate an illumination interval for a first illumination source. When the first illumination source is illuminating the target, the controller can provide a signal to the imaging system to capture a single image of the target illuminated only by the light of the first illumination source.

[0015] FIG. 3 generally illustrates a system 320 employing an exemplary composition identification system according to the present subject matter. The system 300 can include a medical scope 311, an illumination system 301, and an imaging system 302. In some examples, the imaging system 302 can include a monitor coupled to a proximal end 318 of the medical scope 311 for displaying an image of an anatomical landmark 307 at a distal end 319 of the medical scope 311. The medical scope 311 can include a shaft 314 or probe, an optical sensor 306, and an illumination or optical path 313. The shaft 314 can extend into an opening or incision in a patient. In some examples, the shaft 314 can be flexible to steer twists and rotations while positioned at the anatomical landmark 307. The shaft 314 can include one or more channels 317.

[0016] The optical sensor 306 can be integrated with the shaft. The optical sensor 306 can receive light from an area around the distal end 319 of the shaft, including light reflected or generated by the anatomical landmark 307. The optical sensor 306 can provide an image signal 312 to the imaging system 302. In one example, the imaging system 302 can include a display or monitor so that a user of the medical scope 311 can view a real-time image of the anatomical landmark 307.

[0017] The illumination system can illuminate the anatomical landmark 307 such that the optical sensor 306 can capture an image or other optical effect of the anatomical landmark 307. In some examples, the illumination system can be part of the medical scope 311. In some examples, the illumination system can be separate from the medical scope 311. In some examples, light from multiple illumination sources 303 of the illumination system can be conveyed via an optical path 313 in the shaft of the medical scope. In some examples, the illumination system can include multiple illumination sources 303. Each illumination source 303 can provide light of a different color than the other illumination sources. For example, a first illumination source can provide light having a narrow frequency range centered on a first frequency, and each other illumination source of the illumination system can provide light having a narrow frequency range centered on another frequency. In some examples, each illumination source can emit light centered on a different frequency or wavelength than the light emitted from each other illumination source. In some examples, the boundary frequency of the light of each illumination source is visible light, although the subject matter is not so limited. Full width at half maximum (FWHM) is a parameter commonly used to describe the width of a "bump" in a curve or function. It is given by the distance between the points on the curve where the function reaches half of its maximum value. In an example, each illumination source can provide light having an FWHM of less than 20 nanometers (nm). In some examples, the FWHM parameter for one or more of the illumination sources can be less than 10 nm. In some examples, the FWHM parameter for one or more of the illumination sources can be less than 5 nm.

[0018] FIG. 6 generally illustrates several intensity-normalized wavelength plots of illumination sources that may be used in an exemplary system of the present subject matter. The plot includes a first wavelength plot 601 for a violet illumination source centered at about 401 nm wavelength. The plot includes a second wavelength plot 602 for a blue illumination source centered at about 456 nm wavelength. The plot includes a third wavelength plot 603 for a green illumination source centered at about 511 nm wavelength. The plot includes a fourth wavelength plot 604 for an orange illumination source centered at about 588 nm wavelength. The plot includes a fifth wavelength plot 605 for a red illumination source centered at about 634 nm wavelength. 6 are scales of full width at half maximum (FWHM) 606, 607 for the second wavelength plot 602 and the third wavelength plot 603. A rough estimate indicates that the FWHM 606 for the second wavelength plot is approximately 35 nm, and the FWHM 607 for the third wavelength plot is approximately 25 nm.

