Systems and methods for medical imaging

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system and method for medical imaging. The system may include multiple illumination sources. The multiple illumination sources may include at least two of: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser light sources configured to generate one or more laser light beams. The system may further include a movable plate with one or more cutouts. The movable plate may be (i) optically aligned with one or more of the multiple illumination sources and (ii) configured to move to (a) control exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate, and (b) generate one or more light pulses based on the controlled exposure of the one or more illumination sources.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application was filed on November 25, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 939,969, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0002] Medical imaging technology can be used to capture images or video data of internal anatomical features of a subject or patient during a medical or surgical procedure. The captured images or video data can be processed and manipulated to provide surgeons and medical operators with visualization of internal structures or processes within the patient or subject. Conventional medical imaging systems available today may use one or more dyes to help visualize internal processes, such as blood flow. Such systems may limit the time frame during which an operator can visualize changes in blood flow. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] Identified herein are various limitations associated with currently available medical imaging systems. The present disclosure provides systems and methods for addressing existing shortcomings or drawbacks of conventional medical imaging systems. The systems and methods disclosed herein can be used to enhance medical imaging by selectively controlling the exposure of multiple illumination sources through one or more cutouts in a movable plate and combining pulses of light from different multispectral illumination sources. Thus, the systems and methods disclosed herein can be implemented to visualize and digitally map anatomical structures within a patient in a three-dimensional (3D) perspective, in real time, and without the use of dye, thereby providing a medical operator with additional visual information (e.g., a real-time visual depiction of the patient's blood perfusion) that can inform or guide them during a surgical procedure.

[0004] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for illuminating a target region within a subject's body. The system may include a plurality of illumination sources comprising at least two of: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser light sources configured to generate one or more laser light beams; and a movable plate comprising one or more cutouts, (i) optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources and (ii) configured to move to (a) control exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate, and (b) generate one or more light pulses based on the controlled exposure of the one or more illumination sources.

[0005] In some embodiments, the movable plate may be configured to rotate relative to the one or more illumination sources along the optical axis. In some embodiments, the movable plate may comprise a low transmittance material configured to prevent transmission of light through one or more solid portions of the movable plate.

[0006] In some embodiments, the one or more cutouts may comprise a notch on the movable plate. In some embodiments, the one or more cutouts may comprise multiple notches arranged on different portions of the movable plate. In some embodiments, the one or more cutouts may comprise one or more annular-shaped openings on the movable plate.

[0007] In some embodiments, the one or more laser light sources may comprise two or more laser light sources configured to generate two or more laser light beams having different wavelengths. In some embodiments, the two or more laser light sources may comprise a gas laser, a chemical laser, a liquid laser, a dye laser, a metal vapor laser, a solid-state laser, or a semiconductor laser. In some embodiments, the two or more laser light sources may comprise an infrared laser, a near-infrared laser, a short-wavelength infrared laser, a mid-wavelength infrared laser, a long-wavelength infrared laser, or a far-infrared laser. In some embodiments, the two or more laser light sources may be configured to generate two or more laser light beams with wavelengths from about 700 nanometers (nm) to about 1 millimeter (mm).

[0008] In some embodiments, the movable plate may be optically aligned with one or more laser light sources. In some embodiments, the movable plate and the white light source may not share a common optical axis. In some embodiments, the white light source may be positioned relative to the movable plate such that the white light beam does not pass through the movable plate. In some embodiments, the white light beam from the white light source may be continuously transmitted without being affected by the movable plate or separated into pulses. In some embodiments, one or more light pulses may be obtained from one or more laser light beams.

[0009] In some embodiments, the system may further include a light-gathering module configured to (i) combine one or more light pulses obtained from (a) the one or more laser light beams with (b) the white light beam, (c) generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope. The scope may be insertable into a subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target area.

[0010] In some embodiments, the movable plate may be optically aligned with (i) a white light source and (ii) one or more laser light sources, hi some embodiments, the one or more light pulses may be obtained from (i) a white light beam and (ii) one or more laser light beams.

[0011] In some embodiments, the system may further include a light-gathering module configured to (i) combine one or more light pulses obtained from (a) the white light beam and (b) one or more light pulses obtained from the one or more laser light beams, (c) generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope. The scope may be insertable into a subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target area.

[0012] In some embodiments, the multiple illumination sources may further include (iii) an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source configured to generate an ICG excitation light beam. In some embodiments, the ICG excitation light source may be positioned relative to the movable plate such that the ICG excitation beam does not pass through the movable plate. In some embodiments, the movable plate may be optically aligned with (i) one or more laser light sources. In some embodiments, the movable plate and the white light source may not share a common optical axis. In some embodiments, the white light beam from the white light source may be continuously transmitted without being affected by the movable plate or separated into pulses. In some embodiments, the movable plate and the ICG excitation light source may not share a common optical axis. In some embodiments, the ICG excitation light beam from the ICG excitation light source may be continuously transmitted without being affected by the movable plate or separated into pulses. In some embodiments, the one or more light pulses may be obtained from either (i) one or more laser light beams.

[0013] In some embodiments, the system may further include a light-gathering module configured to (i) combine (a) one or more light pulses obtained from the one or more laser light beams with (b) at least one of a white light beam or an ICG excitation light beam, (c) generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope that may be insertable into a subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target area.

[0014] In some embodiments, the movable plate may be optically aligned with (i) one or more laser light sources and (ii) an ICG excitation light source. In some embodiments, the movable plate and the white light source may not share a common optical axis. In some embodiments, the white light beam from the white light source may be continuously transmitted without being affected by the movable plate or separated into pulses. In some embodiments, one or more light pulses may be obtained from (i) one or more laser light beams and (ii) an ICG excitation light beam.

[0015] In some embodiments, the system may further include a light-gathering module configured to (i) combine (a) one or more light pulses and an ICG excitation light beam obtained from the one or more laser light beams with (b) a white light beam, (c) generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope that may be insertable into a subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target area.

[0016] In some embodiments, the movable plate may be optically aligned with (i) one or more laser light sources and (ii) a white light source. In some embodiments, the movable plate and the ICG excitation light source may not share a common optical axis. In some embodiments, the ICG excitation light beam from the ICG excitation light source may be continuously transmitted without being affected by the movable plate or separated into pulses. In some embodiments, one or more light pulses may be obtained from (i) one or more laser light beams and (ii) a white light beam.

[0017] In some embodiments, the system may further include a light-gathering module configured to (i) combine (a) one or more light pulses and a white light beam obtained from the one or more laser light beams with (b) the ICG excitation light beam, (c) generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope that may be insertable into a subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target area.

[0018] In some embodiments, the movable plate may be optically aligned with (i) one or more laser light sources, (ii) a white light source, and (iii) an ICG excitation light source. In some embodiments, the one or more light pulses may be obtained from (i) one or more laser light beams, (ii) a white light beam, and (iii) an ICG excitation light beam.

[0019] In some embodiments, the system may further include a light-gathering module configured to (i) combine (a) one or more light pulses obtained from the one or more laser light beams and (b) one or more light pulses obtained from the white light beam and the ICG excitation light beam, (c) generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope that may be insertable into a subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target area.

[0020] In some embodiments, the one or more cutouts may correspond to one or more open areas disposed on the movable plate, hi some embodiments, the one or more open areas may be configured to allow transmission of light through the movable plate when the one or more cutouts are aligned with at least one of the plurality of illumination sources.

[0021] In some embodiments, the movable plate may be configured to control the exposure of one or more illumination sources by selectively allowing one or more light beams generated by the one or more illumination sources to pass through one or more cutouts in the movable plate for one or more predetermined time intervals.

[0022] In some embodiments, the one or more light beams may comprise one or more laser light beams, white light beams, or ICG excitation light beams.

[0023] In some embodiments, the one or more predetermined time intervals may be determined based on (i) the rotational speed of the movable plate and (ii) the cutout geometry associated with the one or more cutouts.

[0024] In some embodiments, at least one of the multiple illumination sources may be aligned with at least one of the one or more cutouts for a predetermined time interval.

[0025] In some embodiments, the one or more open areas may comprise one or more distinctly different open areas configured to provide one or more distinctly different exposure times for at least one of the multiple illumination sources while the movable plate rotates relative to the multiple illumination sources.

[0026] In some embodiments, the one or more open areas may comprise one or more annular-shaped openings disposed at one or more radial distances from the center of the movable plate, hi some embodiments, each of the one or more radial distances may correspond to at least one of the plurality of illumination sources.

[0027] In some embodiments, the one or more annular-shaped openings may be disposed at one or more distinct angular positions relative to one another, and in some embodiments, a first annular-shaped opening of the one or more annular-shaped openings may have a first circumferential length that is different from a second circumferential length of a second annular-shaped opening of the one or more annular-shaped openings.

[0028] In some embodiments, the one or more open areas may comprise one or more wedge-shaped openings with a circumferential width configured to provide a predetermined exposure time for each of the plurality of illumination sources. In some embodiments, the one or more wedge-shaped openings may be positioned at one or more distinct angular positions relative to one another. In some embodiments, a first wedge-shaped opening of the one or more wedge-shaped openings may have a first circumferential width that is different from a second circumferential width of a second wedge-shaped opening of the one or more wedge-shaped openings. In some embodiments, the one or more distinct open areas may comprise (i) a first open area configured to expose at least one of the plurality of illumination sources for a first predetermined time interval, and (ii) a second open area configured to expose at least one of the plurality of illumination sources for a second predetermined time interval. In some embodiments, the first open area may have a different geometric shape than the second open area.

[0029] In some embodiments, the movable plate may be configured to rotate at a predetermined rotational rate such that at least a subset of the plurality of illumination sources are exposed for one or more time intervals corresponding to an imaging period during which an imaging device is configured to obtain one or more image frames with a predetermined frame capture rate.

[0030] In some embodiments, the imaging device may comprise an image sensor or a camera.

[0031] In some embodiments, the system may further include an additional movable plate configured to rotate relative to the multiple illumination sources and the movable plate. In some embodiments, the additional movable plate may be configured to rotate at a second rate different from the first rate at which the movable plate is configured to rotate. In some embodiments, the additional movable plate may be configured to rotate in a second direction different from the first direction relative to which the movable plate is configured to rotate. In some embodiments, the movable plate may include a first set of cutouts with a different geometry or arrangement than a second set of cutouts on the additional movable plate.

[0032] In some embodiments, the scope may comprise a laparoscope, an endoscope, a borescope, a videoscope, or a fiberscope.

[0033] In some embodiments, the one or more light pulses may be provided to the light-aggregating module via one or more fiber optic bundles.

[0034] In some embodiments, the white light source may be provided in a separate illumination module that is located remotely from one or more of the multiple illumination sources.

[0035] In some embodiments, the synchronization of the exposure of one or more illumination sources through one or more cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate may be performed using a timing signal generated using one or more photointerrupters. In some embodiments, the synchronization of the exposure of one or more illumination sources through one or more cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate may be performed using a timing signal generated using an imaging device.

[0036] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for illuminating a target area of ​​a subject, the method including the steps of providing a plurality of illumination sources comprising: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more laser light sources configured to generate one or more laser light beams; and directing the one or more light beams generated by the plurality of illumination sources toward a movable plate comprising one or more cutouts, the movable plate (i) being optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources and (ii) (a) controlling exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate; and (b) controlling exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate. and providing the one or more light pulses to a light-gathering module configured to (i) combine one or more light pulses obtained from each of the one or more light beams generated by the plurality of illumination sources to generate a combined light beam; and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope, the scope being insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target area.

[0037] In some embodiments, the plurality of illumination sources may further comprise an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source configured to generate an ICG excitation light beam.

[0038] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for illuminating a target region of a subject's body. The system may include a plurality of illumination sources comprising at least two of: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser light sources configured to generate one or more laser light beams; and a movable plate comprising one or more cutouts, optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources, configured to (i) move relative to the one or more illumination sources, and (ii) control pulsing of the one or more illumination sources in synchronization with a predetermined frame capture rate.

[0039] In some embodiments, the movable plate may be configured to control the pulsing of one or more illumination sources by adjusting one or more time intervals during which each of the multiple illumination sources is optically aligned with one or more cutouts in the movable plate.

