Optical detection with controllable detector integration synchronization

Abstract

In an optical detection device, a light source can have a characteristic, such as generating pulsed illumination or generating continuous illumination. An optical fiber can collect, as collected light, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample in response to illumination generated by the light source. An optical detector can receive at least some of the collected light, convert the collected light to photoelectrons, accumulate the photoelectrons only during a controllable integration duration, and generate a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons. The optical detector can synchronize a controllable start time and a controllable end time of the integration duration based at least in part on the characteristic of the light source. For example, the integration duration start and end times can be synchronized to corresponding start and end times of illumination pulses. An analyzer can measure a spectrum of the collected fight from the detector signal.

Description

OPTICAL DETECTION WITH CONTROLLABLE DETECTOR INTEGRATION SYNCHRONIZATION CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 661,229, filed June 18, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] This document relates generally to optical detection devices, and more specifically relates to endoscopic systems. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] An operator, such as a physician, practitioner, or user, can use an endoscope to provide visual access to an internal location of a patient. The operator can insert an endoscope into a patient’s body. The endoscope can deliver light to a target being examined, such as a target anatomy or object. The endoscope can collect light that is returned from the object. The returned light can carry information about the target being examined. SUMMARY

[0004] In an example, an optical detection device can comprise: a light source having a characteristic; an optical fiber configured to collect, as collected light, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample in response to illumination generated by the light source; an optical detector configured to: receive at least some of the collected light; convert the collected light to photoelectrons; accumulate the photoelectrons only during a controllable integration duration; and generate a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons, wherein the optical detector is configured to synchronize a controllable start time and a controllable end time of the integration duration based at least in part on the characteristic of the light source; and an analyzer configured to measure data corresponding to a spectrum of the collected light from the detector signal. Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1

[0005] In an example, a medical device for treating an anatomical region in a patient’s body can comprise: a light source illuminating light to the anatomical region, the light source having a characteristic; an optical fiber configured to collect, as collected light, light that is reflected or emitted from the anatomical region in response to the illumination on the anatomical region; an optical detector configured to: receive at least some of the collected light; convert the collected light to photoelectrons; accumulate the photoelectrons only during a controllable integration duration; and generate a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons, wherein the optical detector is configured to synchronize a controllable start time and a controllable end time of the integration duration based at least in part on the characteristic of the light source; processor circuitry configured to identify a characteristic of the anatomical region based at least in part on the collected light from the detector signal; and an energy applicator for directing therapeutic energy to the anatomical region based at least in part on the identified characteristic of the anatomical region.

[0006] In an example, a method for operating a spectroscopic detection device can comprise: determining, with processor circuitry, whether a light source is pulsed or continuous; collecting, as collected light, with an optical fiber, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample in response to illumination generated by the light source; receiving, with a spectrometer detector, at least some of the collected light; converting, with the spectrometer detector, the collected light to photoelectrons; synchronizing, in response to the processor circuitry determining that the light source is pulsed, controllable start times and controllable end times of corresponding integration durations of the spectrometer detector to light pulses of the illumination; accumulating, with the spectrometer detector, the photoelectrons only during the integration durations; generating, with the spectrometer detector, a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons; and measuring, with a spectrometer spectrum analyzer, data corresponding to a spectrum of the collected light from the detector signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a side-view schematic drawing of an example of an optical detection device. Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1

[0008] FIG. 2 shows a first example of a configuration for setting the integration durations based on durations of illumination pulses of the light source.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows a second example of a configuration for setting the integration durations based on durations of illumination pulses of the light source.

[0010] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of an example of a method for operating a spectroscopic detection device.

[0011] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a computer-based clinical decision support system that can control integration durations in response to a trigger signal that indicates start and end times of illumination pulses. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In an optical detection device, a light source can have a characteristic, such as being configured to generate pulsed illumination or being configured to generate continuous illumination. An optical fiber can collect, as collected light, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample in response to illumination generated by the light source. An optical detector can receive at least some of the collected light, convert the collected light to photoelectrons, accumulate the photoelectrons only during a controllable integration duration, and generate a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons. The optical detector can synchronize a controllable start time and a controllable end time of the integration duration based at least in part on the characteristic of the light source. For example, the integration duration can have start and end times that can be synchronized to corresponding start and end times of illumination pulses. An analyzer can measure a spectrum of the collected light from the detector signal. There can be benefits, such as described in detail below, to synchronizing the integration start time and integration end time of the optical detector to the start and end times of illumination pulses.

[0013] Further, because an optical detection device may use replaceable light sources of different types, it may be beneficial to first determine whether the light source generates continuous light or pulsed light. If the light source generates pulsed light, then the optical detection device can synchronize the integration start time and integration end time of the optical detector to the start and end times of illumination pulses, as described Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1above. Synchronizing the integration times in this manner can help reduce noise in the measurement of light returning from a sample.

[0014] If the light source generates continuous light, the optical detection device can start and end the integration duration at suitable times for the measurement, such as without requiring use of a specific input or trigger signal from the light source to start or end the integration duration of the optical detector. In addition, for cases in which a system can deliver therapeutic light pulses to a sample, synchronizing the integration duration of the detector can help prevent performing detection while the system is delivering the therapeutic light to the sample, because the therapeutic light can react with the sample and may change the composition or other properties of the sample. For example, if the light source is a Xenon light source, the integration time of the spectrometer need not be a sum of an “on” duration and an “off” duration of a light pulse, but can be any duration, taken at any time interval, as long as the integration time associated with the Xenon light source is longer than the integration time associated with an LED light source.

