Visible Aiming Beam for Real-Time Tissue Fluorescence Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical spectroscopy techniques, such as scanning multispectral time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, face challenges in registering diagnostic information with the measurement location, especially when using wavelengths outside human eye sensitivity or low light intensities, leading to registration errors and lack of real-time feedback.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a visible aiming beam in conjunction with an excitation beam to enable real-time visualization of tissue biochemical features by overlaying fluorescence information onto a camera image, allowing for precise location identification and dynamic updating of fluorescence lifetime imaging maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If offline data analysis and registration based on structural landmarks is used, then registration accuracy is improved, but real-time feedback capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by projecting a visible aiming beam pattern onto the tissue surface before fluorescence measurement. This aiming beam pattern serves as a pre-established spatial reference that enables immediate location identification during real-time scanning, eliminating the need for offline registration while maintaining accurate spatial correspondence between fluorescence signals and tissue locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The visible aiming beam acts as an intermediary element between the excitation beam and the fluorescence detection system. It provides a visual marker that mediates the spatial relationship between the measurement probe position and the tissue location, enabling real-time visualization and eliminating registration errors without requiring post-processing alignment algorithms.
2Reliability
If wavelengths outside human eye sensitivity are employed, then fluorescence excitation capability is improved, but visual location identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A visible aiming beam at 450nm serves as an intermediary visual marker that bridges the gap between invisible UV excitation light and human eye sensitivity. The aiming beam is projected onto the tissue surface to indicate the measurement location, allowing operators to visually track and identify where fluorescence measurements are being taken even though the excitation wavelength itself is outside the visible range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes color changes by employing a visible blue aiming beam (450nm) that contrasts with the tissue background. This color-coded visual indicator allows operators to easily distinguish the measurement location on the tissue surface, providing intuitive visual feedback without interfering with the UV excitation process for fluorescence generation.
3Measurement precision
If point-scanning spectroscopic imaging techniques are used, then biochemical feature detection capability is improved, but visualization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The visible aiming beam pattern serves as an intermediary visualization tool that works in conjunction with point-scanning spectroscopic imaging. It provides immediate visual feedback about the measurement location on the tissue surface, enabling operators to efficiently track and interpret biochemical feature data without requiring complex post-processing visualization procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback by projecting the aiming beam pattern onto the tissue surface during scanning. This provides continuous visual feedback to operators about the current measurement location, enabling them to monitor biochemical feature detection progress and make immediate adjustments to the scanning process, thereby improving overall visualization efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time, accurate visualization and mapping of tissue biochemical properties, improving clinical implementation by providing immediate feedback and guiding surgical procedures with enhanced precision.
Implementation Method 1
obtains fluorescence information from a fluorescence signal emitted from the measurement location in response to the excitation beam
Implementation Method 2
identifies a location illuminated by the aiming beam using a camera
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that displays an image of the characteristics of the biological tissue. During operation, the system enables a user to illuminate a measurement location in an area of interest on the biological tissue by manipulating a point measurement probe, wherein the point measurement probe delivers both an excitation beam and an overlapping aiming beam that is visible to a camera. Next, the system obtains fluorescence information from a fluorescence signal emitted from the measurement location in response to the excitation beam. The system then captures an image of the area of interest using the camera and identifies a portion of the image that corresponds to the measurement location by identifying a location illuminated by the aiming beam. Finally, the system generates an overlay image by overlaying the fluorescence information onto the portion of the image that corresponds to the measurement location, and then displays the overlay image to a user.