[0040] Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, in which only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described. As will be realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) 1. A system for illuminating a target area of ​​a subject's body, comprising: a plurality of illumination sources comprising at least two of: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser light sources configured to generate one or more laser light beams; a movable plate comprising one or more cutouts, the movable plate (i) optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources, and (ii) configured to move to (a) control exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate, and (b) generate one or more light pulses based on the controlled exposure of the one or more illumination sources; A system comprising: (Item 2) Item 10. The system of item 1, wherein the movable plate is configured to rotate relative to the one or more illumination sources. (Item 3) Item 10. The system of item 1, wherein the one or more cutouts comprise notches on the movable plate. (Item 4) Item 10. The system of item 1, wherein the one or more cutouts comprise a plurality of notches arranged on different portions of the movable plate. (Item 5) Item 1, wherein the one or more cutouts comprise one or more annular-shaped openings on the movable plate. (Item 6) Item 10. The system of item 1, wherein the movable plate comprises a low transmittance material configured to prevent transmission of light through one or more solid portions of the movable plate. (Item 7) Item 1, wherein the one or more laser light sources comprise two or more laser light sources configured to generate two or more laser light beams having different wavelengths. (Item 8) 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the two or more laser light sources comprise a gas laser, a chemical laser, a liquid laser, a dye laser, a metal vapor laser, a solid-state laser, or a semiconductor laser. (Item 9) Item 8. The system of item 7, wherein the two or more laser light sources comprise an infrared laser, a near-infrared laser, a short-wavelength infrared laser, a mid-wavelength infrared laser, a long-wavelength infrared laser, or a far-infrared laser. (Item 10) Item 8. The system of item 7, wherein the two or more laser light sources are configured to generate two or more laser light beams with wavelengths of about 700 nanometers (nm) to about 1 millimeter (mm). (Item 11) Item 10. The system of item 1, wherein the movable plate is optically aligned with the one or more laser light sources. (Item 12) Item 12. The system of item 11, wherein the movable plate and the white light source do not share a common optical axis. (Item 13) Item 12. The system of item 11, wherein the white light source is positioned relative to the movable plate such that the white light beam does not pass through the movable plate. (Item 14) Item 12. The system of item 11, wherein the white light beam from the white light source is transmitted continuously, unaffected by the movable plate, or separated into pulses. (Item 15) Item 12. The system of item 11, wherein the one or more light pulses are obtained from the one or more laser light beams. (Item 16) an optical concentrating module configured to (i) combine (a) the one or more light pulses obtained from the one or more laser light beams with (b) the white light beam, and (c) generate a combined light beam; and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto the target area. Item 16. The system of item 15, further comprising: (Item 17) Item 10. The system of item 1, wherein the movable plate is optically aligned with (i) the white light source and (ii) the one or more laser light sources. (Item 18) Item 18. The system of item 17, wherein the one or more light pulses are obtained from (i) the white light beam and (ii) the one or more laser light beams. (Item 19) an optical concentrating module configured to (i) combine (a) the one or more optical pulses obtained from the white light beam and (b) the one or more optical pulses obtained from the one or more laser light beams, and (c) generate a combined optical beam; and (ii) provide the combined optical beam to a scope insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined optical beam onto the target area. Item 19. The system of item 18, further comprising: (Item 20) Item 1, wherein the plurality of illumination sources further comprises: (iii) an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source configured to generate an ICG excitation light beam. (Item 21) 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the ICG excitation light source is positioned relative to the movable plate such that the ICG excitation beam does not pass through the movable plate. (Item 22) 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the movable plate is (i) optically aligned with the one or more laser light sources. (Item 23) Item 23. The system of item 22, wherein the movable plate and the white light source do not share a common optical axis. (Item 24) Item 23. The system of item 22, wherein the white light beam from the white light source is transmitted continuously, unaffected by the movable plate, or undivided into pulses. (Item 25) 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the movable plate and the ICG excitation light source do not share a common optical axis. (Item 26) 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the ICG excitation light beam from the ICG excitation light source is transmitted continuously without being affected by the movable plate or separated into pulses. (Item 27) 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the one or more light pulses are obtained from (i) the one or more laser light beams. (Item 28) an optical-concentrating module configured to (i) combine (a) the one or more light pulses obtained from the one or more laser light beams with (b) at least one of the white light beam or the ICG excitation light beam, and (c) generate a combined light beam; and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto the target area. Item 28. The system of item 27, further comprising: (Item 29) 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the movable plate is optically aligned with (i) the one or more laser light sources and (ii) the ICG excitation light source. (Item 30) 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the movable plate and the white light source do not share a common optical axis. (Item 31) 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the white light beam from the white light source is transmitted continuously, unaffected by the movable plate, or unsplit into pulses. (Item 32) 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the one or more light pulses are obtained from (i) the one or more laser light beams and (ii) the ICG excitation light beam. (Item 33) an optical-concentrating module configured to (i) combine (a) the one or more light pulses obtained from the one or more laser light beams and the ICG excitation light beam with (b) the white light beam, and (c) generate a combined light beam; and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto the target area. Item 33. The system of item 32, further comprising: (Item 34) 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the movable plate is optically aligned with (i) the one or more laser light sources and (ii) the white light source. (Item 35) Item 35. The system of item 34, wherein the movable plate and the ICG excitation light source do not share a common optical axis. (Item 36) Item 35. The system of item 34, wherein the ICG excitation light beam from the ICG excitation light source is transmitted continuously without being affected by the movable plate or separated into pulses. (Item 37) Item 35. The system of item 34, wherein the one or more light pulses are obtained from (i) the one or more laser light beams and (ii) the white light beam. (Item 38) an optical-concentrating module configured to (i) combine (a) the one or more light pulses and the white light beam obtained from the one or more laser light beams with (b) the ICG excitation light beam, and (c) generate a combined light beam; and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto the target area. Item 38. The system of item 37, further comprising: (Item 39) 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the movable plate is optically aligned with (i) the one or more laser light sources, (ii) the white light source, and (iii) the ICG excitation light source. (Item 40) 40. The system of claim 39, wherein the one or more light pulses are obtained from (i) the one or more laser light beams, (ii) the white light beam, and (iii) the ICG excitation light beam. (Item 41) an optical-concentrating module configured to (i) combine (a) the one or more light pulses obtained from the one or more laser light beams and (b) the one or more light pulses obtained from the white light beam and the ICG excitation light beam, and (c) generate a combined light beam; and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto the target area. Item 41. The system of item 40, further comprising: (Item 42) Item 10. The system of item 1, wherein the one or more cutouts correspond to one or more open areas disposed on the movable plate, the one or more open areas configured to allow transmission of light through the movable plate when the one or more cutouts are aligned with at least one of the plurality of illumination sources. (Item 43) 21. The system of claim 1 or 20, wherein the movable plate is configured to control exposure of the one or more illumination sources by selectively allowing one or more light beams generated by the one or more illumination sources to pass through the one or more cutouts in the movable plate for one or more predetermined time intervals. (Item 44) Item 44. The system of item 43, wherein the one or more light beams comprise the one or more laser light beams, the white light beam, or the ICG excitation light beam. (Item 45) Item 44. The system of item 43, wherein the one or more predetermined time intervals are determined based on (i) a rotational speed of the movable plate and (ii) a cutout geometry associated with the one or more cutouts. (Item 46) Item 44. The system of item 43, wherein at least one of the plurality of illumination sources is aligned with at least one of the one or more cutouts for the predetermined time interval. (Item 47) Item 43. The system of item 42, wherein the one or more open areas comprise one or more distinct open areas configured to provide one or more distinct exposure times for at least one of the plurality of illumination sources while the movable plate rotates relative to the plurality of illumination sources. (Item 48) Item 43. The system of item 42, wherein the one or more open areas comprise one or more annular-shaped openings positioned at one or more radial distances from a center of the movable plate, each of the one or more radial distances corresponding to at least one of the plurality of illumination sources. (Item 49) Item 49. The system of item 48, wherein the one or more annular-shaped openings are disposed at one or more distinct angular positions relative to one another. (Item 50) Item 49. The system of item 48, wherein a first annular-shaped opening of the one or more annular-shaped openings has a first circumferential length that is different from a second circumferential length of a second annular-shaped opening of the one or more annular-shaped openings. (Item 51) Item 43. The system of item 42, wherein the one or more open areas comprise one or more wedge-shaped openings with circumferential widths configured to provide a predetermined exposure time for each of the plurality of illumination sources. (Item 52) Item 52. The system of item 51, wherein the one or more wedge-shaped openings are positioned at one or more distinct angular positions relative to one another. (Item 53) Item 52. The system of item 51, wherein a first wedge-shaped opening of the one or more wedge-shaped openings has a first circumferential width that is different from a second circumferential width of a second wedge-shaped opening of the one or more wedge-shaped openings. (Item 54) Item 48. The system of item 47, wherein the one or more distinct open areas comprise: (i) a first open area configured to expose at least one of the plurality of illumination sources for a first predetermined time interval; and (ii) a second open area configured to expose at least one of the plurality of illumination sources for a second predetermined time interval. (Item 55) Item 55. The system of item 54, wherein the first open area has a different geometric shape than the second open area. (Item 56) 21. The system of claim 1 or 20, wherein the movable plate is configured to rotate at a predetermined rotation rate such that at least a subset of the plurality of illumination sources are exposed for one or more time intervals corresponding to an imaging period during which an imaging device with the predetermined frame capture rate is configured to obtain one or more image frames. (Item 57) Item 57. The system of item 56, wherein the imaging device comprises an image sensor or camera. (Item 58) Item 10. The system of item 1, further comprising an additional movable plate configured to rotate relative to the plurality of illumination sources and the movable plate. (Item 59) Item 59. The system of item 58, wherein the additional movable plate is configured to rotate at a second rate that is different from the first rate at which the movable plate is configured to rotate. (Item 60) Item 59. The system of item 58, wherein the additional movable plate is configured to rotate in a second direction different from the first direction in which the movable plate is configured to rotate. (Item 61) Item 59. The system of item 58, wherein the movable plate comprises a first set of cutouts with a different geometry or arrangement than a second set of cutouts on the additional movable plate. (Item 62) Item 10. The system of item 1, wherein the scope comprises a laparoscope, endoscope, borescope, videoscope, or fiberscope. (Item 63) 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more optical pulses are provided to the optical aggregation module via one or more optical fiber bundles. (Item 64) 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the white light source is provided in a separate lighting module located remotely from one or more of the plurality of lighting sources. (Item 65) 10. The system of claim 1, wherein synchronization of exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cutouts to the predetermined frame capture rate is performed using a timing signal generated using one or more photointerrupters. (Item 66) 10. The system of claim 1, wherein synchronization of exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cutouts to the predetermined frame capture rate is performed using a timing signal generated using an imaging device. (Item 67) 1. A method for illuminating a target area of ​​an object, the method comprising: providing a plurality of illumination sources, the plurality of illumination sources comprising: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more laser light sources configured to generate one or more laser light beams; directing one or more light beams generated by the plurality of illumination sources toward a movable plate comprising one or more cutouts, the movable plate (i) being optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources and (ii) being configured to move to (a) control exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate, and (b) generate one or more light pulses based on the controlled exposure of the one or more illumination sources; providing the one or more light pulses to a light-concentrating module configured to (i) combine the one or more light pulses obtained from each of the one or more light beams generated by the plurality of illumination sources to generate a combined light beam; and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope, the scope being insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto the target area; A method comprising: (Item 68) Item 68. The method of item 67, wherein the plurality of illumination sources further comprises an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source configured to generate an ICG excitation light beam. (Item 69) 1. A system for illuminating a target area of ​​a subject's body, the system comprising: a plurality of illumination sources comprising at least two of: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser light sources configured to generate one or more laser light beams; a movable plate comprising one or more cutouts, the movable plate being optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources and configured to (i) move relative to the one or more illumination sources and (ii) control pulsing of the one or more illumination sources in synchronization with a predetermined frame capture rate; A system comprising: (Item 70) 70. The system of claim 69, wherein the movable plate is configured to control the pulsing of the one or more illumination sources by adjusting one or more time intervals during which each of the plurality of illumination sources is optically aligned with the one or more cutouts in the movable plate. (Incorporated by reference)

[0041] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. To the extent that the publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference conflict with the disclosure contained herein, the present specification is intended to supersede and / or precede any such conflicting material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] The novel features of the present disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings (also herein "Figure" and "FIG.") that set forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the disclosure are utilized.

[0043] [Figure 1A] 1A and 1B diagrammatically illustrate multiple illumination sources, according to some embodiments. [Figure 1B] 1A and 1B diagrammatically illustrate multiple illumination sources, according to some embodiments.

[0044] [Figure 2A] 2A and 2B diagrammatically illustrate a movable plate, according to some embodiments. [Figure 2B] 2A and 2B diagrammatically illustrate a movable plate, according to some embodiments.

[0045] [Figure 2C] 2C, 2D, and 2E diagrammatically illustrate a moving plate and an additional moving plate, according to some embodiments. [Figure 2D] 2C, 2D, and 2E diagrammatically illustrate a moving plate and an additional moving plate, according to some embodiments. [Figure 2E]2C, 2D, and 2E diagrammatically illustrate a moving plate and an additional moving plate, according to some embodiments.