[0015] Typically, the intensity of light emitting from the light source may be adjusted by changing the intensity and / or duty cycle of pulses light from the light source. In one embodiment, the adjustment is in synchronization with the AC power supply frequency (e.g., 60 Hz in the U.S. or 50 Hz in Europe). For example, the intensity of LED light sources can be changed by adjusting the intensity and / or duty cycle of the pulses, whereas the intensity of Xenon light sources can be changed by adjusting the intensity of the continuous emission. During operation of an endoscopic procedure, to achieve the same average brightness in the field of view regardless the type of the light source being used, the continuous intensity of a Xenon light source (if used) may be lower than the pulse intensity of an LED light source (if used) when it is turned on (“ON duration”). In addition, to capture all the light emitted in a given LED light source pulse period, the integration time of the optical detection device may be configured to be equivalent to the LED ON duration within that period. To capture a similar amount of light from a Xenon light source illuminating a field of view with the same average brightness as the LED light source, the integration time of the optical detection device may be substantially equivalent to the full pulse period of the LED light source – i.e., ON Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1duration + OFF duration (i.e., when the LED light source is turned off) within one period.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a side-view schematic drawing of an example of an optical detection device 100. The configuration of FIG. 1 is but one example of an optical detection device 100. Other suitable configurations can also be used.

[0017] The optical detection device 100 can include a light source 110 to generate broadband light 112 or broadband illumination. The optical detection device 100 can direct the broadband light 112 toward a sample 98 to analyze the sample 98, such as by determining a reflection spectrum of the sample 98, comparing the reflected spectrum to reflection spectra stored in a database, and determining a characteristic, such as a composition, of the sample 98 from the comparisons. In some examples, the sample 98 can be an anatomical region of a patient. In some examples, an energy applicator can direct therapeutic energy to the anatomical region based at least in part on the identified characteristic of the anatomical region.

[0018] The light source 110 can have a characteristic. Two examples follow that relate the characteristic of the light source 110 to light produced by the light source 110.

[0019] A first example of a characteristic of the light source 110 is being configured to generate pulsed illumination when operational. For example, the light source 110 can include a light-emitting diode (LED), such as a white-light LED. For configurations in which the optical detection device 100 includes or is included in an endoscope 190, the LED can optionally be disposed away from the endoscope 190 and tethered to the endoscope 190 by an optical fiber 114 that delivers the broadband light 112 from the LED to the endoscope 190. The LED can include or be coupled to control circuitry that drives the LED. The control circuitry can control a time-averaged intensity of the LED (such as averaged over a frame of a camera or averaged as perceived by a human eye) such as by pulse-width modulation. In pulse-width modulation, the control circuitry can direct a single value of voltage or current to the LED in pulses (e.g., alternating between an operational condition at the single value of voltage or current and a non-operational conditional at a value of zero volts or zero amperes). The control circuitry can control the time-averaged intensity of the LED by controlling a duty cycle (e.g., a length of the pulses in the operational state, compared to a length between the Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1pulses in the non-operational state) of the pulses. Similarly, a laser diode is another example of a light source than 110 that can generate pulsed illumination when operational.

[0020] A second example of a characteristic of the light source 110 is being configured to generate (e.g., non-pulsed) illumination when operational. For example, the light source 110 can include an arc lamp, such as a Xenon arc lamp or a Xenon light source. For configurations in which the optical detection device 100 includes or is included in an endoscope 190, the arc lamp can optionally be disposed away from the endoscope 190 and tethered to the endoscope 190 by an optical fiber 114 that delivers the broadband light 112 from the arc lamp to the endoscope 190. The control circuitry that drives the arc lamp can control the intensity of the arc lamp by controlling the value of voltage or current to the arc lamp. The control circuitry can change the value of voltage or current relatively slowly (e.g., much slower than a frame rate of a typical video camera), so that the intensity of the arc lamp may change relatively slowly. As a result, the output of the arc lamp may be considered to be non-pulsed.

[0021] In some configurations, an LED can produce light that is either continuous or pulsed, depending on an intensity setting. For example, at relatively low intensities, the LED can produce light that is pulsed. At relatively high intensities, the LED can produce light that is continuous (e.g., non-pulsed). Other configurations are also possible.

[0022] The optical detection device 100 can include an optical fiber 120. The optical fiber 120 can collect, as collected light 122, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample 98 in response to the broadband light 112 generated by the light source 110. For configurations in which the optical detection device 100 includes or is included in an endoscope 190, the optical fiber 120 can extend distally from a distal end 192 of the endoscope 190, toward the sample 98. For example, the optical detection device 100 can include an elongated endoscope body that is positionable proximate the sample 98, the optical fiber 120 can extend along the elongated endoscope body to a distal end of the elongated endoscope body, and the optical fiber 120 can have a distal end that can collect the collected light 122. The optical fiber 120 can be a multimode fiber. During some times at which the optical detection device 100 is not acquiring data for determining the Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1composition of the sample 98, the optical fiber 120 can direct therapeutic light 172 (e.g., high-powered pulses in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, generated by a therapeutic light source 170) to the sample 98, such as a kidney stone. The therapeutic light 172 can be absorbed by the sample 98 and cause thermal stresses in the sample 98 that can break the sample 98 into smaller fragments. The therapeutic light source 170 and the optical fiber 120 may be referred to as an energy applicator. A beamsplitter 174 can direct the therapeutic light 172 into the optical fiber 120 and can direct the collected light 122 to an optical detector, away from the therapeutic light source 170.