[0019] In one example, referring back to FIG. 3, the multiple illumination sources 303 can assist in determining the composition of the anatomical landmark 307. For example, the illustrated system can be used to diagnose or correct certain conditions in which "stones," such as kidney stones, cause health problems. Knowledge of the composition of the stone can assist in selecting the proper treatment to correct the health problem. Determining the composition of the stone can include illuminating the stone with different colors or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the multiple illumination sources 303, capturing the reflection or fluorescent emission of the applied illumination with the optical sensor 306, and analyzing the level of absorption of the captured and illuminated light to determine the composition of the anatomical landmark 307. It is understood that light of visible colors is a form of electromagnetic radiation. In one example, the controller of the imaging system 302 and the controller of the illumination system 301 can be coupled via a communication link 308 to synchronize the sequencing of the multiple illumination sources 403 and the sampling of the optical sensor 305. In an example, the multiple illumination sources 303 may include LEDs, lasers, quantum dots, or a combination thereof.

[0020] In some examples, the optical path 313 can include one or more optical fibers for transmitting light from the multiple illumination sources 303. In some examples, the shaft 314 can include one or more optional optical paths 323. In some examples, the combined light from the multiple illumination sources 303 can be transmitted via a common optical medium, such as a common optical fiber or fiber optic cable. In some examples, the light from the multiple illumination sources 303 can be transmitted separately via multiple optical paths or multiple optical media, such as multiple optical fibers or multiple fiber optic cables. In some examples, the light from each illumination source 303 can be transmitted individually via separate optical media from the proximal end of the shaft 314 to the distal end of the shaft 314. In some examples, the light from a subset of illumination sources of the multiple illumination sources 303 can be transmitted as separate groups via separate optical media from the proximal end of the shaft 314 to the distal end of the shaft 314.

[0021] FIG. 4 generally illustrates a system employing an example composition identification system 400 according to the present subject matter. The system 400 can include a medical scope 411 and an imaging system. In some examples, the imaging system can include a camera 415 at a distal end 419 of the medical scope 411 and a monitor coupled to a proximal end 418 of the medical scope 411 for displaying an image of the anatomical landmark 407 disposed at the distal end 419 of the medical scope 411. In some examples, the medical scope 411 can include a shaft 414 or probe, a camera 415, and an illumination system. The shaft 414 can extend into an opening or incision in a patient. In some examples, the shaft 414 can be flexible to steer twists and turns while positioned at the anatomical landmark. The shaft can include one or more channels 417.

[0022] The camera 415 can be disposed in one of the channels of the shaft 414. The camera 415 can receive light from an area around the distal end 419 of the shaft 414, including light reflected or generated by the anatomical landmark 407. The camera 415 can provide an image signal to an imaging system. In one example, a monitor of the imaging system can display the image such that a user of the medical scope 411 can view a real-time image of the anatomical landmark 407.

[0023] The illumination system 401 can illuminate the anatomical landmark 407 such that the camera 415 can capture an image or other optical effect of the anatomical landmark 407. In some examples, the illumination system 401 can be part of the medical scope 411. In some examples, the illumination system 401 can be separate from the medical scope 411. In some examples, light from an illumination source of the illumination system 401 can be conveyed via an optical path 413 in the shaft 414 of the medical scope 411, or one or more optional optical paths 423. In some examples, the illumination system 401 can include multiple illumination sources 403. Each illumination source 403 can provide light of a different color than the other illumination sources. For example, a first illumination source can provide light having a narrow frequency range centered on a first frequency, and each other illumination source of the illumination system can provide light having a narrow frequency range centered on another frequency. In some examples, the boundary frequency of the light of each illumination source is visible light, although the subject matter is not so limited.

[0024] In one example, multiple illumination sources 403 can assist in determining the composition of the anatomical landmark 407. For example, the illustrated system 400 can be used to diagnose or correct certain conditions in which "concretions," such as kidney stones, cause health problems. Knowledge of the composition of the stone can assist in selecting the proper treatment to correct the health problem. Determining the composition of the stone can include illuminating the stone with different colors or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, capturing reflected illumination or fluorescent emissions of the applied illumination with an optical sensor 405, and analyzing the levels of absorption of the captured light and illuminated light to determine the composition of the anatomical landmark 407.