[0046] [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A schematically illustrates a system for illuminating a target area within a subject's body, according to some embodiments.

[0047] [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B schematically illustrates a fiber bundle for concentrating optical pulses, according to some embodiments.

[0048] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a medical imaging system configured to generate images of a target area illuminated by multiple illumination sources, according to some embodiments.

[0049] [Figure 5A] 5A and 5B diagrammatically illustrate a movable plate configured to control the exposure of one or more laser light sources, according to some embodiments. [Figure 5B] 5A and 5B diagrammatically illustrate a movable plate configured to control the exposure of one or more laser light sources, according to some embodiments.

[0050] [Figure 6A] 6A and 6B diagrammatically illustrate exposure of one or more laser light sources optically aligned with a moving plate, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6B] 6A and 6B diagrammatically illustrate exposure of one or more laser light sources optically aligned with a moving plate, according to some embodiments.

[0051] [Figure 7A]7A and 7B schematically illustrate an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source that is not optically aligned with the moving plate, according to some embodiments. [Figure 7B] 7A and 7B schematically illustrate an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source that is not optically aligned with the moving plate, according to some embodiments.

[0052] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates exposure of one or more laser light sources and an ICG excitation light source that are not optically aligned with a moving plate, according to some embodiments.

[0053] [Figure 9A] 9A and 9B schematically illustrate a movable plate configured to control the exposure of an ICG excitation light source and one or more laser light sources, according to some embodiments. [Figure 9B] 9A and 9B schematically illustrate a movable plate configured to control the exposure of an ICG excitation light source and one or more laser light sources, according to some embodiments.

[0054] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates exposure of one or more laser light sources and an ICG excitation light source optically aligned with a moving plate, according to some embodiments.

[0055] [Figure 11A] 11A and 11B diagrammatically illustrate a movable plate configured to control exposure of a white light source and one or more laser light sources, according to some embodiments. [Figure 11B] 11A and 11B diagrammatically illustrate a movable plate configured to control exposure of a white light source and one or more laser light sources, according to some embodiments.

[0056] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a light-concentrating module configured to combine one or more light beams generated by a white light source and a laser light source, according to some embodiments.

[0057] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a method for illuminating a target area within a subject's body, according to some embodiments.

[0058] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary computer node that may be used in connection with the medical imaging systems disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] Detailed Description While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be employed.

[0060] Whenever the terms "at least," "greater than," or "greater than or equal to" precede the first number in a series of two or more numbers, the terms "at least," "greater than," or "greater than or equal to" apply to each and every number in the series. For example, greater than or equal to 1, 2, or 3 is equivalent to greater than or equal to 1, greater than or equal to 2, or greater than or equal to 3.

[0061] Whenever the term "less than or equal to," "below," or "less than or equal to" precedes the first number in a series of two or more numbers, the term "less than or equal to," "below," or "less than or equal to" applies to each and every number in the series. For example, less than or equal to 3, 2, or 1 is equivalent to less than or equal to 3, less than or equal to 2, or less than or equal to 1.

[0062] The term "perfusion" as used herein generally refers to the passage of fluid to an organ or tissue through the circulatory or lymphatic system. In certain examples, perfusion may refer to the delivery of blood at the level of the arteries or capillaries, where exchange of oxygen and / or nutrients between blood and tissue occurs. In some cases, perfusion may comprise the fluid flow rate, the volume of fluid present or traversing the target tissue site, the pattern of fluid flow channels at the target tissue site, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the perfusion of a fluid of interest may increase, decrease, or remain substantially the same during one or more imaging processes. In some cases, any change in the flow rate or volume of perfusion fluid may indicate (i) one or more biological events or (ii) one or more surgical events occurring upstream, downstream, or substantially at the target tissue site. When quantified, perfusion is measured in cubic meters per second (m) per kilogram. 3 Perfusion may be measured as the rate at which blood is delivered to a tissue or the volume of blood (blood flow) per unit time per unit tissue mass, in units of millimeters per minute (mL / min / g) or millimeters per second per kg (mL / sec / kg). The degree of perfusion may be indicative of one or more health conditions, e.g., cardiovascular disease, such as coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, etc.

[0063] The terms "real-time" or "real-time," as used interchangeably herein, generally refer to an event (e.g., an operation, process, method, technique, calculation, computation, analysis, visualization, optimization, etc.) that is performed using recently obtained (e.g., collected or received) data. In some cases, a real-time event may be performed nearly instantly or within a sufficiently short period of time, such as within at least 0.0001 milliseconds (ms), 0.0005 ms, 0.001 ms, 0.005 ms, 0.01 ms, 0.05 ms, 0.1 ms, 0.5 ms, 1 ms, 5 ms, 0.01 s, 0.05 s, 0.1 s, 0.5 s, 1 s, or more. In some cases, a real-time event may occur nearly immediately or within a sufficiently short period of time, such as within up to 1 second, 0.5 seconds, 0.1 seconds, 0.05 seconds, 0.01 seconds, 5 ms, 1 ms, 0.5 ms, 0.1 ms, 0.05 ms, 0.01 ms, 0.005 ms, 0.001 ms, 0.0005 ms, 0.0001 ms, or fewer seconds.

[0064] The present disclosure provides systems and methods for improving medical imaging techniques. While conventional medical imaging systems available today may use one or more dyes to help visualize internal processes such as blood flow, such systems may limit the time frame during which an operator can visualize changes in a patient's blood flow. The systems and methods disclosed herein may be used to improve medical imaging by selectively controlling the exposure of multiple illumination sources through one or more cutouts on a moving plate and combining pulses of light from different multispectral illumination sources. Thus, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be implemented to visualize and digitally map anatomical structures within a patient in a three-dimensional (3D) perspective, in real time and without the use of dyes, thereby providing a medical operator with additional visual information (e.g., a real-time visual depiction of a patient's blood perfusion) that can inform or guide them during a surgical procedure.

[0065] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for illuminating a target region within a subject's body. The system may include a plurality of illumination sources, the plurality of illumination sources comprising: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more laser light beams configured to generate one or more laser light sources; and a movable plate having one or more cutouts, the movable plate (i) optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources and (ii) configured to move to (a) control exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate; and (b) generate one or more light pulses based on the controlled exposure of the one or more illumination sources.

[0066] As used throughout this specification, controlling the exposure of multiple illumination sources may refer to controlling the pulsing of multiple illumination sources using a movable plate with one or more cutouts. Thus, controlling the exposure of multiple illumination sources may also be interchangeably referred to as controlling the pulsing of multiple illumination sources. Controlling the pulsing of multiple illumination sources may include adjusting one or more time intervals during which each of the multiple illumination sources is optically aligned with one or more cutouts in the movable plate.

[0067] A target region may be a region within a subject (e.g., a human, a child, an adult, a medical patient, a surgical patient, etc.) that can be illuminated by one or more illumination sources. A target region may be a region within the subject's body. In some cases, a target region may correspond to an organ of a subject, a vasculature of a subject, or any anatomical structure of a subject. In some cases, a target region may correspond to a portion of an organ, vasculature, or anatomical structure of a subject.

[0068] In some cases, the target area may be a region on a portion of the subject's body. The region may comprise a portion of the subject's epidermis, dermis, and / or subcutaneous tissue. In other cases, the target area may correspond to a wound located on the subject's body. The wound may be a burn wound. Alternatively, the target area may correspond to an incision site on the subject. In any of the embodiments described herein, the target area may correspond to a portion of the subject's body that receives blood flow. The target area may be an internal organ of the subject's body or an anatomical feature of the subject's body.

[0069] The systems and methods of the present disclosure may enable visualization of structures or features (e.g., blood flow) within, near, and / or beneath the surface of a target region that would normally be invisible to the human eye or other scope assembly. The systems and methods of the present disclosure may enable visualization of one or more anatomical structures and / or physiological features or functions. The systems and methods of the present disclosure may be used for physiological, pathological, morphological, and / or anatomical visualization of various structures, features, and / or functions within a subject's body. The systems and methods of the present disclosure may be used to visualize one or more invisible features within a target region. The systems and methods of the present disclosure may enable multiple different imaging modalities. For example, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may enable laser speckle imaging capabilities as well as dye-based imaging and / or white light-based imaging (i.e., RGB photographic images and / or video). In some cases, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may allow a user to switch between different visualization modes, for example, (i) white-light-based video only, (ii) laser speckle imaging only, (iii) dye-based imaging, (iv) both white-light-based imaging and laser speckle imaging, or (v) any combination thereof.

[0070] The multiple illumination sources may include a white light source. The white light source may include a lamp (e.g., an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a compact fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, a fluorescent tube, a neon lamp, a high-intensity discharge lamp, or a low-pressure sodium lamp), a light bulb (e.g., an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a compact fluorescent lamp, or a halogen lamp), and / or a light-emitting diode (LED). The white light source may be configured to generate a white light beam. The white light beam may be a polychromatic emission of light comprising one or more wavelengths of light. The one or more wavelengths of light may correspond to the visible spectrum of light. The one or more wavelengths of light may have a wavelength of about 400 nanometers (nm) to about 700 nanometers (nm). In some cases, the white light beam may be used to generate an RGB image of a target area of ​​interest.

[0071] The multiple illumination sources may comprise one or more laser light sources. In some cases, the one or more laser light sources may comprise an infrared (IR) laser, a near-infrared laser, a short-wavelength infrared laser, a mid-wavelength infrared laser, a long-wavelength infrared laser, and / or a far-infrared laser.

[0072] As described elsewhere herein, one or more laser light sources may be configured to generate one or more laser light beams. In such cases, one or more laser light sources may be configured to operate as continuous wave lasers. A continuous wave (CW) laser may be a laser configured to produce a continuous, uninterrupted beam of light with stable output power. Continuous wave (CW) operation of a laser means that the laser can be continuously pumped and continuously emit pulses of light and / or energy. Emission can occur in a single cavity mode (i.e., single frequency operation) or multiple cavity modes. In some cases, the laser may be configured to operate as a quasi-continuous wave laser, in which case the laser may be switched on only for limited time intervals.

[0073] The one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser light sources may be configured to generate one or more laser light beams with wavelengths from about 700 nanometers (nm) to about 1 millimeter (mm). In some cases, the one or more laser light beams may be generated using one or more visible light laser diodes and / or one or more infrared laser diodes. In such cases, the one or more laser light beams may have a wavelength from about 350 nanometers to about 2.5 micrometers (μm). For example, the one or more laser light beams may have a wavelength of at least about 350 nm, 400 nm, 450 nm, 500 nm, 550 nm, 600 nm, 650 nm, 700 nm, 750 nm, 800 nm, 850 nm, 900 nm, 950 nm, 1000 nm, 1.1 μm, 1.2 μm, 1.3 μm, 1.4 μm, 1.5 μm, 1.6 μm, 1.7 μm, 1.8 μm, 1.9 μm, 2 μm, 2.1 μm, 2.2 μm, 2.3 μm, 2.4 μm, 2.5 μm, or more.

[0074] In some cases, the one or more laser light sources may comprise two or more laser light sources configured to generate two or more laser light beams having different wavelengths. The two or more laser light beams may have wavelengths from about 700 nanometers (nm) to about 1 millimeter (mm).

[0075] As described above, the multiple illumination sources may comprise one or more laser light sources. In some cases, the one or more laser light sources may comprise solid-state lasers, gas lasers, liquid lasers, and / or semiconductor lasers.

[0076] In some cases, the one or more laser light sources may comprise solid-state lasers. A solid-state laser may be a laser that uses a solid material (e.g., a glass or crystalline material) as a laser medium. Solid-state lasers include ruby ​​lasers, Nd:YAG lasers, NdCrYAG lasers, Er:YAG lasers, neodymium YLF (Nd:YLF) solid-state lasers, neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate (Nd:YVO4) lasers, neodymium-doped yttrium calcium oxyborate Nd:YCa4O(BO3)3 (Nd:YCOB) lasers, neodymium-glass (Nd:glass) lasers, titanium sapphire (Ti:sapphire) lasers, thulium YAG (Tm:YAG) lasers, ytterbium YAG (Yb:YAG) lasers, ytterbium:2O3 (glass or ceramic) lasers, ytterbium-doped glass lasers (rod, plate, etc.). The laser may be a laser diode (e.g., a laser diode / chip, and fiber), a holmium YAG (Ho:YAG) laser, a chromium ZnSe (Cr:ZnSe) laser, a cerium-doped lithium strontium (or calcium) aluminum fluoride (Ce:LiSAF, Ce:LiCAF) laser, a promethium-147-doped phosphate glass solid-state laser, a chromium-doped chrysoberyl (alexandrite) laser, an erbium-doped laser, an erbium-ytterbium co-doped glass laser, a trivalent uranium-doped calcium fluoride (U:CaF) solid-state laser, a divalent samarium-doped calcium fluoride (Sm:CaF) laser, and / or an F-center laser.