[0023] The optical detection device 100 can include an optical detector 130, such as a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) detector, a charge-coupled device (CCD), or other suitable detector type. The optical detector 130 can include a photosensitive element 132, such as a sensor, that can produce an electrical current or voltage in response to receiving incident light. The photosensitive element 132 can be a multi-pixel sensor, such as an imaging sensor, or can be a non-imaging sensor (e.g., one big pixel). The optical detector 130 can include detector electronics 134, which can controllably store charge from the photosensitive element 132 and can produce an electrical signal that can be read by another circuit, such as a spectrum analyzer, a controller, or processor circuitry. Detector saturation can occur when the detector electronics 134 receive more charge than the detector electronics 134 can storage, over the duration of the detector integration time. The detector electronics 134 can control the detector integration time, such as by controlling at least one of a start time and an end time, with the detector integration time corresponding to a time interval or duration between the start time and the end time. For configurations in which the optical detection device 100 includes or is included in an endoscope 190, the optical detector 130 can be located to receive light that enters the optical fiber 120 and propagates proximally along a length of the optical fiber 120. In some configurations, the optical detection device 100 can include a spectrometer, and the optical detector 130 can include a spectrometer detector.

[0024] The optical detector 130 can receive at least some of the collected light 122 (e.g., at least a portion of the light that is reflected or emitted by a sample 98 in Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1response to broadband light 112 generated by the light source 110). The optical detector 130 can convert the collected light 122 to photoelectrons. The optical detector 130 can accumulate the photoelectrons only during a controllable integration duration. The optical detector 130 can generate a detector signal 136, such as an electrical detector signal, from the accumulated photoelectrons. For configurations in which the optical detector 130 is pixelated (e.g., includes multiple pixels such as an array of pixels), the detector signal 136 can include multiple detector pixel signals, such as a detector pixel signal for each pixel or subset of pixels of the optical detector 130.

[0025] The optical detection device 100 can include an analyzer 140, such as a spectrum analyzer, that can measure data corresponding to a spectrum of the collected light 122 from the detector signal 136. The analyzer 140 can produce a spectrum analysis electrical signal 142 that can be read by another electrical device, such as a controller or processor circuitry. The spectrum analysis electrical signal 142 can be analog, digital, or a combination of analog and digital. In some examples, the data corresponding to the spectrum can include a continuous spectrum, or a spectrum formed from uniformly spaced discrete wavelengths or wavelength regions. In some examples, the data corresponding to the spectrum can include measurements at one or more specified discrete wavelengths or wavelength regions.

[0026] The optical detection device 100 can include processor circuitry 150. The processor circuitry 150 can include or be included in a spectrometer controller. The processor circuitry 150 can identify a characteristic of the sample 98 based at least in part on the measured spectrum, such as by comparing the measured spectrum to a database of stored spectra, selecting the stored spectrum that most closely matches the measured spectrum, and providing an indication of a material or combination of materials that corresponds to the selected stored spectrum. The processor circuitry 150 may be implemented purely in software, purely in hardware, or as a combination of software and hardware. The processor circuitry 150 may be implemented on a single processor or on multiple processors. For processor circuitry configurations that utilize multiple processors, the processors may be housed in a common housing, or at least two of the multiple processors may be spaced apart in different housings. The processor circuitry 150 can include one or more processors, and memory containing instructions that are Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1executable by the one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to perform operations. Examples of such operations are detailed below.

[0027] Two examples follow that describe how the processor circuitry 150 can determine the characteristic of the light source 110, such as being configured to generate pulsed illumination when operational or being configured to generate continuous illumination when operational.

[0028] In a first example, the processor circuitry 150 can receive input from a user interface 158, the input indicating whether the light source 110 is pulsed or continuous. For example, a user can select a light source type from a specified or predetermined list of light source types. The list can include part names or other suitable identifiers that may be familiar to the user. As another example, the processor circuitry 150 can cause the user interface 158 to prompt the user to select one of a specified plurality of light source types. The user interface 158 can include a computer monitor, a display, a touch-sensitive display, or other suitable device for displaying information to a user and receiving input from the user. The processor circuitry 150 can receive, from the user interface 158, a selection of a selected light source type from the specified plurality of light source types. The processor circuitry 150 can submit, to a light source database that associates light source types with corresponding characteristics, a query that provides the selected light source type. The processor circuitry 150 can retrieve, from the light source type database, data corresponding to whether the light source 110 produces light that is pulsed or continuous.

[0029] In a second example, the processor circuitry 150 can automatically determine, without input from a user interface such as user interface 158, whether the light source 110 is pulsed or continuous. For example, light source 110 data can be encoded as machine-readable data in or on the light source 110. For example, the processor circuitry 150 can cause a radiofrequency identification tag reader to read light source 110 data from a radio frequency identification tag associated with the light source 110. The light source 110 data can indicate whether the light source 110 is pulsed or continuous. As another example, the processor circuitry 150 can direct a query electrical signal to the light source 110 and receive a response electrical signal generated by the light source 110 in response to the query electrical signal. The response electrical signal Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1can indicate whether the light source 110 is pulsed or continuous. As another example, the light source 110 can include a bar code, such as a QR code. The optical detection device 100 can include a bar code reader that can read data from the bar code. As another example, the light source 110 can include an electrical circuit. The optical detection device 100 can include a circuit reader that can read data from the electrical circuit. Other suitable machine-readable data can also be used.