[0025] In one example, the optical sensor 405 can receive the responsive illumination, such as light from the illumination system reflecting off the anatomical landmark 407 and an area around the anatomical landmark 407. The optical sensor 405 can be disposed at a proximal end 418 of the shaft 414 and can receive the responsive illumination via an optical path 416 that extends inside the working channel 417 of the medical scope 411. In one example, the optical path 416 can include an optical fiber or an optical cable. In one example, a controller of the optical sensor 405 and a controller of the illumination system 401 can be coupled via a communication link 408 to synchronize the sequencing of the multiple illumination sources 403 and the sampling of the optical sensor 405. In one example, the multiple illumination sources 403 can include LEDs, lasers, quantum dots, or a combination thereof.

[0026] FIG. 5 generally illustrates an exemplary method of operating an illumination system employing multiple illumination sources to determine the composition of an anatomical target. At 501, light from the multiple illumination sources can be emitted from the illumination system to illuminate the anatomical target to generate an illumination response. In some examples, each individual illumination source can emit light having a different color than the other illumination sources. In some examples, the illumination sources can be pulsed in a sequential manner such that only a portion of the multiple illumination sources emit light at any particular moment. In some examples, sequential pulsing of the illumination sources can allow each color of the illumination sources to be the only color emitted at a particular moment. At the same time, the effect of sequential pulsing of the illumination sources can appear as if the illumination system is emitting white light or light having a wide range of wavelengths across the visible light spectrum.

[0027] At 503, an optical sensor can receive an illumination response from the anatomical landmark. In an example, the optical sensor can include a photosensitive transistor, such as a CMOS device, or can include a photosensitive charge-coupled device (CCD). In some examples, the optical sensor can be a spectrometer. At 505, an image of the anatomical landmark can be provided to a user, for example, via a monitor. At 507, the user can be provided with spectral information about the anatomical landmark. The spectral information can be derived from the illumination response received at the optical sensor. In some examples, the spectral information can be provided via a second monitor. In some examples, the spectral information can be provided via the same monitor that provides the image. In some examples, the controller can compare the spectral information, which can be in the form of a spectral profile, to profiles of known materials and phenomena. As such, if the derived spectral profile matches, with a degree of certainty, a known material or phenomenon, a warning or indication can be displayed on the monitor for the user. In some examples, the optical sensor can include multiple photosensitive devices mapped to the field of view, and the spectral profile can include spectral information for multiple areas within the field of view. Thus, if the derived spectral profile for an area matches a known material or phenomenon (e.g., cancerous tissue, a cyst, scar tissue, etc.), the area may be graphically highlighted to indicate a possible area of ​​interest. In some examples, the parameters for matching the derived spectral profile with an alert condition may be conditioned on the hardness or softness of the material to which the spectral profile matches, and an indication of the hardness of the material may be displayed on the monitor.

[0028] Notes and Examples In a first example, Example 1, a target analysis system may include a sensor configured to receive responsive illumination from an anatomical target; an illumination device having a plurality of illumination sources for illuminating the anatomical target, each illumination source configured to emit light having a full width at half maximum centered at a different frequency than the other illumination sources; and an imaging system configured to control each illumination source of the plurality of illumination sources to provide an image representative of the anatomical target and to provide spectral intensity information of the received illumination in addition to the image.

[0029] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 includes wherein the imaging system is configured to provide a spectral intensity signal of the received illumination in addition to the image.

[0030] In Example 3, the subject matter of Examples 1-2 includes the full width at half maximum of the light emitted by each illumination source not overlapping the frequency range of the full width at half maximum of the light emitted by each other illumination source.

[0031] In Example 4, the subject matter of Examples 1-3 includes the imaging system including a controller configured to modulate individual intensities of illumination sources of the plurality of illumination sources.

[0032] In Example 5, the subject matter of Examples 1-4 includes the controller being configured to periodically vary an intensity state of the illumination device to achieve a temporal sequence of the plurality of illumination states, wherein a first illumination state of the plurality of illumination states is different from an illumination state immediately preceding a second of the plurality of illumination states, and wherein the first illumination state is different from an illumination state immediately following a third of the plurality of illumination states.