[0077] In some cases, the one or more laser light sources may comprise a gas laser. A gas laser may be a laser in which an electrical current is discharged through a gas inside a laser medium to produce laser light. The gas laser may be an argon laser, a carbon dioxide laser, a carbon monoxide laser, an excimer laser, a helium laser, a helium-neon laser, a krypton laser, a nitrogen laser, or a xenon laser.

[0078] In some cases, one or more laser sources may comprise a liquid laser, which may be a laser that uses a liquid as a laser medium.

[0079] In some cases, one or more laser light sources may comprise a dye laser. Dye lasers may use different organic dyes to produce emissions in the ultraviolet to near-infrared spectrum. Dye lasers may operate in the visible range with tunable emission of red, yellow, green, or blue laser emissions at nearly any wavelength. Dye lasers may use rhodamine-6G in solution.

[0080] In some cases, the one or more laser light sources may comprise a semiconductor laser. The semiconductor laser may be a laser that uses a pn junction of a semiconductor diode as a lasing medium. The semiconductor laser may be a semiconductor laser diode, a GaN laser, an InGaN laser, AlGaInP, AlGaAs, InGaAsP, a lead salt laser, a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), a quantum cascade laser, and / or a hybrid silicon laser.

[0081] In some cases, one or more laser light sources may comprise a chemical laser. The chemical laser may include a hydrogen fluoride laser, a deuterium fluoride laser, a chemical oxygen-iodine laser, or an all-gas phase iodine laser. In other cases, the laser may be a metal vapor laser. The metal vapor laser may be a helium-cadmium (HeCd) metal vapor laser, a helium-mercury (HeHg) metal vapor laser, a helium-selenium (HeSe) metal vapor laser, a helium-silver (HeAg) metal vapor laser, a strontium vapor laser, a neon-copper (NeCu) metal vapor laser, a copper vapor laser, a gold vapor laser, and / or a manganese (Mn / MnCl) vapor laser. Alternatively, the laser may be a free electron laser, a gas dynamic laser, a samarium laser, a Raman laser, and / or a nuclear pumped laser.

[0082] In some cases, one or more laser light sources may comprise an excimer laser. Excimer lasers may use reactive gases such as chlorine and fluorine mixed with an inert gas such as argon, krypton, or xenon. When electrically stimulated, the reactive gases can produce pseudomolecules or dimers. When exposed to a laser, the dimers can produce light in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[0083] In some cases, one or more laser light sources may be used to illuminate a target region located inside a subject's body. Optionally, in other cases, one or more laser light sources may be used to perform one or more surgical procedures (e.g., tissue heating, tissue removal, and / or tissue ablation). The one or more laser light sources used to illuminate a target region within a subject's body may or may not be different from the one or more laser light sources used to perform one or more surgical procedures on a subject or patient. In some cases, the one or more laser light sources may be configured to operate in a first state or a second state. The first state may be configured for the laser light source to illuminate a target region. The second state may be configured for the laser light source to perform one or more surgical procedures.

[0084] In some cases, each of the multiple illumination sources may be arranged in a side-by-side or side-by-side configuration. In such cases, each of the multiple illumination sources may be separated by a separation distance. The separation distance may be at least about 1 millimeter (mm), 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, or more. In some cases, each of the multiple illumination sources may be separated by one or more distinct separation distances.

[0085] In some cases, each of the multiple illumination sources may be oriented such that the multiple illumination sources generate one or more parallel beams of light. The one or more parallel beams of light may comprise a white light beam generated by a white light source or one or more laser light beams generated by one or more laser light sources. The one or more parallel beams of light may be directed along a path that is perpendicular to a plane corresponding to the position and / or orientation of the movable plate. In some cases, the one or more parallel beams of light may be directed along a path that intersects a plane corresponding to the position and / or orientation of the movable plate at an angle between 0 degrees and 180 degrees.

[0086] In some cases, each of the multiple illumination sources may be oriented such that the multiple illumination sources generate one or more non-collimated light beams. In such cases, the non-collimated light beams may intersect a plane corresponding to the position and / or orientation of the movable plate at one or more distinct angles. The one or more distinct angles may be in the range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees.

[0087] In other cases, the multiple illumination sources may each be arranged in a circular or ring configuration. In such cases, the multiple illumination sources may each be positioned around a central point at one or more radial distances. The multiple illumination sources may be distributed around the central point at one or more angular intervals. The one or more angular intervals may or may not be the same.

[0088] In any of the embodiments described herein, the multiple illumination sources may be arranged such that each of the multiple illumination sources is positioned the same distance from the movable plate. In some cases, the multiple illumination sources may be arranged such that each of the multiple illumination sources is positioned one or more distinct distances from a surface or edge of the movable plate.

[0089] In any of the embodiments described herein, the multiple illumination sources may be positioned and / or oriented such that one or more light beams generated by the multiple illumination sources are directed toward the movable plate along one or more directivity vectors. The one or more directivity vectors may intersect a surface or edge of the movable plate at one or more angles. The one or more angles may or may not be distinct. The one or more angles may range from 0 degrees to 360 degrees.

[0090] In any of the embodiments described herein, multiple illumination sources may be mounted on a structural component of the lighting module that comprises the multiple illumination sources. The structural component may comprise a wall, plate, beam, rod, or any edge or surface that is internal or external to the lighting module. In some cases, the structural component may be configured to rotate relative to the movable plate.

[0091] In some cases, the white light source may be located remotely relative to one or more illumination sources of the multiple illumination sources (e.g., one or more laser light sources or ICG excitation light sources, as described elsewhere herein). In such cases, the white light source may be a third-party light source. The white light source may be configured to generate a white light beam and direct the white light beam to an illumination module comprising one or more laser light sources. The white light beam may be directed toward the illumination module via one or more fiber bundles. The illumination module may then direct the white light beam toward the light-concentrating module. Separating the white light source from the one or more laser light sources may enable the systems disclosed herein to operate with one or more third-party white light sources. Such a configuration may also reduce the amount of heat generated by the multiple illumination sources and decrease temperature fluctuations while one or more light sources are operating in an on state (i.e., when one or more light sources are on and generating one or more light beams). Thus, one or more light beams generated by the multiple illumination sources may be stabilized, thereby reducing variations in wavelength and coherence. Furthermore, separation of the white light source from the one or more laser light sources may minimize the footprint of the illumination module.

[0092] In some cases, the lighting module may include one or more thermoelectric coolers. The thermoelectric coolers may be configured to cool one or more light sources such that temperature fluctuations may be reduced during operation. As explained above, reducing temperature fluctuations may also reduce fluctuations in the wavelength and / or coherence of one or more light beams generated by the lighting source.

[0093] In some cases, the multiple illumination sources may include an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source. The ICG excitation light source may be configured to generate an ICG excitation light beam. The ICG excitation light beam may cause a fluorescent dye (e.g., indocyanine green) to fluoresce (i.e., emit light). The ICG excitation light beam may have a wavelength of about 600 nanometers (nm) to about 900 nanometers (nm). The ICG excitation light beam may be emitted onto a target region within the subject's body. The target region may include one or more fluorescent dyes configured to absorb the ICG excitation light beam and re-emit fluorescence with a wavelength of about 750 nanometers (nm) to 950 nanometers (nm). In some cases, the one or more fluorescent dyes may be configured to absorb the ICG excitation light beam and re-emit fluorescence with a wavelength of about 700 nanometers to 2.5 micrometers (μm). In some cases, the ICG excitation light source may be positioned relative to the movable plate such that the ICG excitation beam does not pass through the movable plate. In other cases, the ICG excitation light source may be positioned relative to the movable plate such that the ICG excitation beam passes through the movable plate.

[0094] 1A-1B illustrate multiple illumination sources 110 that may be used to illuminate a target area. The multiple illumination sources may include a white light source 111, one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4, and / or an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source 113. The multiple illumination sources 110 may be configured to generate one or more light beams 210. The one or more light beams 210 may include a white light beam 211, one or more laser light beams 212, and / or an ICG excitation light beam 213. The one or more light beams 210 may be directed toward the movable plate 120. As shown in FIG. 1B, in some cases, the white light source 111 may be located remotely from the illumination module that includes the one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, 112-4.

[0095] In some cases, the one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser light sources may comprise two or more LEDs or laser light sources configured to generate two or more laser light beams having different wavelengths. In some cases, the two or more laser light sources may be configured to generate two or more laser light beams with wavelengths of about 700 nanometers (nm) to about 1 millimeter (mm). In other cases, the two or more laser light sources may comprise two or more visible light diodes. In such cases, the two or more visible light diodes may be configured to generate two or more laser light beams with wavelengths of about 350 nanometers to about 750 nanometers. In some cases, the two or more laser light beams may have wavelengths of about 400 nanometers to about 700 nanometers.

[0096] In some cases, the one or more illumination sources may be configured to generate one or more light pulses. The one or more illumination sources may be configured to generate the one or more light pulses using pulse width modulation or pulse duration modulation. The light pulse may be a burst or release of light, energy, and / or electrical current. The light pulse may be in the form of an electromagnetic wave. The one or more light pulses may be spaced apart by a predetermined time interval. The one or more light pulses may have a pulse duration. The pulse duration may range from about 1 microsecond to about 100 milliseconds.

[0097] In other cases, the multiple illumination sources may each be configured to generate one or more continuous light beams. The one or more continuous light beams may be continuous wave (i.e., continuous, uninterrupted beams of light with stable output power). In such cases, the movable plate may be configured to control the exposure of each of the multiple illumination sources, thereby generating one or more light pulses based on the controlled exposure of the one or more illumination sources.

[0098] The multiple illumination sources may be configured to generate one or more light beams, which may be directed toward the movable plate. The movable plate as described herein may also be interchangeably referred to as an optical chopper. The movable plate may be a solid object comprising a low-transmittance material configured to prevent the transmission of light through one or more solid portions of the movable plate. The low-transmittance material may comprise a dark coating configured to prevent the transmission of light through one or more solid portions of the movable plate. In some cases, the dark coating may be configured to reduce the radiant power and / or radiant energy of one or more light beams directed toward the movable plate by a predetermined amount. In some cases, the predetermined amount may correspond to a reduction in radiant power and / or radiant energy of at least about 50% or more. The low-transmittance material may be sprayed, printed, coated, and / or physically applied onto the surface or edge of the movable plate. The movable plate may be in the form of a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, or any polygon with at least three or more sides. The movable plate may have a horizontal cross-section. The horizontal cross-section may be in the form of a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, or any combination of those shapes. The movable plate may have a vertical cross-section. The vertical cross-section may be in the form of a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, or any combination of those shapes.

[0099] The movable plate may have one or more dimensions (e.g., height, length, width, and thickness), and the one or more dimensions may be at least about 1 millimeter (mm), 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 10 centimeters (cm), 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, or more.

[0100] The movable plate may include one or more cutouts. The one or more cutouts may correspond to one or more open areas disposed on the movable plate. The one or more open areas may be configured to allow transmission of light through the movable plate when the one or more cutouts are optically aligned with at least one of the multiple illumination sources. In some cases, the one or more open areas may include one or more distinct open areas configured to provide one or more distinct exposure times for at least one of the multiple illumination sources while the movable plate moves (e.g., rotates and / or translates) relative to the multiple illumination sources. The one or more distinct open areas may have one or more distinct shapes or geometries. The one or more distinct open areas may be disposed on different portions of the movable plate.

[0101] In some cases, one or more cutouts may comprise a notch on the movable plate. FIG. 2A illustrates movable plate 120 comprising notch 122. Notch 122 may be an indentation or incision on an edge or surface of movable plate 120. Notch 122 may be in the form of a triangle, a wedge, or a circular arc (i.e., a portion of a disk enclosed by two radii and an arc). Notch 122 may span a portion of the length, width, height, or circumference of the movable plate. Notch 122 may span an angular range greater than 0 degrees and less than 360 degrees. In some cases, one or more cutouts in movable plate 120 may comprise multiple notches 122 arranged on different portions or sections of movable plate 120.

[0102] In some cases, the one or more cutouts may comprise one or more annular-shaped openings on the movable plate. FIG. 2B illustrates a movable plate 120 with one or more annular-shaped openings 124. The one or more annular-shaped openings 124 may be located at different radial distances from the center 121 of the movable plate 120. The one or more annular-shaped openings may have an annular shape corresponding to a ring or a portion of a ring. The annular shape may be a shape bounded by two concentric circles. The two concentric circles may or may not have a center that corresponds to the center of the movable plate. Alternatively, the annular shape may be a shape bounded by two concentric arcs and two edges. The two edges may or may not coincide with radial lines extending from a center point associated with the two concentric arcs.