[0030] The optical detector 130 can perform the synchronizations in response to a trigger signal 116, which can be optical or electrical in nature. In some examples, the light source 110 can generate the trigger signal 116. In some examples, the processor circuitry 150 can generate the trigger signal 116, and the light source 110 can turn on and off in response to the trigger signal 116, such as at times specified by the trigger signal 116. In a specific example, the trigger signal 116 can be electrical and can toggle between two voltage levels, with the transitions between the voltage levels occurring at times that correspond to turning on the light source 110 or turning off the light source 110. The optical detector 130 can receive the trigger signal 116 from the light source 110. The trigger signal 116 can indicate at least one of beginning or ending illumination of the light source 110. The trigger signal 116 can include a trigger signal pulse. The trigger signal pulse can have a trigger signal pulse rising edge that coincides with one of beginning of the illumination or end of the illumination. The trigger signal pulse can have a trigger signal pulse falling edge that coincides with the other of the beginning of the illumination or the end of the illumination.

[0031] In some examples, the processor circuitry 150 can communicate duty cycle data to the optical detector 130. The duty cycle data can represent a duty cycle of an illumination pulse of the light source 110. The optical detector 130 can synchronize the controllable start time and the controllable end time to the illumination pulse using the trigger signal 116 and the duty cycle.

[0032] The optical detector 130 can synchronize a controllable start time and a controllable end time of the integration duration based at least in part on the characteristic of the light source 110. The optical detector 130 can set a relatively shorter integration duration when illumination of the light source 110 is pulsed compared to a relatively longer integration duration when illumination of the light source 110 is Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1continuous. In response to the determining that the illumination of the light source 110 is pulsed, the processor circuitry 150 can cause the optical detector 130 to set the integration duration based on a duration of an illumination pulse of the light source 110. Two examples follow that describe how the processor circuitry 150 can set the integration duration based on a duration of an illumination pulse of the light source 110.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a first example of a configuration for setting the integration durations based on durations of illumination pulses 200 of the light source 110. In the configuration of FIG. 2, the optical detector 130 can synchronize the controllable start time to a corresponding beginning of the illumination pulse of the light source 110 and synchronize the controllable end time to a corresponding ending of the illumination pulse of the light source 110.

[0034] In the example of FIG. 2, illumination pulses 200 begin at times T1, T3, and T5, and end at times T2, T4, and T6. The light source 110 or the processor circuitry 150 can generate a trigger signal 116 that corresponds to the times T1 through T6. The optical detector 130 can receive the trigger signal 116 and set integration durations that synchronize with the times T1 through T6.

[0035] In the example of FIG. 2, the optical detector 130 has synchronized integration durations to the illumination pulses 200, so that integration duration 202A extends from time T1 to time T2, integration duration 202B extends from time T3 to time T4, and integration duration 202C extends from time T5 to time T6. The optical detector 130 accumulates photoelectrons during the integration durations, such as between times T1 and T2, between times T3 and T4, and between times T5 and T6. The optical detector 130 may not accumulate photoelectrons between the integration durations, such as between times T2 and T3 and times T4 and T5.

[0036] Synchronizing in this manner can be beneficial for detection techniques that use light that is reflected from the sample 98 (e.g., light that is instantaneously reflected, as opposed to luminescence, which can include a time delay between absorption and emission). For such detection techniques, synchronizing in this manner can help reduce eliminate between-pulse noise at the optical detector 130. For example, for a procedure that analyzes a sample 98 using pulsed light that is reflected from the sample 98, the return light that provides information about the sample 98 is present only 11 Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1when the pulsed light is on. When the pulsed light is off (e.g., between pulses), the return light may include noise, and may not provide any information about the sample 98. As a result, synchronizing the integration start times to the start times of the illumination pulses and synchronizing the integration end times to the end times of the illumination pulses can help reduce or eliminate the between-pulse noise at the optical detector 130.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a second example of a configuration for setting the integration durations based on durations of illumination pulses 300 of the light source 110. In the configuration of FIG. 3, the optical detector 130 can synchronize the controllable start time to a corresponding ending of the illumination pulse of the light source 110 and synchronize the controllable end time to a corresponding beginning of the illumination pulse of the light source 110.

[0038] In the example of FIG. 3, illumination pulses 300 begin at times T2, T4, and T6, and end at times T1, T3, and T5. The light source 110 or the processor circuitry 150 can generate a trigger signal 116 that corresponds to the times T1 through T6. The optical detector 130 can receive the trigger signal 116 and set integration durations that synchro4nize with the times T1 through T6.

[0039] In the example of FIG. 3, the optical detector 130 has synchronized integration durations to the illumination pulses 300, so that integration duration 302A extends from time T1 to time T2, integration duration 302B extends from time T3 to time T4, and integration duration 302C extends from time T5 to time T6. The optical detector 130 accumulates photoelectrons during the integration durations, such as between times T1 and T2, between times T3 and T4, and between times T5 and T6. The optical detector 130 may not accumulate photoelectrons between the integration durations, such as between times T2 and T3 and times T4 and T5.

