Diffuse Optical Tomography with Line Imaging for Subsurface Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diffuse optical tomography (DOT) systems face limitations in resolution and computational complexity due to the use of separate source-detector pairs, leading to poor image quality and high computational demands, making them unsuitable for portable and efficient subsurface imaging.
Innovation Solution
A high-resolution DOT system using a 2D camera and MEMS projector with a line illumination and verged configuration, combined with a convolution approximation of the forward model for light propagation, allowing for efficient recovery of heterogeneous structures beneath the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional DOT uses separate source-detector pairs, then the system can capture indirect scattered light for subsurface imaging, but the device form-factor becomes large and computational complexity increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light source and detector into a single integrated imaging device with a unified optical path. The detector captures both directly reflected light and indirectly scattered light from subsurface structures through the same optical path, eliminating the need for separate source-detector pairs. This merging reduces device form-factor while maintaining subsurface imaging capability through computational separation of light components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces computational algorithms as an intermediary to separate directly reflected light from indirectly scattered light in the captured image. By using image processing techniques, the system can extract subsurface structure information from the composite image containing both light components, avoiding the need for complex hardware arrangements while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple source-detector pairs are used to improve resolution, then image quality improves, but computational complexity and storage requirements increase prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single detector to capture a composite image that contains information from multiple optical paths (direct reflection and indirect scattering). Instead of using multiple physical source-detector pairs, the system creates a computational copy of the subsurface structure information by separating the mixed light signals through image processing algorithms, achieving high resolution without proportional increases in hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical path configuration from multiple separate paths to a single unified path, and compensates for the loss of spatial information by introducing computational parameters and algorithms. The image processing techniques extract high-resolution subsurface information by analyzing the characteristics of directly and indirectly scattered light within the single captured image.
3Length of stationary object
If light penetrates deep through tissue for subsurface imaging, then imaging depth increases, but light scattering continuously resulting in poor image contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the indirectly scattered light component from the composite image by separating it from the directly reflected light. By isolating the indirect scattering component, the system retrieves high-contrast subsurface structure information that would otherwise be obscured by the dominant direct reflection, maintaining image contrast at increased imaging depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of light scattering, which normally degrades image quality, into a beneficial signal. The indirectly scattered light that would normally be considered noise or degradation is actually the useful signal containing subsurface structure information. By specifically capturing and processing this scattered light component, the system transforms the scattering problem into a solution for deep subsurface imaging with good contrast.
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
The system achieves high spatial resolution and computational efficiency, enabling accurate detection and localization of subsurface structures up to 8 mm deep, overcoming the limitations of traditional DOT methods.
Implementation Method 1
While light penetrates deep through tissue, it scatters continuously resulting in poor image contrast
Implementation Method 2
under the highly scattering regime, the photons can be assumed to be traveling diffusely in the medium and can be described as a random walk
Data Source
AI summary
A fast imaging apparatus and method for high resolution diffuse optical tomography with a line imaging and illumination system is disclosed. The method uses an algorithm comprising a convolution approximation of the forward heterogeneous scattering model that can be inverted to produce deeper than ever before structured beneath the surface. The method can detect reasonably accurate boundaries and relative depth of absorption variations up to a depth of approximately 8 mm below highly scattering medium such as skin.