[0103] In some cases, the one or more open areas disposed on the movable plate may include one or more annular-shaped openings disposed at one or more radial distances from the center of the movable plate. The one or more radial distances may be distinctly different. In such cases, each of the one or more radial distances may correspond to at least one of the plurality of illumination sources. The one or more annular-shaped openings may be disposed at one or more distinctly different angular positions relative to one another. In some cases, the one or more annular-shaped openings may be disposed at the same radial distance from the center of the movable plate.

[0104] In some cases, the one or more open regions may comprise a first annular-shaped opening and a second annular-shaped opening. In such cases, the first annular-shaped opening may have a first circumferential length that is different from a second circumferential length of the second annular-shaped opening. In other cases, the one or more open regions may comprise three or more annular-shaped openings with different circumferential lengths. The circumferential lengths may be configured to provide a predetermined exposure time for each of the plurality of illumination sources. The predetermined exposure time may be determined based on the circumferential length and / or the rate of rotation (i.e., rotation rate) of the movable plate.

[0105] In some cases, the one or more open regions may comprise one or more wedge-shaped openings. The one or more wedge-shaped openings may be disposed at one or more distinct angular positions relative to one another. In some cases, the one or more open regions may comprise a first wedge-shaped opening and a second wedge-shaped opening. The first wedge-shaped opening may have a first circumferential width that is different from a second circumferential width of the second wedge-shaped opening. In some cases, the one or more open regions may comprise three or more wedge-shaped openings with different circumferential widths.

[0106] As described above, the one or more wedge-shaped openings may have a circumferential width. The circumferential width may correspond to a portion of an edge length of the movable plate. The circumferential width may be configured to provide a predetermined exposure time for each of the plurality of illumination sources. The predetermined exposure time may be determined based on the circumferential width and / or the rotation rate of the movable plate.

[0107] In some cases, the one or more distinct open areas may comprise (i) a first open area configured to expose at least one of the multiple illumination sources for a first predetermined time interval and (ii) a second open area configured to expose at least one of the multiple illumination sources for a second predetermined time interval. The first open area may have a different geometry and / or shape than the second open area. The first predetermined time interval may be different from the second predetermined time interval. In some cases, the one or more distinct open areas may comprise three or more open areas configured to expose each of the multiple illumination sources for one or more distinct predetermined time intervals.

[0108] The movable plate and / or one or more cutouts in the movable plate may be optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources. The movable plate and / or one or more cutouts in the movable plate may be optically aligned with the illumination source (e.g., a white light source, a laser light source, or an indocyanine (ICG) excitation light source) such that, when the illumination source is positioned and / or oriented relative to the movable plate, one or more light beams generated by the illumination source are emitted and / or transmitted along optical paths or vectors that intersect and / or coincide with areas corresponding to (a) the movable plate or (b) the cutout portions of the movable plate.

[0109] The movable plate may be configured to move (e.g., rotate or translate) relative to one or more illumination sources and sequentially (a) allow light transmission through one or more cutouts and (b) prevent light transmission by physically blocking such light transmission with one or more solid portions of the movable plate. The one or more solid portions may comprise a low transmittance material, as described elsewhere herein.

[0110] The movable plate may be configured to rotate in a clockwise and / or counterclockwise direction. The movable plate may be configured to rotate at a predetermined rotation rate. The predetermined rotation rate may be at least about 100 revolutions per minute (RPM), 200 RPM, 300 RPM, 400 RPM, 500 RPM, 600 RPM, 700 RPM, 800 RPM, 900 RPM, 1,000 RPM, 1,100 RPM, 1,200 RPM, 1,300 RPM, 1,400 RPM, 1,500 RPM, 1,600 RPM, 1,700 RPM, 1,800 RPM, 1,900 RPM, 2,000 RPM, or more.

[0111] The movable plate may be configured to control exposure of the one or more illumination sources by selectively allowing one or more light beams generated by the one or more illumination sources to pass through one or more cutouts in the movable plate for one or more predetermined time intervals. The one or more predetermined time intervals may be determined based on (i) a rotation rate of the movable plate and / or (ii) a shape or geometry associated with the one or more cutouts. During the one or more predetermined time intervals, at least one of the multiple illumination sources may be optically aligned with at least one of the one or more cutouts.

[0112] The movable plate may be configured to control exposure of one or more illumination sources for a predetermined frame capture rate. In some cases, the movable plate may be configured to rotate at a predetermined rotation rate such that at least a subset of the multiple illumination sources are exposed for one or more time intervals corresponding to an imaging period. An imaging period may correspond to one or more time intervals during which an imaging device with the predetermined frame capture rate is configured to obtain one or more image frames. The imaging device may include an image sensor or a camera.

[0113] The movable plate may be configured to generate one or more light pulses based on controlled exposure of one or more illumination sources. The one or more light pulses may be obtained from one or more light beams (e.g., white light beams, laser light beams, and / or indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light beams) generated by multiple illumination sources. The light pulses may be generated when the movable plate translates or rotates between a first position that optically aligns one or more illumination sources with one or more cutouts and a second position that optically aligns one or more illumination sources with a solid portion of the movable plate. A pulse duration associated with the light pulse may correspond to a time period during which the movable plate translates or rotates between the first position and the second position. The pulse duration may be a function of the shape or geometry of the movable plate and / or the shape or geometry of the one or more cutouts. For example, a first cutout with a first dimension may produce a first light pulse with a first pulse duration that is longer than a second pulse duration associated with a second light pulse produced by a second cutout with a second dimension that is less than the first dimension. The pulse duration may be a function of the rotation rate of the movable plate. For example, the pulse duration may be longer when the movable plate rotates at a lower rotation rate because a lower rotation rate may allow the illumination source to be optically aligned with one or more cutouts for a longer period of time.

[0114] The use of a movable plate to generate one or more light pulses may allow the systems disclosed herein to continuously operate with multiple illumination sources during medical imaging without electronically pulsing the illumination sources. This may allow the multiple illumination sources to generate and maintain one or more coherent light beams. As an added advantage, one or more light beams (e.g., white light beams, laser light beams, and / or ICG excitation light beams) may be stabilized such that the coherence of the one or more light beams is improved relative to systems in which the illumination sources are electronically pulsed or alternate between on and off states.

[0115] The exposure of each of the multiple illumination sources may be synchronized with an image frame associated with a capture rate imaging device (e.g., an image sensor and / or camera). Thus, the generation and / or transmission of one or more light pulses may be synchronized with the acquisition of one or more image frames captured by the imaging device. The one or more image frames may be acquired at an image frame capture rate associated with the imaging device. The one or more image frames captured by the imaging device may comprise spectral data generated, in part, based on the interaction (i.e., reflection and / or deflection) of a subset of the one or more light pulses with a target region within the subject's body. In some cases, each of the one or more image frames may correspond to a different illumination source of the multiple illumination sources or a different subset of the multiple illumination sources.

[0116] In some cases, the exposure of each of the multiple illumination sources may be synchronized with the image frame capture rate of the imaging device using a timing signal. The timing signal may be generated using one or more photointerrupters. The photointerrupter may include a sensor configured to detect whether one or more light beams are incident on the sensor. In some cases, the one or more photointerrupters may be positioned adjacent to each of the multiple illumination sources. The one or more photointerrupters may be configured to generate a timing signal, which may be provided to a microcontroller configured to (i) adjust the image frame capture rate of the imaging device and / or (ii) adjust the time at which the camera captures one or more image frames. Adjusting the image frame capture rate may involve synchronizing the image frame capture rate with the rate at which the one or more illumination sources are exposed through the cutouts in the movable plate. Alternatively, adjusting the image frame capture rate may involve synchronizing the image frame capture rate with the time that one or more illumination sources are exposed through cutouts in the movable plate. In some cases, the microcontroller may be configured to compensate for any delays associated with transmission of the timing signals by modifying the timing signals.

[0117] In some cases, the timing signals generated by the one or more photointerrupters may be provided to a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or one or more electronic gates. The microcontroller, the field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or the one or more electronic gates may be configured to generate a trigger signal based on the timing signals obtained from the one or more photointerrupters. The trigger signal may be used by a camera or imaging device to trigger the exposure of one or more image frames.

[0118] In some embodiments, a medical imaging system may include a movable plate with a cutout, three laser diodes, and three photointerrupters located adjacent to the three laser diodes. The movable plate may be configured to rotate relative to the three laser diodes at a rotation rate of 2,400 revolutions per minute (RPM). In such a case, the three photointerrupters may be configured to pulse at 40 Hertz (Hz). The medical imaging system may include a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or one or more electronic gates configured to combine one or more pulses generated by the three photointerrupters into a trigger signal at 120 Hz. The camera or imaging device may be configured to capture one or more image frames in response to receiving the trigger signal. The camera or imaging device may be configured to obtain one or more image frames at 120 frames per second. In such embodiments, the commanded speed of a motor configured to control the movement of the movable plate may dictate the image frame capture rate of the camera or imaging device.

[0119] In some cases, the exposure of each of the multiple illumination sources may be synchronized with the image frame rate of the imaging device using a timing signal generated by the imaging device. In such cases, the imaging device may be configured to generate the timing signal based on the rate at which the camera captures one or more image frames and / or the time at which the camera captures one or more image frames. The timing signal may be provided to a microcontroller, which may be configured to adjust the rate and / or time at which the one or more illumination sources are pulsed or exposed through the cutouts in the movable plate. In some cases, adjusting the rate of exposure of the one or more illumination sources may involve adjusting the speed at which the movable plate rotates or translates relative to the one or more illumination sources. In other cases, adjusting the rate of exposure of the one or more illumination sources may involve adjusting the time at which one or more cutouts in the movable plate are optically aligned with the one or more illumination sources.

[0120] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the system may further include an additional movable plate configured to rotate relative to the multiple illumination sources and the movable plate. The additional movable plate may be configured to rotate at a second rate different from the first rate at which the movable plate is configured to rotate. The additional movable plate may be configured to rotate in a second direction different from the first direction relative to which the movable plate is configured to rotate. The movable plate may include a first set of cutouts with a different geometry or arrangement than a second set of cutouts on the additional movable plate. The movable plate may have a first shape or geometry different from the second shape or geometry of the additional movable plate. The movable plate and the additional movable plate may have different shapes, geometries, and / or dimensions.

[0121] 2C illustrates movable plate 120a and additional movable plate 120b. Movable plate 120a and additional movable plate 120b may be configured to control the exposure of each of multiple illumination sources. As described above, movable plate 120a may be configured to rotate in a different direction and / or at a different rotation rate than additional movable plate 120b.

[0122] 2D and 2E illustrate top and bottom views of movable plate 120a and additional movable plate 120b when the centers of the respective movable plates 120a and additional movable plates 120b are aligned (i.e., on similar axes). As shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E, movable plate 120a may include a first set of cutouts with a different geometry or arrangement than a second set of cutouts on additional movable plate 120b. In such cases, movable plate 120a and additional movable plate 120b may be used simultaneously to modulate the length and / or timing of the exposure of the illumination source in a manner different from when only one movable plate (e.g., either movable plate 120a or additional movable plate 120b) is used to modulate the exposure of the illumination source.

[0123] In some embodiments, the medical imaging system of the present disclosure may include one or more optical isolators. An optical isolator may comprise an optical device or component that allows only unidirectional transmission of an optical signal (e.g., one or more light beams or light pulses generated using one or more illumination sources as described herein). An optical isolator may be used to create a more stable, coherent light source for imaging. An optical isolator may also be used to avoid unwanted optical reflections and minimize external optical feedback (e.g., back reflections) that may damage and / or cause instability in one or more illumination sources. The optical isolator may comprise a polarization-dependent isolator. Alternatively, the optical isolator may comprise a polarization-independent isolator.

[0124] In some cases, the optical isolator may be integrated with one or more illumination sources described elsewhere herein. In such cases, the optical isolator may be disposed on a portion or structural component of one or more illumination sources, or may be positioned along the beam path of the one or more illumination sources. In other cases, the optical isolator may be integrated with a movable plate (i.e., an optical chopper) described elsewhere herein. Alternatively, the optical isolator may be disposed along the beam path of the one or more illumination sources, between the one or more illumination sources and the movable plate.

[0125] In some embodiments, the medical imaging system of the present disclosure may include one or more bandpass filters. The one or more bandpass filters may be used in combination with any of the illumination sources described herein (e.g., white light source, laser light source, ICG excitation light source, etc.). In some embodiments, the one or more bandpass filters are used on the ICG excitation laser to create a narrower laser source around the 808 nanometer (nm) excitation wavelength, such that the 808 nm excitation wavelength may be effectively blocked using a notch filter, thereby allowing visualization of only features within the target area that fluoresce in response to the excitation wavelength.