[0040] Synchronizing in this manner can be beneficial for detection techniques that use luminescence. Luminescence can include phosphorescence, which can have decay times on the order of microseconds to days. Luminescence can also include fluorescence, which can have decay times on the order of nanoseconds to microseconds. In general, luminescence can have a characteristic decay time that can extend past when the illuminating light has turned off. Because of the characteristic decay time, the return Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1light between the pulses can provide luminescence information about the sample 98 in the absence of excitation light. When the pulsed light is on, the luminescence information may still be present, but the excitation light may overwhelm the luminescence information at the optical detector 130. As a result, synchronizing the integration start times to the end times of the illumination pulses and synchronizing the integration end times to the start times of the illumination pulses can help reduce or eliminate the background excitation light at the optical detector 130, and thereby improve a sensitivity of the fluorescence information at the optical detector 130.

[0041] There can be alternative techniques for reducing the noise associated with between-pulse accumulation of photoelectrons at the optical detector 130. Some of these alternate techniques may not rely on precise synchronization with the illumination pulses, and may therefore not require use of a trigger signal or relatively tight timing tolerances.

[0042] For example, in an example of an optical detection device 100 using an alternative technique for reducing the between-pulse noise, an optical fiber 120 can collect, as collected light 122, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample 98 in response to illumination, such as broadband light 112, generated by a pulsed light source, such as the light source 110 when operating in a pulsed mode. An optical detector 130 can take sequential measurements of the collected light 122 to form sequential detector signals.

[0043] For sequential measurements that are not strictly synchronized to the light pulses, one portion of a measurement may occur when the light source 110 is on, while another portion of the same measurement may occur when the light source 110 is off. The sequential detector signals, which correspond to a time-averaged or an integrated measurement, can therefore vary in amplitude from signal to signal. For example, a sequential detector signal during which the light source 110 is mostly on can have a greater amplitude than a sequential detector signal during which the light source 110 is mostly off. This variation in amplitude can be used to identify how much between-pulse noise is present in the sequential detector signals. Specifically, when a sequential detector signal has a relatively low amplitude, then it follows that the sequential detector signal has a relatively long detection duration spent while the light source 110 is off, and Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1therefore has a relatively large amount of between-pulse noise. By discarding sequential detector signals that have relatively low amplitude, the optical detector 130 can retain the sequential detector signals that have relatively low or reduced between-pulse noise, and can therefore produce more robust spectral measurements using only the retained sequential detector signals.

[0044] In other words, processor circuitry, such as the processor circuitry 150, can select the sequential detector signals that are greater than a specified threshold to form a first subset of detector signals. An analyzer, such as the analyzer 140, can measure data corresponding to a spectrum of the collected light from the first subset of detector signals.

[0045] The sequential detector signals that are less than the specified threshold can correspond to sequential measurements that are taken between light pulses of the pulsed light source. The optical detector 130 can take the sequential measurements at a measurement repetition rate that is not synchronized to the pulsed light source.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of an example of a method 400 for operating a spectroscopic detection device, such as the optical detection device 100 (FIG. 1). The method 400 is but one example of a method for operating a spectroscopic detection device. Other methods can also be used.

[0047] At operation 402, processor circuitry can determine whether a light source is pulsed or continuous.

[0048] At operation 404, an optical fiber can collect, as collected light, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample in response to illumination generated by the light source.

[0049] At operation 406, a spectrometer detector can receive at least some of the collected light.

[0050] At operation 408, the spectrometer detector can convert the collected light to photoelectrons.

[0051] At operation 410, in response to the processor circuitry determining that the light source is pulsed, the spectrometer detector can synchronize controllable start times and controllable end times of corresponding integration durations of the spectrometer detector to light pulses of the illumination. Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1

[0052] At operation 412, the spectrometer detector can accumulate the photoelectrons only during the integration durations.

[0053] At operation 414, the spectrometer detector can generate a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons.

[0054] At operation 416, a spectrometer spectrum analyzer can measure data corresponding to a spectrum of the collected light from the detector signal.

[0055] The spectrometer detector can optionally synchronize the controllable start times to corresponding beginnings of the light pulses and synchronizes the controllable end times to corresponding endings of the light pulses.

[0056] The spectrometer detector can optionally accumulate the photoelectrons only during the light pulses.

[0057] The processor circuitry can optionally further perform reflectance spectroscopy on the measured spectrum to identify a composition of the sample.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a computer-based clinical decision support system (CDSS) 500 that can control integration durations (e.g. optical detector integration start times and optical detector integration end times) in response to a trigger signal that indicates start and end times of illumination pulses. In various embodiments, the CDSS 500 includes an input interface 502 through which a user can provide input regarding whether the light source is pulsed or continuous to an artificial intelligence (AI) model 504, a processor which performs an inference operation in which the input is applied to the AI model, and a user interface (UI) or output interface 508 through which a determination may be communicated to a user, e.g., a clinician.