[0033] In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 includes microseconds.

[0034] In Example 7, the subject matter of Examples 1-6 includes an endoscope configured to support a sensor.

[0035] In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 7 includes a first optical path configured to convey the response illumination from a first end of the endoscope to a second end of the endoscope.

[0036] In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 includes an optical sensor configured to receive an illumination response from the first optical path.

[0037] In Example 10, the subject matter of Example 9 includes wherein the optical sensor includes a camera.

[0038] In Example 11, the subject matter of Examples 9-10 includes where the optical sensor includes a spectrometer.

[0039] In Example 12, the subject matter of Examples 1-11 includes where the multiple irradiation sources include more than two irradiation sources.

[0040] In Example 13, the subject matter of Examples 1-12 includes where the multiple irradiation sources include quantum dots.

[0041] Example 14 is a method for identifying a composition of an anatomical object, the method including emitting light from a plurality of illumination sources to illuminate an anatomical target and generate an illumination response, each illumination source configured to emit light having a range of frequencies centered at a different frequency than the other illumination sources; receiving the illumination response from the anatomical target with an optical sensor; providing an image representative of the anatomical target; and providing spectral intensity information of the illumination response in addition to the image.

[0042] In Example 15, the subject matter of Example 14 includes wherein emitting light from the multiple illumination sources includes temporally sequencing pulses of light from each of the multiple illumination sources to provide temporally sequenced pulses of light.

[0043] In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 includes acquiring one or more images of the anatomical target during each light pulse period of the temporally sequenced light pulses.

[0044] In Example 17, the subject matter of Example 16 includes synchronizing the step of temporally sequencing pulses of light from each of a plurality of illumination sources with the step of acquiring one or more images of an anatomical target.

[0045] In Example 18, the subject matter of Examples 15-17 includes microseconds.

[0046] In Example 19, the subject matter of Examples 15-18 includes microseconds.

[0047] In Example 20, the subject matter of Examples 15-19 includes where the multiple irradiation sources include quantum dots.

[0048] Example 21 is at least one machine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processing circuit, cause the processing circuit to perform operations to implement any of Examples 1-20.

[0049] Example 22 is an apparatus equipped with means for carrying out any one of Examples 1 to 20.

[0050] Example 23 is a system for carrying out any one of Examples 1 to 20.

[0051] Example 24 is a method for carrying out any of Examples 1-20.

[0052] The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, for illustration purposes, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as "examples." Such examples may include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Furthermore, the inventors also contemplate examples that use any combination or permutation of those elements (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof) or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof).

[0053] In the event of a conflict in usage between this document and any document incorporated by reference, the usage in this document takes precedence.

[0054] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used to include one or more than one, as is common in patent documents, independently of any other instance or use of the terms "at least one" or "one or more." In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to a non-exclusive logical or, so that "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B but not A," "A and B," unless otherwise specified. In this document, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Additionally, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-ended, i.e., systems, devices, articles, compositions, formulations, or processes that include elements in addition to those listed after such terms are still considered to be within the scope of the subject matter discussed. Moreover, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., as they may appear in the claims, are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0055] The above description is intended to be illustrative, not limiting. For example, the above examples (or one or more aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used by those skilled in the art upon review of the above description. The Abstract is provided to enable the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the present technical disclosure. The Abstract has been submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above detailed description, various features may be grouped together to simplify the disclosure. This should not be construed as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, the subject matter of the present invention may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. The following aspects are herein incorporated into the detailed description as examples or embodiments, and it is intended that each aspect stand alone as a separate embodiment, and that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 14 Controller 100 Composition Identification System 101 Lighting System 102 Imaging System 103 Irradiation source 104 Controller 105 Optical sensors, targets 106 Controller 107 Anatomical Goals 108 Communication Links 210 line 300 Systems 301 Lighting System 302 Imaging System 303 Irradiation source 305 Optical Sensor 306 Optical Sensor 307 Anatomical Goals 308 Communication Links 311 Medical Scope 312 Image Signal 313 Optical Path 314 Shaft 317 Channels 318 Proximal end 319 Distal end 320 System 323 Optical Path 400 Composition Identification System 401 Lighting System 403 Irradiation source 405 Optical Sensor 407 Anatomical Goals 408 Communication Links 411 Medical Scope 413 Optical Path 414 Shaft 415 Camera 416 Optical Path 417 Working Channel 418 Proximal end 419 Distal end 423 Optical Path 601 First Wavelength Plot 602 Second Wavelength Plot 603 Third Wavelength Plot 604 Fourth Wavelength Plot 605 5th Wavelength Plot 606 Full width at half maximum, FWHM 607 Full width at half maximum, FWHM