[0126] 3A illustrates a system for illuminating a target region within a subject's body. The system may include multiple illumination sources 110. The multiple illumination sources 110 may be configured to generate one or more light beams 210. The one or more light beams 210 may be directed toward a movable plate 120. In some cases, a subset of the one or more light beams 210 may be directed toward the movable plate 120. The movable plate 120 may be configured to generate one or more light pulses 220 by selectively controlling exposure of the one or more illumination sources 110 such that the one or more light beams 210 are allowed to pass through cutouts in the movable plate 120 for one or more discrete time intervals. For one or more discrete time intervals, a subset of the multiple illumination sources 110 may be optically aligned with the cutouts in the movable plate 120.

[0127] The one or more light pulses 220 generated by the movable plate 120 may be concentrated by the light-concentrating module 130. The light-concentrating module 130 may be configured to receive the one or more light pulses 220. The one or more light pulses 220 may be provided to the light-concentrating module 130 via one or more fiber optic bundles. The one or more fiber optic bundles may be configured to receive multiple signals (e.g., light beams 210 or light pulses 220) from multiple illumination sources 110 via multiple separate fibers.

[0128] The aggregation of one or more light pulses may be implemented using a branched fiber bundle. FIG. 3B illustrates an example of a branched fiber bundle 300. The branched fiber bundle 300 may include multiple separate fiber bundles 310 at a first end of the branched fiber bundle 300. Each of the separate fiber bundles 310 at the first end of the branched fiber bundle 300 may be configured to receive one or more light pulses generated using a movable plate and multiple illumination sources. The light pulses generated by pulsing each of the multiple illumination sources may be collimated into one or more of the separate fiber bundles 310. In some cases, one or more light pulses generated using a white light source may also be combined into the fiber bundles of the separate fiber bundles 310. The separate fiber bundles 310 may be combined and filled into a single fiber bundle 320 located at a second end of the branched fiber bundle 300. The separate fiber bundles 310 may be configured to direct one or more light pulses from a first end of the branched fiber bundle 300 to a single fiber bundle 320 located at a second end of the branched fiber bundle 300. The single fiber bundle 320 may be configured to collect and direct one or more light pulses generated using a movable plate and multiple illumination sources to a scope. The single fiber bundle 320 may be directly or indirectly coupled to the scope. The branched fiber bundle 300 may be an N to 1 branched fiber bundle, where N is an integer corresponding to the number of illumination sources in the plurality of illumination sources. N may be at least about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more. In some cases, the branched fiber bundle 300 may be a 5 to 1 branched fiber bundle.

[0129] 3A and 4, the light-gathering module 130 may be configured to generate a combined beam 230 based on (a) one or more light beams 210 generated by the multiple illumination sources and / or (b) one or more light pulses 220 generated by the movable plate 120. The combined light beam 230 may be provided to a scope 140. The scope 140 may comprise a laparoscope, an endoscope, a borescope, a videoscope, or a fiberscope. The scope 140 may be insertable into a subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam 230 onto a target area 150. The scope may be configured to receive, at a distal end of the scope, a reflected light signal generated when the combined light signal 230 is emitted onto and reflected from the target area 150. The reflected light signal may comprise a first portion of the reflected light signal and a second portion of the reflected light signal. The first portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise polarized light (e.g., backscattered light) generated when the target site is illuminated with a first illumination source (e.g., a white light source, a laser light source, or an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source), and the second portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise reflected light generated when the target site is illuminated with a second illumination source different from the first illumination source.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 4 , the scope may be configured to direct the reflected optical signal from the distal end of the scope 140 to the proximal end of the scope 140 and into an optical system assembly 160 located adjacent to the proximal end of the scope. The optical system assembly 160 may include a beam splitter. The reflected optical signal may pass through the beam splitter (e.g., a dichroic mirror). By doing so, the reflected optical signal may be separated into a first portion of the reflected optical signal and a second portion of the reflected optical signal. The first portion may be provided to an image sensor 170 to generate a first image. The second portion may be provided to a camera 180 to generate a second image. The image sensor 170 may be configured to provide the first image to an image processing module 190. The camera 180 may be configured to provide the second image to the image processing module 190. The image processing module 190 may be configured to generate a combined image based on the first image and the second image. The combined image may be an overlay or superimposed image comprising one or more features from a first image and one or more features from a second image.

[0131] As illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, in some cases, the movable plate 120 may be optically aligned with one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4. The multiple illumination sources may include a white light source 111 and one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4. In such cases, the movable plate 120 and the white light source 111 may not share a common optical axis (i.e., the white light source may be positioned and / or oriented such that the white light beam generated by the white light source does not intersect or coincide with either the movable plate or the cutout portions of the movable plate). The white light source may be positioned relative to the movable plate such that the white light beam does not pass through the movable plate. The white light beam from the white light source may be continuously transmitted without being affected by the movable plate or separated into pulses. The one or more light pulses generated by the movable plate may be obtained from one or more laser light beams.

[0132] In such a case, the light concentrating module 130 may be configured to (i) combine (a) one or more light pulses 220 obtained from one or more laser light beams with (b) a white light beam, (c) generate a combined light beam 230, and (ii) provide the combined light beam 230 to a scope 140, which may be insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam 230 onto a target area inside the subject's body.

[0133] In any of the embodiments described herein, the optical aggregation module may be configured to aggregate two or more optical signals. The two or more optical signals may comprise optical pulses and / or optical beams. Aggregating two or more optical signals may involve (i) combining two or more optical pulses, (ii) combining two or more optical beams, and / or (iii) combining one or more optical pulses and one or more optical beams. Aggregating two or more optical signals may involve combining one or more aspects of spectral beams. Combining spectral beams may involve combining two or more incoherent signals and non-overlapping optical spectra using a wavelength-sensitive beam combiner (e.g., a prism, a diffraction grating, a dichroic mirror, and / or a volume Bragg grating) that can deflect incident signals (i.e., pulses or beams) according to their individual wavelengths so that these signals all propagate in the same direction. In some cases, combining the spectral beams may be performed using a series of dichroic mirrors configured to reflect multiple light beams and / or light pulses along one or more beam paths that may be coincident with one another. In such cases, the light beams and / or light pulses may propagate in the same direction.

[0134] In some cases, the optical aggregation module may be configured to combine a first set of optical pulses with a second set of optical pulses. In such cases, combining the first set of optical pulses with the second set of optical pulses may involve sequentially, in a temporal manner, aligning one or more optical pulses from either the first set or the second set of optical pulses. Alternatively, combining the first set of optical pulses with the second set of optical pulses may involve combining one or more aspects of coherent beams and / or combining spectral beams.

[0135] In other cases, the optical aggregation module may be configured to combine a first set of optical beams with a second set of optical beams, in such cases, combining the first set of optical beams with the second set of optical beams may involve combining one or more aspects of coherent beams and / or combining spectral beams.

[0136] As described elsewhere herein, a reflected optical signal may be generated when the combined optical signal 230 is emitted onto and reflected from a target area. The reflected optical signal may comprise a first portion of the reflected optical signal and a second portion of the reflected optical signal. The first portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise polarized light (e.g., backscattered light) generated when the target area is illuminated with one or more light pulses obtained from one or more coherent laser light beams generated by one or more laser light sources. The second portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise reflected light generated when the target area is illuminated with a white light beam generated by a white light source. The scope 140 may be configured to direct the reflected optical signal toward a beam splitter 161. The beam splitter may be configured to separate the reflected optical signal into a first portion of the reflected optical signal and a second portion of the reflected optical signal. The first portion may be provided to the image sensor 170 to generate a first image. The second portion may be provided to camera 180 to generate a second image. Image sensor 170 may be configured to provide the first image to an image processing module. Camera 180 may be configured to provide the second image to the image processing module. The image processing module may be configured to generate a combined image based on the first image and the second image.

[0137] FIG. 5B illustrates an optical system assembly 160 that can be configured to receive the reflected optical signal. The optical system assembly 160 can include a dichroic mirror 162. In some cases, the dichroic mirror can be replaced with a beam splitter, a half mirror, a dichroic beam splitter, or a multi-band beam splitter. The dichroic mirror 162 can be configured to receive the reflected optical signal from the target site and (i) reflect a first portion of the optical signal within a first range of the electromagnetic spectrum toward the image sensor 170 and (ii) allow a second portion of the optical signal within a second range of the electromagnetic spectrum to pass through toward the camera 180. The camera 180 can be integrated with the optical system assembly 160 or not. The optical system assembly 160 can include a long-pass filter 163. The long-pass filter 163 can be positioned adjacent to and / or in front of the image sensor 170. The image sensor can be a monochrome camera board. The optical system assembly 160 can include a short-pass filter 164. The short-pass filter 164 may be positioned adjacent to and / or in front of the camera 180 .

[0138] 6A illustrates the synchronization of (i) exposure of one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4 through a movable plate 120 and (ii) one or more camera frames captured by an image sensor or camera. The movable plate 120 may include a single cutout. The camera frames may be acquired at 120 frames per second (FPS). Each laser light source 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4 may be exposed at a frequency of 30 hertz (Hz). In such a case, the movable plate 120 may rotate at approximately 1,800 revolutions per minute (RPM).

[0139] 6B illustrates the synchronization of (i) exposure of one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4 through the movable plate 120 and (ii) one or more camera frames captured by an image sensor or camera. The movable plate 120 may include two distinct cutouts with different shapes and / or geometries. The two distinct cutouts may provide different exposure times for each of the laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4, respectively. The camera frames may be acquired at 120 frames per second (FPS). With each revolution of the movable plate, each laser light source 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4 may be exposed (i) through a first notch in the movable plate for a first exposure time, and (ii) through a second notch in the movable plate for a second exposure time. The movable plate 120 may be configured to rotate at approximately 900 revolutions per minute (RPM).

[0140] In some cases, the movable plate may be optically aligned with both (i) a white light source and (ii) one or more laser light sources. The multiple illumination sources may comprise a white light source and one or more laser light sources. In such cases, the one or more light pulses generated by the movable plate may be obtained from (i) a white light beam and (ii) one or more laser light beams.

[0141] In such cases, the light-aggregating module may be configured to (i) combine one or more light pulses obtained from (a) the white light beam and (b) one or more light pulses obtained from the one or more laser light beams, (c) generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope that may be insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target area.

[0142] As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B , in some cases, the movable plate 120 may be optically aligned with (i) one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4. The multiple illumination sources may include a white light source 111, one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4, and an ICG excitation light source 113. In such cases, the movable plate 120 and the white light source 111 may not share a common optical axis. The white light beam from the white light source may be continuously transmitted without being affected by the movable plate or separated into pulses. Furthermore, the movable plate 120 and the ICG excitation light source 113 may not share a common optical axis. The ICG excitation light beam 213 from the ICG excitation light source 113 may be continuously transmitted without being affected by the movable plate 120 or separated into pulses. The one or more light pulses 220 generated by the movable plate 120 may be obtained from (i) one or more laser light beams 212 .

[0143] In such a case, light-concentrating module 130 may be configured to (i) combine (a) one or more light pulses 220 obtained from one or more laser light beams 212 and (b) at least one of white light beam 211 or ICG excitation light beam 213, (c) generate combined light beam 230, and (ii) provide combined light beam 230 to scope 140. The scope may be insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target region within the subject's body.

[0144] As described above, a reflected optical signal may be generated when the combined optical signal 230 is emitted onto and reflected from a target area. The reflected optical signal may comprise a first portion of the reflected optical signal and a second portion of the reflected optical signal. The first portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise polarized light generated when the target area is illuminated with one or more light pulses obtained from one or more laser light beams 212. The second portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise reflected light generated when the target area is illuminated with a different light (e.g., the white light beam 211 or the ICG excitation light beam 213). The scope 140 may be configured to direct the reflected optical signal toward the beam splitter 161. The beam splitter may be configured to separate the reflected optical signal into the first portion of the reflected optical signal and the second portion of the reflected optical signal. The first portion may be provided to the image sensor 170 to generate a first image. The second portion may be provided to camera 180 to generate a second image. Image sensor 170 may be configured to provide the first image to an image processing module. Camera 180 may be configured to provide the second image to the image processing module. The image processing module may be configured to generate a combined image based, in part, on the first image and / or the second image.

[0145] FIG. 7B illustrates an optical system assembly 160 that can be configured to receive the reflected optical signal. The optical system assembly 160 can include a dichroic mirror 162. In some cases, the dichroic mirror can be replaced with a beam splitter, a half mirror, a dichroic beam splitter, or a multi-band beam splitter. The dichroic mirror 162 can be configured to receive the reflected optical signal from the target site and (i) reflect a first portion of the optical signal within a first range of the electromagnetic spectrum toward the image sensor 170 and (ii) allow a second portion of the optical signal within a second range of the electromagnetic spectrum to pass through toward the camera 180. The camera 180 can be integrated with the optical system assembly 160 or can be separate. The optical system assembly 160 can include a long-pass filter 163. The long-pass filter 163 can be positioned adjacent to and / or in front of the image sensor 170. The image sensor can be a monochrome camera board. The optical system assembly 160 can include a short-pass filter 164. The short-pass filter 164 may be positioned adjacent to and / or in front of the camera 180. The optical assembly may include a notch filter 165. The notch filter 165 may have a notch width of approximately 808 nanometers (nm). The notch filter may be positioned between the long-pass filter 163 and the image sensor 170.