[0059] In some embodiments, the input interface 502 may be a direct data link between the CDSS 500 and one or more medical devices, such as the optical detector, which can provide the trigger signal. For example, the input interface 502 may transmit data directly to the CDSS during a therapeutic and / or diagnostic medical procedure. Additionally, or alternatively, the input interface 502 may be a classical user interface that facilitates interaction between a user and the CDSS 500. For example, the input interface 502 may facilitate a user interface through which the user may manually enter data. Additionally, or alternatively, the input interface 502 may provide the CDSS 500 Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1with access to an electronic patient record from which one or more input features may be extracted. In any of these cases, the input interface 502 is configured to collect the parameter value in association with a specific patient on or before a time at which the CDSS 500 is used to assess the medical condition addressed by the optical detection device 100, such as a kidney stone.

[0060] Based on one or more of the above input features, the processor, such as processor circuitry 150, performs an inference operation using the AI model to generate the determination. For example, input interface 502 may deliver the at least one physical parameter of the user-replaceable optical fiber into an input layer of the AI model which propagates this input feature through the AI model to an output layer. The AI model can provide a computer system the ability to perform tasks, without explicitly being programmed, by making inferences based on patterns found in the analysis of data. AI model explores the study and construction of algorithms (e.g., machine-learning algorithms) that may learn from existing data and make predictions about new data. Such algorithms operate by building an AI model from example training data in order to make data-driven predictions or decisions expressed as outputs or assessments.

[0061] There are two modes for machine learning (ML): supervised ML and unsupervised ML. Supervised ML uses prior knowledge (e.g., examples that correlate inputs to outputs or outcomes) to learn the relationships between the inputs and the outputs. The goal of supervised ML is to learn a function that, given some training data, best approximates the relationship between the training inputs and outputs so that the ML model can implement the same relationships when given inputs to generate the corresponding outputs. Unsupervised ML is the training of an ML algorithm using information that is neither classified nor labeled and allowing the algorithm to act on that information without guidance. Unsupervised ML is useful in exploratory analysis because it can automatically identify structure in data.

[0062] Common tasks for supervised ML are classification problems and regression problems. Classification problems, also referred to as categorization problems, aim at classifying items into one of several category values (for example, is this object an apple or an orange?). Regression algorithms aim at quantifying some items (for example, by providing a score to the value of some input). Some examples of Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1commonly used supervised-ML algorithms are Logistic Regression (LR), Naive-Bayes, Random Forest (RF), neural networks (NN), deep neural networks (DNN), matrix factorization, and Support Vector Machines (SVM).

[0063] Some common tasks for unsupervised ML include clustering, representation learning, and density estimation. Some examples of commonly used unsupervised-ML algorithms are K-means clustering, principal component analysis, and autoencoders.

[0064] Another type of ML is federated learning (also known as collaborative learning) that trains an algorithm across multiple decentralized devices holding local data, without exchanging the data. This approach stands in contrast to traditional centralized machine-learning techniques where all the local datasets are uploaded to one server, as well as to more classical decentralized approaches which often assume that local data samples are identically distributed. Federated learning enables multiple actors to build a common, robust machine learning model without sharing data, thus allowing to address critical issues such as data privacy, data security, data access rights and access to heterogeneous data.

[0065] The AI model may be trained continuously or periodically prior to performance of the inference operation by the processor, such as processor circuitry 150. Then, during the inference operation, the patient specific input features provided to the AI model may be propagated from an input layer, through one or more hidden layers, and ultimately to an output layer that corresponds to the determination.

[0066] The AI model can include a database, which can include data corresponding to a patient. The database can provide a patient record to the CDSS 500. The AI model can receive a parameter value from a sensor.

[0067] During and / or subsequent to the inference operation, the value of distance (Z) may be communicated to the user via the user interface (UI) and / or automatically cause an actuator or an alarm connected to the processor to perform a desired action. For example, the processor can cause the actuator to move the optical fiber with respect to the endoscope. Alternatively, the processor can cause the alarm to alert the practitioner.

[0068] The CDSS 500 can optionally be used to determine the action taken in response to a parameter value. Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1

[0069] To further illustrate the system and method disclosed herein, a non- limiting list of examples is provided below. Each of the following non limiting examples can stand on its own or can be combined in any permutation or combination with any one or more of the other examples.

[0070] In Example 1, an optical detection device can comprise: a light source having a characteristic; an optical fiber configured to collect, as collected light, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample in response to illumination generated by the light source; an optical detector configured to: receive at least some of the collected light; convert the collected light to photoelectrons; accumulate the photoelectrons only during a controllable integration duration; and generate a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons, wherein the optical detector is configured to synchronize a controllable start time and a controllable end time of the integration duration based at least in part on the characteristic of the light source; and an analyzer configured to measure data corresponding to a spectrum of the collected light from the detector signal.

[0071] In Example 2, the optical detection device of Example 1 can optionally be configured such that illumination of the light source is pulsed, and the optical detector is further configured to set the integration duration based on a duration of an illumination pulse of the light source.

[0072] In Example 3, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-2 can optionally be configured such that the optical detector is further configured to synchronize the controllable start time to a corresponding beginning of the illumination pulse of the light source and synchronize the controllable end time to a corresponding ending of the illumination pulse of the light source.

[0073] In Example 4, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-3 can optionally be configured such that the optical detector is further configured to set a relatively shorter integration duration when illumination of the light source is pulsed compared to a relatively longer integration duration when illumination of the light source is continuous.

[0074] In Example 5, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-4 can optionally be configured such that the optical detector is further configured to synchronize the controllable start time to a corresponding ending of the illumination Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1pulse of the light source and synchronize the controllable end time to a corresponding beginning of the illumination pulse of the light source.