Claims

1. a sensor configured to receive responsive illumination from the anatomical target; an illumination device comprising a plurality of illumination sources for illuminating the anatomical target, each illumination source configured to emit light having a full width at half maximum centered at a frequency different from each of the other illumination sources; an imaging system configured to control each illumination source of the plurality of illumination sources to provide an image representative of the anatomical landmark and to provide spectral intensity information of the received illumination in addition to the image; A goal analysis system comprising:

2. The target analysis system of claim 1 , wherein the imaging system is configured to provide a spectral intensity signal of the received illumination in addition to the image.

3. 2. The target analysis system of claim 1, wherein the full width at half maximum of the light emitted by each illumination source does not overlap with the frequency range of the full width at half maximum of the light emitted by each other illumination source.

4. The target analysis system of claim 1 , wherein the imaging system includes a controller configured to modulate individual intensities of illumination sources of the plurality of illumination sources.

5. the controller is configured to periodically change the intensity state of the illumination device to achieve a temporal sequence of a plurality of illumination states; a first illumination state of the plurality of illumination states is different from a second illumination state immediately preceding the first illumination state of the plurality of illumination states; The target analysis system of claim 4 , wherein the first illumination condition is different from an illumination condition immediately following a third of the plurality of illumination conditions.

6. 6. The target analysis system of claim 5, wherein each illumination state of said temporal sequence of illumination states has a period of 1 microsecond or less.

7. The target analysis system of claim 1 , comprising an endoscope configured to support the sensor.

8. The target analysis system of claim 7 including a first optical path configured to convey the response illumination from a first end of the endoscope to a second end of the endoscope.

9. The target analysis system of claim 8 including an optical sensor configured to receive an illumination response from the first optical path.

10. The target analysis system of claim 9 , wherein the optical sensor comprises a camera.

11. The target analysis system of claim 9 , wherein the optical sensor comprises a spectrometer.

12. The target analysis system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of illumination sources comprises more than two illumination sources.

13. The target analysis system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of illumination sources includes a quantum dot, and the plurality of illumination sources includes a plurality of quantum dots.

14. 1. A method for identifying a composition of an anatomical object, comprising: emitting light from a plurality of illumination sources to illuminate an anatomical target and generate an illumination response, each illumination source being configured to emit light having a range of frequencies centered at a different frequency than the other illumination sources; receiving said illumination response from an anatomical target with an optical sensor; providing an image representative of the anatomical landmark; providing spectral intensity information of the illumination response in addition to the image; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of emitting light from the multiple illumination sources comprises the step of temporally sequencing pulses of light from each of the multiple illumination sources to provide temporally sequenced pulses of light.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, comprising acquiring one or more images of the anatomical landmark during each light pulse period of the temporally sequenced light pulses.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, comprising synchronizing the step of temporally sequencing pulses of light from each of the multiple illumination sources with the step of acquiring one or more images of the anatomical landmark.

18. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the time sequenced pulses of light comprise pulses of light less than 10 microseconds.

19. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the time sequenced pulses of light comprise pulses of light less than 2 microseconds.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the multiple illumination sources include quantum dots.

Images