[0146] FIG. 8 illustrates synchronization of (i) exposure of one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, and 112-4 through a movable plate 120 and (ii) one or more camera frames captured by an image sensor or camera. The multiple illumination sources may include an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source 113 that is not optically aligned with the movable plate. The movable plate 120 may include a single cutout. The imaging device may be configured to capture a first set of camera frames based on the exposure of the one or more laser light sources. Thereafter, the one or more laser light sources may be turned off and the ICG excitation light source may be turned on. The imaging device may be configured to capture a second set of camera frames based on one or more ICG excitation light beams generated by the ICG excitation light source. The first set of camera frames and the second set of camera frames may be acquired at 120 frames per second (FPS). ICG emission characteristics (e.g., fluorescence caused by the interaction of one or more dyes with the ICG excitation light beam) may be imaged in any camera frame in which the ICG excitation light source is turned on and / or enabled.

[0147] 9A-9B, in some cases, the movable plate 120 may be optically aligned with (i) one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, and 112-3 and (ii) the ICG excitation light source 113. The multiple illumination sources may include the white light source 111, one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, and 112-3, and the ICG excitation light source 113. In such cases, the movable plate and the white light source may not share a common optical axis. The white light beam from the white light source may be continuously transmitted without being affected by the movable plate or separated into pulses. The one or more light pulses 220 generated by the movable plate 120 may be obtained from (i) one or more laser light beams and (ii) the ICG excitation light beam.

[0148] In such a case, light-concentrating module 130 may be configured to (i) combine one or more light pulses 220 obtained from (a) the one or more laser light beams and the ICG excitation light beam with (b) the white light beam, (c) generate combined light beam 230, and (ii) provide combined light beam 230 to scope 140. The scope may be insertable into a subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target area.

[0149] As described above, a reflected optical signal may be generated when the combined optical signal 230 is emitted onto and reflected from a target area. The reflected optical signal may comprise a first portion of the reflected optical signal and a second portion of the reflected optical signal. The first portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise polarized light (e.g., backscattered light) generated when the target area is illuminated with one or more light pulses 220 obtained from one or more light beams generated by the laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3 and / or the ICG excitation light source 113. The second portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise reflected light generated when the target area is illuminated with a different light (e.g., a white light beam). The scope 140 may be configured to direct the reflected optical signal toward the beam splitter 161. The beam splitter may be configured to separate the reflected optical signal into the first portion of the reflected optical signal and the second portion of the reflected optical signal. The first portion may be provided to image sensor 170 to generate a first image. The second portion may be provided to camera 180 to generate a second image. Image sensor 170 may be configured to provide the first image to an image processing module. Camera 180 may be configured to provide the second image to the image processing module. The image processing module may be configured to generate a combined image based on the first image and the second image.

[0150] FIG. 9B illustrates an optical system assembly 160 that can be configured to receive the reflected optical signal. The optical system assembly 160 can include a dichroic mirror 162. In some cases, the dichroic mirror can be replaced with a beam splitter, a half mirror, a dichroic beam splitter, or a multi-band beam splitter. The dichroic mirror 162 can be configured to receive the reflected optical signal from the target site and (i) reflect a first portion of the optical signal within a first range of the electromagnetic spectrum toward the image sensor 170 and (ii) allow a second portion of the optical signal within a second range of the electromagnetic spectrum to pass through toward the camera 180. The camera 180 can be integrated with the optical system assembly 160 or not. The optical system assembly 160 can include a long-pass filter 163. The long-pass filter 163 can be positioned adjacent to and / or in front of the image sensor 170. The image sensor can be a monochrome camera board. The optical system assembly 160 can include a short-pass filter 164. The short-pass filter 164 may be positioned adjacent to and / or in front of the camera 180. The optical assembly may include a notch filter 165. The notch filter 165 may have a notch width of approximately 808 nanometers (nm). The notch filter may be positioned between the long-pass filter 163 and the image sensor 170.

[0151] FIG. 10 illustrates the synchronization of (i) the exposure of (a) one or more laser light sources 112-1, 112-2, 112-3 and (b) the ICG excitation light source 113 with (ii) the acquisition of one or more camera frames captured by an image sensor or camera. The one or more laser light sources and the ICG excitation light source may be optically aligned with the movable plate. The movable plate 120 may include a single notch. The imaging device may be configured to capture a first set of camera frames based on the exposure of the one or more laser light sources. The imaging device may be configured to capture a second set of camera frames based on the controlled exposure of the ICG excitation light source. The first set of camera frames may be acquired at 120 frames per second (FPS). The second set of camera frames may be acquired at 30 frames per second (FPS). The second set of camera frames may capture one or more ICG emission characteristics (e.g., fluorescence caused by the interaction of one or more dyes with the ICG excitation light beam). The second set of camera frames may be imaged at 1 / N frames, where N may correspond to the number of laser light sources optically aligned with the movable plate 120.

[0152] In some cases, the movable plate may be optically aligned with (i) one or more laser light sources and (ii) a white light source. The multiple illumination sources may include a white light source, one or more laser light sources, and an ICG excitation light source. In such cases, the movable plate and the ICG excitation light source may not share a common optical axis. The ICG excitation light beam from the ICG excitation light source may be continuously transmitted without being affected by the movable plate or separated into pulses. The movable plate generated by one or more light pulses may be obtained from (i) one or more laser light beams and (ii) a white light beam.

[0153] In such cases, the light-aggregating module may be configured to (i) combine (a) one or more light pulses and a white light beam obtained from one or more laser light beams with (b) an ICG excitation light beam, (c) generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope that may be insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target area.

[0154] In some cases, the movable plate may be optically aligned with (i) one or more laser light sources, (ii) a white light source, and (iii) an ICG excitation light source. In such cases, the one or more light pulses generated by the movable plate may be obtained from (i) one or more laser light beams, (ii) a white light beam, and (iii) an ICG excitation light beam. Furthermore, the light-concentrating module may be configured to (i) combine (a) one or more light pulses obtained from the one or more laser light beams and (b) one or more light pulses obtained from the white light beam and the ICG excitation light beam, (c) generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope. The scope may be configured to be insertable into a subject's body and to direct the combined light beam onto a target area.

[0155] 11A and 11B illustrate a white light source 111 and a laser light source 112 optically aligned with a movable plate 120. The white light source 111 and the laser light source 112 may be operated simultaneously and continuously. The white light source may be used to recover standard color images and / or videos of the target area. The laser light source may be used for laser speckle contrast imaging of the target area. The movable plate 120 may be configured to generate one or more light pulses 220 by controlling the exposure of the white light source 111 and the laser light source 112. The light-collecting module 130 may be configured to combine one or more sets of light pulses associated with the white light source 111 and one or more sets of light pulses associated with the laser light source 112 to generate a combined light beam 230. The combined light beam 230 may be provided to a scope 140, which may be configured to direct the combined light beam 230 to a target area within a subject's body.

[0156] A reflected optical signal may be generated when the combined optical signal 230 is emitted onto and reflected from the target area. The reflected optical signal may comprise a first portion of the reflected optical signal and a second portion of the reflected optical signal. The first portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise polarized light (e.g., backscattered light) generated when the target area is illuminated with one or more light pulses 220 obtained from one or more laser light beams generated by the laser light source 112. The second portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise reflected light generated when the target area is illuminated with one or more light pulses 220 obtained from one or more white light beams generated by the white light source 111. The scope 140 may be configured to direct the reflected optical signal toward an optical system assembly. The optical system assembly may comprise a focusing coupler 169. The focusing combiner may be configured to focus, modulate, and / or direct the first portion of the reflected optical signal and / or the second portion of the reflected optical signal to camera 180. The camera may be configured to generate a combined image of the target area based on the first portion of the reflected optical signal and the second portion of the reflected optical signal. In some cases, the camera may be configured to provide the combined image, the first portion of the reflected optical signal, and / or the second portion of the reflected optical signal to camera box 185. Camera box 185 may be configured to preprocess and / or modify the combined image, the first portion of the reflected optical signal, and / or the second portion of the reflected optical signal. Camera box 185 may be configured to provide the preprocessed image, the first portion of the reflected optical signal, and / or the second portion of the reflected optical signal to central processing unit (CPU) 190. The CPU 190 may be configured to generate a modified and / or overlaid (i.e., superimposed) image of the target area based on the first portion of the reflected optical signal and / or the second portion of the reflected optical signal.

[0157] 11A and 11B, camera 180 may be configured to capture a first set of frames associated with white light source 111 and a second set of frames associated with laser light source 112. The frames captured by camera 180 may alternate between frames from the first set of frames and frames from the second set of frames. The exposure of white light source 111 may be synchronized with the acquisition of one or more even frames. The exposure of laser light source 112 may be synchronized with the acquisition of one or more odd frames. Camera 180 may be configured to capture frames at 120 frames / second. Camera 180 may be configured to capture 60 frames / second for white light source 111 and another 60 frames / second for laser light source 112.

[0158] In some cases, camera 180 and / or camera box 185 may be configured to calibrate a phase delay between the generation of one or more light pulses and the acquisition of one or more frames. In such cases, camera 180 and / or camera box 185 may be configured to (i) turn off one or more illumination sources and (ii) adjust, sweep, and / or optimize one or more delay parameters for the moving plate until even frames are completely dark and odd frames are bright.

[0159] 12 illustrates a light-concentrating module 130 configured to (a) concentrate the white light beam generated by the white light source 111 and the laser light beam generated by the laser light source 112, and (b) generate a combined light beam 230. The combined light beam 230 may be provided to a scope 140, which may be configured to direct the combined light beam 230 to a target area within a subject's body. The laser light beam and the white light beam may be transmitted as a continuous beam with a stable output power.

[0160] A reflected optical signal may be generated when the combined optical signal 230 is emitted onto and reflected from the target area. The reflected optical signal may comprise a first portion of the reflected optical signal and a second portion of the reflected optical signal. The first portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise polarized light (e.g., backscattered light) generated when the target area is illuminated with one or more laser light beams generated by the laser light source 112. The second portion of the reflected optical signal may comprise reflected light generated when the target area is illuminated with one or more white light beams generated by the white light source 111. The scope 140 may be configured to direct the reflected optical signal toward an optical system assembly. The optical system assembly may comprise a focusing coupler 169. The focusing coupler 169 may be configured to focus, modulate, and / or direct the first portion of the reflected optical signal and / or the second portion of the reflected optical signal to the camera 180. The focusing combiner 169 may comprise a dual bandpass filter and a dual focusing element. The camera 180 may be configured to generate a combined image of the target area based on the first portion of the reflected optical signal and the second portion of the reflected optical signal. In some cases, the camera may be configured to provide the combined image, the first portion of the reflected optical signal, and / or the second portion of the reflected optical signal to the CPU 190. The CPU 190 may be configured to process and / or modify the combined image, the first portion of the reflected optical signal, and / or the second portion of the reflected optical signal. The CPU 190 may be configured to generate a modified and / or overlaid (i.e., superimposed) image of the target area based on the first portion of the reflected optical signal and the second portion of the reflected optical signal.

[0161] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for illuminating a target region of a subject's body. The system may include multiple illumination sources including at least two of: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser light sources configured to generate one or more laser light beams; and a movable plate including one or more cutouts. The movable plate may be optically aligned with one or more of the multiple illumination sources and configured to (i) move relative to the one or more illumination sources and (ii) control the pulsing of the one or more illumination sources in synchronization with a predetermined frame capture rate. In some cases, the movable plate may be configured to control the pulsing of the one or more illumination sources by adjusting one or more time intervals during which each of the multiple illumination sources is optically aligned with one or more cutouts of the movable plate.

[0162] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for illuminating a target region within a subject's body, the method including the steps of providing a plurality of illumination sources comprising: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more laser light sources configured to generate one or more laser light beams; and directing the one or more light beams generated by the plurality of illumination sources toward a movable plate comprising one or more cutouts, the movable plate (i) being optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources and (ii) (a) controlling exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate; and (b) controlling exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the one or more cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate. and providing the one or more light pulses to a light-gathering module, the light-gathering module configured to (i) combine one or more light pulses obtained from each of the one or more light beams generated by the plurality of illumination sources to generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope, the scope being insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto a target area. In some cases, the plurality of illumination sources may further include an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source configured to generate an ICG excitation light beam.