[0075] In Example 6, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-5 can optionally further comprise processor circuitry configured to identify a characteristic of the sample based at least in part on the measured spectrum.

[0076] In Example 7, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-6 can optionally further comprise processor circuitry configured to receive input from a user interface, the input indicating whether the light source is pulsed or continuous.

[0077] In Example 8, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-7 can optionally further comprise processor circuitry configured to automatically determine, without input from a user interface, whether the light source is pulsed or continuous.

[0078] In Example 9, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-8 can optionally be configured such that the optical detector is further configured to receive a trigger signal from the light source, the trigger signal indicating at least one of beginning or ending illumination of the light source, the optical detector being further configured to synchronize the controllable start time and the controllable end time of the integration duration to the trigger signal.

[0079] In Example 10, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-9 can optionally be configured such that: the trigger signal includes a trigger signal pulse; the trigger signal pulse has a trigger signal pulse rising edge that coincides with one of beginning of the illumination or end of the illumination; and the trigger signal pulse has a trigger signal pulse falling edge that coincides with the other of the beginning of the illumination or the end of the illumination.

[0080] In Example 11, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-10 can optionally further comprise processor circuitry, wherein: the trigger signal includes a trigger signal pulse; the processor circuitry is configured to communicate duty cycle data to the optical detector, the duty cycle data representing a duty cycle of an illumination pulse of the light source; and the optical detector is further configured to synchronize the controllable start time and the controllable end time to the illumination pulse using the trigger signal and the duty cycle. Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1

[0081] In Example 12, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-11 can optionally be configured such that the light source comprises at least one of a light emitting diode or a Xenon light source.

[0082] In Example 13, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-12 can optionally further comprise an elongated endoscope body configured to be positionable proximate the sample, the optical fiber extending along the elongated endoscope body to a distal end of the elongated endoscope body, the optical fiber having a distal end configured to collect the collected light.

[0083] In Example 14, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 1-13 can optionally be configured such that the optical detector comprises a spectrometer.

[0084] In Example 15, a medical device for treating an anatomical region in a patient’s body can comprise: a light source configured to illuminate the anatomical region, the light source having a characteristic; an optical fiber configured to collect, as collected light, light that is reflected or emitted from the anatomical region in response to the illumination on the anatomical region; an optical detector configured to: receive at least some of the collected light; convert the collected light to photoelectrons; accumulate the photoelectrons only during a controllable integration duration; and generate a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons, wherein the optical detector is configured to synchronize a controllable start time and a controllable end time of the integration duration based at least in part on the characteristic of the light source; processor circuitry configured to identify a characteristic of the anatomical region based at least in part on the collected light from the detector signal; and an energy applicator for directing therapeutic energy to the anatomical region based at least in part on the identified characteristic of the anatomical region.

[0085] In Example 16, a method for operating a spectroscopic detection device can comprise: determining, with processor circuitry, whether a light source is pulsed or continuous; collecting, as collected light, with an optical fiber, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample in response to illumination generated by the light source; receiving, with a spectrometer detector, at least some of the collected light; converting, with the spectrometer detector, the collected light to photoelectrons; synchronizing, in response to the processor circuitry determining that the light source is pulsed, controllable start times Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1and controllable end times of corresponding integration durations of the spectrometer detector to light pulses of the illumination; accumulating, with the spectrometer detector, the photoelectrons only during the integration durations; generating, with the spectrometer detector, a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons; and measuring, with a spectrometer spectrum analyzer, data corresponding to a spectrum of the collected light from the detector signal.

[0086] In Example 17, the method of Example 16 can optionally be configured such that: the spectrometer detector synchronizes the controllable start times to corresponding beginnings of the light pulses and synchronizes the controllable end times to corresponding endings of the light pulses; the spectrometer detector accumulates the photoelectrons only during the light pulses; and the processor circuitry further performs reflectance spectroscopy on the measured spectrum to identify a composition of the sample.

[0087] In Example 18, an optical detection device can comprise: an optical fiber configured to collect, as collected light, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample in response to illumination generated by a pulsed light source; an optical detector configured to take sequential measurements of the collected light to form sequential detector signals; processor circuitry configured to select the sequential detector signals that are greater than a specified threshold to form a first subset of detector signals; and an analyzer configured to measure data corresponding to a spectrum of the collected light from the first subset of detector signals.

[0088] In Example 19, the optical detection device of Example 18 can optionally be configured such that the sequential detector signals that are less than the specified threshold correspond to sequential measurements that are taken between light pulses of the pulsed light source.

[0089] In Example 20, the optical detection device of any one of Examples 18-19 can optionally be configured such that the optical detector is configured to take the sequential measurements at a measurement repetition rate that is not synchronized to the pulsed light source. Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An optical detection device, comprising: a light source having a characteristic; an optical fiber configured to collect, as collected light, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample in response to illumination generated by the light source; an optical detector configured to: receive at least some of the collected light; convert the collected light to photoelectrons; accumulate the photoelectrons only during a controllable integration duration; and generate a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons, wherein the optical detector is configured to synchronize a controllable start time and a controllable end time of the integration duration based at least in part on the characteristic of the light source; and an analyzer configured to measure data corresponding to a spectrum of the collected light from the detector signal.

