Fluorescence Imaging Parameter Modulation for Bacterial Wound Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wound care methods lack advanced imaging modalities to reliably detect bacterial presence and differentiate bacterial markers from non-bacterial sources, leading to suboptimal wound assessment and potential misidentification of bacterial infections.
Innovation Solution
A portable fluorescence imaging device with modulated excitation light and image sensors captures a series of images at different power levels and exposure periods, generating a composite image to accurately detect and quantify bacterial loads, using machine learning algorithms for interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single fluorescence image is captured at a fixed power level and exposure period, then the imaging process is simple and fast, but the detection reliability and measurement precision are insufficient due to inadequate signal-to-noise ratios and image saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures multiple fluorescence images at different power levels and exposure periods in a sequential manner. By periodically varying the excitation power level and exposure period across multiple captures, the system obtains a series of images with different signal intensities, enabling more reliable bacterial detection through comparative analysis while managing complexity through automated sequencing
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies the excitation power level and exposure period as key parameters across multiple image captures. By changing these parameters systematically, the system generates images with different signal-to-noise ratios and saturation levels, allowing for more accurate bacterial load quantification and reducing detection errors through parameter diversity
2Illumination intensity
If the excitation power level is increased to improve signal strength, then the fluorescence signal becomes stronger, but image saturation occurs which reduces measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system intentionally captures images at multiple power levels including levels that may cause saturation. By including both non-saturated and saturated images in the series, the system can use the non-saturated images for accurate quantification while using the saturated images to confirm the presence of high bacterial loads, thus applying partial action to achieve comprehensive detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system analyzes multiple images captured at different power levels and uses feedback from this comparative analysis to determine the optimal image for bacterial load quantification. By evaluating the signal-to-noise ratio and saturation level across multiple images, the system selects the most appropriate image data, providing feedback-based correction for power level optimization
3Ease of operation
If standard photographic format is used for wound imaging, then the imaging device is simple and easy to operate, but bacterial information cannot be identified or exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses fluorescence imaging which causes bacteria to emit light at specific wavelengths different from the excitation wavelength. This color change phenomenon allows bacterial identification and differentiation from non-bacterial sources, as bacteria exhibit characteristic fluorescence colors that are not present in standard photographic images, thus recovering lost bacterial information
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces fluorescence imaging as an intermediary modality between standard photography and bacterial detection. By using fluorescence excitation and emission as an intermediate process, the system bridges the gap between simple imaging and bacterial identification, allowing standard imaging devices to be enhanced with bacterial detection capability through the fluorescence intermediary mechanism
4Loss of time
If visual assessment is performed under white light illumination, then the assessment process is simple and quick, but underlying biological and biochemical changes at tissue and cellular level cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs rapid sequential imaging at multiple power levels and exposure periods, completing the entire multi-parameter imaging sequence in a time-efficient manner. By automating the periodic capture and processing of multiple images, the system recovers detailed biological and biochemical information without significantly increasing the overall assessment time, maintaining clinical workflow 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
Enhances the confidence in bacterial detection, reduces false negatives and positives, and provides a qualitative estimate of bacterial load, facilitating timely and appropriate treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescence image sensor configured to capture a plurality of fluorescence images of a target surface
Implementation Method 2
a light source driver configured to drive the excitation light source to emit light at a plurality of different output power levels
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods provide for the operation of a portable, hand-held device comprising an illumination device including at least one excitation light source and a driver configured to drive the at least one excitation light source to sequentially produce a plurality of output intensities; an imaging device configured to capture a plurality of fluorescence images of a target surface respectively corresponding to the plurality of output intensities; a memory; and a processor configured to: co-register the plurality of fluorescence images, divide an image area into a plurality of sections, for each of the plurality of sections, select an image portion from one of the plurality of fluorescence images, and combine the selected image portions to generate a composite image.