[0163] 13 illustrates an example of a method for illuminating a target area within a subject's body. The method may include (a) generating one or more light beams using an illumination source (1310), (b) directing the one or more light beams to a movable plate (1320), (c) generating one or more light pulses from the one or more light beams (1330), (d) directing the one or more light pulses to a light-collecting module (1340), (e) combining the one or more light pulses into a combined light signal (1350), (f) providing the combined light signal to a scope (1360), and (g) directing the combined light beam onto the target area (1370).

[0164] Computer Systems

[0165] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer system programmed or otherwise configured to implement the methods of the present disclosure, e.g., any of the subject methods for medical imaging. Figure 14 shows a computer system 1401 programmed or otherwise configured to implement a method for medical imaging. The computer system 1401 may be configured to (a) generate one or more light beams using an illumination source, (b) direct the one or more light beams to a movable plate, (c) generate one or more light pulses from the one or more light beams, (d) direct the one or more light pulses to a light-gathering module, (e) combine the one or more light pulses into a combined light signal, (f) provide the combined light signal to a scope, and (g) direct the combined light beam onto a target area within a subject's body. The computer system 1401 may be a user's electronic device or a computer system remotely located relative to the electronic device. The electronic device may be a mobile electronic device.

[0166] Computer system 1401 may include a central processing unit (CPU, also referred to herein as "processor" and "computer processor") 1405, which may be a single-core or multi-core processor, or multiple processors for parallel processing. Computer system 1401 also includes memory or memory locations 1410 (e.g., random access memory, read-only memory, flash memory), an electronic storage unit 1415 (e.g., a hard disk), a communication interface 1420 (e.g., a network adapter) for communicating with one or more other systems, and peripheral devices 1425, such as cache, other memory, data storage devices, and / or electronic display adapters. Memory 1410, storage unit 1415, interface 1420, and peripheral devices 1425 communicate with CPU 1405 through a communication bus (solid lines) such as a motherboard. Storage unit 1415 may be a data storage unit (or data repository) for storing data. Computer system 1401 can be operatively coupled to a computer network (“network”) 1430 using communication interface 1420. Network 1430 can be the Internet, an intranet, and / or an extranet, or an intranet and / or extranet in communication with the Internet. Network 1430, in some cases, is a telecommunications and / or data network. Network 1430 can include one or more computer servers, which may enable distributed computing such as cloud computing. Network 1430 can, in some cases, implement a peer-to-peer network with computer system 1401, which may enable devices coupled to computer system 1401 to act as clients or servers.

[0167] CPU 1405 can execute sequences of machine-readable instructions, which may be embodied in a program or software. The instructions may be stored in a memory location, such as memory 1410. The instructions can be directed to CPU 1405, which can subsequently program or otherwise configure CPU 1405 to implement the methods of the present disclosure. Examples of operations performed by CPU 1405 can include fetch, decode, execute, and writeback.

[0168] The CPU 1405 may be part of a circuit, such as an integrated circuit. One or more other components of the system 1401 may be included in the circuit. In some cases, the circuit is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0169] The storage unit 1415 may store files such as drivers, libraries, and saved programs. The storage unit 1415 may store user data, e.g., user preferences and user programs. The computer system 1401 may include one or more additional data storage units, in some cases located outside the computer system 1401 (e.g., on a remote server in communication with the computer system 1401 through an intranet or the Internet).

[0170] Computer system 1401 can communicate with one or more remote computer systems through network 1430. For example, computer system 1401 can communicate with a remote computer system of a user (e.g., a patient, subject, doctor, medical operator, surgical operator, nurse, surgeon, etc.). Examples of remote computer systems include a personal computer (e.g., a portable PC), a slate or tablet PC (e.g., an Apple® iPad®, a Samsung Galaxy Tab), a telephone, a smartphone (e.g., an Apple® iPhone®, an Android®-enabled device, a Blackberry®), or a personal digital assistant. A user can access computer system 1401 via network 1430.

[0171] Methods as described herein can be implemented using machine (e.g., computer processor) executable code stored on electronic storage locations of computer system 1401, such as memory 1410 or electronic storage unit 1415. The machine-executable or machine-readable code can be provided in the form of software. During use, the code can be executed by processor 1405. In some cases, the code can be read from storage unit 1415 and stored on memory 1410 for rapid access by processor 1405. In some situations, electronic storage unit 1415 can be omitted, and machine-executable instructions are stored on memory 1410.

[0172] The code can be pre-compiled and configured for use with a machine having a processor adapted to execute the code, or can be compiled during run-time. The code can be supplied in a programming language that can be selected to allow the code to be executed in a pre-compiled or as-compiled manner.

[0173] Aspects of the systems and methods provided herein, such as computer system 1401, can be embodied in programming. Various aspects of the present technology may be considered a "product" or "article of manufacture," typically in the form of machine (or processor) executable code and / or associated data carried on or embodied in some type of machine-readable medium. The machine-executable code can be stored on an electronic storage unit, such as memory (e.g., read-only memory, random-access memory, flash memory) or a hard disk. A "storage" type medium may include any or all of the tangible memory of a computer, processor, or equivalent, or its associated modules, such as various semiconductor memories, tape drives, disk drives, and the like, which may provide non-transitory storage at any time for software programming. All or portions of the software may be communicated from time to time over the Internet or various other telecommunications networks. Such communication may, for example, enable loading of the software from one computer or processor to another, for example, from a management server or host computer to an application server computer platform. Thus, other types of media that may carry software elements include optical, electrical, and electromagnetic waves, such as those used across physical interfaces between local devices, through wired and optical fixed networks, and via various air links. Physical elements that carry such waves, such as wired or wireless links, optical links, or the like, may also be considered software-bearing media. As used herein, unless limited to non-transitory tangible "storage" media, terms such as computer or machine "readable medium" refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution.

[0174] Thus, machine-readable media such as computer-executable code may take many forms, including, but not limited to, tangible storage media, carrier wave media, or physical transmission media. For example, non-volatile storage media, including optical or magnetic disks, or any storage device within any computer or equivalent, may be used to implement databases, etc., shown in the figures. Volatile storage media include dynamic memory, such as the main memory of such a computer platform. Tangible transmission media include coaxial cables, i.e., copper wire and optical fiber, including the wires that comprise a bus within a computer system. Carrier wave transmission media may take the form of electric or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media thus include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, any other magnetic media, CD-ROMs, DVDs or DVD-ROMs, any other optical media, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical storage media with patterns of holes, RAM, ROM, PROMs and EPROMs, FLASH-EPROMs, any other memory chips or cartridges, carrier waves that transmit data or instructions, cables or links that transmit such carrier waves, or any other medium from which a computer may read programming code and / or data. Many of these forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor for execution.

[0175] The computer system 1401 may include or communicate with an electronic display 1435 with a user interface (UI) 1440 to provide, for example, a portal for modulating and controlling multiple illumination sources and / or the movement of a movable plate relative to the multiple illumination sources. In some cases, the portal may be used to render, view, monitor, and / or manipulate one or more images or camera frames generated based, in part, on the reflection and / or deflection of the combined light beams from a target region inside the subject's body. The portal may be provided through an application programming interface (API). A user or entity may also interact with various elements within the portal via the UI. Examples of a UI include, but are not limited to, a graphical user interface (GUI) and a web-based user interface.

[0176] The methods and systems of the present disclosure can be implemented using one or more algorithms. The algorithms can be implemented using software, responsive to execution by the central processing unit 1405. The algorithms can be configured to (a) generate one or more light beams using an illumination source, (b) direct the one or more light beams to a movable plate, (c) generate one or more light pulses from the one or more light beams, (d) direct the one or more light pulses to a light-aggregating module, (e) combine the one or more light pulses into a combined light signal, (f) provide the combined light signal to a scope, and (g) direct the combined light beam onto a target area within a subject's body.

[0177] While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific examples provided herein. While the present disclosure has been described with reference to the foregoing specification, the description and illustration of the embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the present disclosure. Furthermore, it should be understood that all aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific depictions, configurations, or relative proportions set forth herein, which depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is contemplated that the present disclosure also covers any such alternatives, modifications, variations, or equivalents. The following claims define the scope of the present disclosure, and it is intended that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Claims

1. 1. A system for illuminating a target area of ​​a subject's body, comprising: a plurality of illumination sources comprising: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more coherent laser light sources configured to generate one or more coherent laser light beams; a movable plate comprising a plurality of cutouts, the movable plate (i) optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources; and (ii) configured to move to (a) control exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the plurality of cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate; and (b) generate one or more light pulses based on the controlled exposure of the one or more illumination sources; Equipped with the movable plate is optically aligned with the one or more coherent laser light sources; the white light source is positioned relative to the movable plate such that the white light beam does not pass through the movable plate; the plurality of illumination sources further comprising: (iii) an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source configured to generate an ICG excitation light beam that causes a fluorescent dye to fluoresce; The ICG excitation light source is positioned relative to the movable plate such that the ICG excitation beam does not pass through the movable plate.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the movable plate is configured to rotate relative to the one or more illumination sources.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of cutouts comprises a notch on the movable plate.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of cutouts comprises a plurality of notches arranged on different portions of the movable plate.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of cutouts comprises one or more annular-shaped openings on the movable plate.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the movable plate comprises a low transmittance material configured to prevent transmission of light through one or more solid portions of the movable plate.

7. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more coherent laser light sources comprise two or more laser light sources configured to generate two or more laser light beams having different wavelengths.

8. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the two or more laser light sources comprise a gas laser, a chemical laser, a liquid laser, a dye laser, a metal vapor laser, a solid-state laser, or a semiconductor laser.

9. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the two or more laser sources comprise an infrared laser, a near-infrared laser, a short-wavelength infrared laser, a mid-wavelength infrared laser, a long-wavelength infrared laser, or a far-infrared laser.

10. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the two or more laser light sources are configured to generate two or more laser light beams with wavelengths from about 700 nanometers (nm) to about 1 millimeter (mm).

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the movable plate and the white light source do not share a common optical axis.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more light pulses are obtained from the one or more coherent laser light beams.

13. an optical-concentrating module configured to (i) combine (a) the one or more light pulses obtained from the one or more coherent laser light beams with (b) the white light beam, (c) generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto the target area; The system of claim 12 further comprising:

14. 1. A system for illuminating a target area of ​​a subject's body, comprising: a plurality of illumination sources comprising: (i) a white light source configured to generate a white light beam; and (ii) one or more coherent laser light sources configured to generate one or more coherent laser light beams; a movable plate comprising a plurality of cutouts, the movable plate (i) optically aligned with one or more of the plurality of illumination sources; and (ii) configured to move to (a) control exposure of the one or more illumination sources through the plurality of cutouts for a predetermined frame capture rate; and (b) generate one or more light pulses based on the controlled exposure of the one or more illumination sources; Equipped with the movable plate is optically aligned with the one or more coherent laser light sources; the white light beam from the white light source is continuously transmitted by the movable plate without being affected or separated into pulses; the plurality of illumination sources further comprising: (iii) an indocyanine green (ICG) excitation light source configured to generate an ICG excitation light beam that causes a fluorescent dye to fluoresce; The ICG excitation light source is positioned relative to the movable plate such that the ICG excitation beam does not pass through the movable plate.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the movable plate is configured to rotate relative to the one or more illumination sources.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein one or more of the plurality of cutouts comprises a notch on the movable plate.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein one or more of the plurality of cutouts comprises a plurality of notches arranged on different portions of the movable plate.

18. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein one or more of the plurality of cutouts comprises one or more annular-shaped openings on the movable plate.

19. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the movable plate comprises a low transmittance material configured to prevent transmission of light through one or more solid portions of the movable plate.

20. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more coherent laser light sources comprise two or more laser light sources configured to generate two or more laser light beams having different wavelengths.

21. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the two or more laser light sources comprise a gas laser, a chemical laser, a liquid laser, a dye laser, a metal vapor laser, a solid-state laser, or a semiconductor laser.

22. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the two or more laser sources comprise an infrared laser, a near-infrared laser, a short-wavelength infrared laser, a mid-wavelength infrared laser, a long-wavelength infrared laser, or a far-infrared laser.

23. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the two or more laser light sources are configured to generate two or more laser light beams with wavelengths from about 700 nanometers (nm) to about 1 millimeter (mm).

24. The system of claim 14 , wherein the movable plate and the white light source do not share a common optical axis.

25. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more light pulses are obtained from the one or more coherent laser light beams.

26. an optical-concentrating module configured to (i) combine (a) the one or more light pulses obtained from the one or more coherent laser light beams with (b) the white light beam, (c) generate a combined light beam, and (ii) provide the combined light beam to a scope insertable into the subject's body and configured to direct the combined light beam onto the target area; The system of claim 14 further comprising:

Images