2. The optical detection device of claim 1, wherein illumination of the light source is pulsed, and the optical detector is further configured to set the integration duration based on a duration of an illumination pulse of the light source.

3. The optical detection device of claim 2, wherein the optical detector is further configured to synchronize the controllable start time to a corresponding beginning of the illumination pulse of the light source and synchronize the controllable end time to a corresponding ending of the illumination pulse of the light source.

4. The optical detection device of claim 3, wherein the optical detector is further configured to set a relatively shorter integration duration when illumination of the light source is pulsed compared to a relatively longer integration duration when illumination of the light source is continuous. Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO15. The optical detection device of claim 2, wherein the optical detector is further configured to synchronize the controllable start time to a corresponding ending of the illumination pulse of the light source and synchronize the controllable end time to a corresponding beginning of the illumination pulse of the light source.

6. The optical detection device of claim 1, further comprising processor circuitry configured to identify a characteristic of the sample based at least in part on the measured spectrum.

7. The optical detection device of claim 1, further comprising processor circuitry configured to receive input from a user interface, the input indicating whether the light source is pulsed or continuous.

8. The optical detection device of claim 1, further comprising processor circuitry configured to automatically determine, without input from a user interface, whether the light source is pulsed or continuous.

9. The optical detection device of claim 1, wherein the optical detector is further configured to receive a trigger signal from the light source, the trigger signal indicating at least one of beginning or ending illumination of the light source, the optical detector being further configured to synchronize the controllable start time and the controllable end time of the integration duration to the trigger signal.

10. The optical detection device of claim 9, wherein: the trigger signal includes a trigger signal pulse; the trigger signal pulse has a trigger signal pulse rising edge that coincides with one of beginning of the illumination or end of the illumination; and the trigger signal pulse has a trigger signal pulse falling edge that coincides with the other of the beginning of the illumination or the end of the illumination. Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO111. The optical detection device of claim 9, further comprising processor circuitry, wherein: the trigger signal includes a trigger signal pulse; the processor circuitry is configured to communicate duty cycle data to the optical detector, the duty cycle data representing a duty cycle of an illumination pulse of the light source; and the optical detector is further configured to synchronize the controllable start time and the controllable end time to the illumination pulse using the trigger signal and the duty cycle.

12. The optical detection device of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least one of a light emitting diode or a Xenon light source.

13. The optical detection device of claim 1, further comprising an elongated endoscope body configured to be positionable proximate the sample, the optical fiber extending along the elongated endoscope body to a distal end of the elongated endoscope body, the optical fiber having a distal end configured to collect the collected light.

14. The optical detection device of claim 1, wherein the optical detector comprises a spectrometer.

15. A medical device for treating an anatomical region in a patient’s body, the medical device comprising: a light source configured to illuminate the anatomical region, the light source having a characteristic; an optical fiber configured to collect, as collected light, light that is reflected or emitted from the anatomical region in response to the illumination on the anatomical region; an optical detector configured to: receive at least some of the collected light; Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1convert the collected light to photoelectrons; accumulate the photoelectrons only during a controllable integration duration; and generate a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons, wherein the optical detector is configured to synchronize a controllable start time and a controllable end time of the integration duration based at least in part on the characteristic of the light source; processor circuitry configured to identify a characteristic of the anatomical region based at least in part on the collected light from the detector signal; and an energy applicator for directing therapeutic energy to the anatomical region based at least in part on the identified characteristic of the anatomical region.

16. A method for operating a spectroscopic detection device, the method comprising: determining, with processor circuitry, whether a light source is pulsed or continuous; collecting, as collected light, with an optical fiber, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample in response to illumination generated by the light source; receiving, with a spectrometer detector, at least some of the collected light; converting, with the spectrometer detector, the collected light to photoelectrons; synchronizing, in response to the processor circuitry determining that the light source is pulsed, controllable start times and controllable end times of corresponding integration durations of the spectrometer detector to light pulses of the illumination; accumulating, with the spectrometer detector, the photoelectrons only during the integration durations; generating, with the spectrometer detector, a detector signal from the accumulated photoelectrons; and measuring, with a spectrometer spectrum analyzer, data corresponding to a spectrum of the collected light from the detector signal. Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO117. The method of claim 16, wherein: the spectrometer detector synchronizes the controllable start times to corresponding beginnings of the light pulses and synchronizes the controllable end times to corresponding endings of the light pulses; the spectrometer detector accumulates the photoelectrons only during the light pulses; and the processor circuitry further performs reflectance spectroscopy on the measured spectrum to identify a composition of the sample.

18. An optical detection device, comprising: an optical fiber configured to collect, as collected light, light that is reflected or emitted by a sample in response to illumination generated by a pulsed light source; an optical detector configured to take sequential measurements of the collected light to form sequential detector signals; processor circuitry configured to select the sequential detector signals that are greater than a specified threshold to form a first subset of detector signals; and an analyzer configured to measure data corresponding to a spectrum of the collected light from the first subset of detector signals.

19. The optical detection device of claim 18, wherein the sequential detector signals that are less than the specified threshold correspond to sequential measurements that are taken between light pulses of the pulsed light source.

20. The optical detection device of claim 18, wherein the optical detector is configured to take the sequential measurements at a measurement repetition rate that is not synchronized to the pulsed light source. Attorney Docket No.: 5409.872WO1 Client Ref. No.: GAP24018-URKT-WO1

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