Hyperspectral Tissue Oxygenation Imaging with Selective Spectral Bands

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical hyperspectral imaging instruments are costly due to complex optics and computational requirements, suffer from poor temporal and spatial resolution, and are time-consuming, limiting their clinical application.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for determining tissue oxygenation using a reduced set of spectral bands (e.g., 8 to 12) with narrower full width at half maximum, allowing for pixel-by-pixel registration and spectral analysis to approximate oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin levels, reducing computational burden and improving image processing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex optics and computational processing are used to generate hyperspectral data cubes, then spectral resolution and diagnostic accuracy are improved, but device cost and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral resolutionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and processes only the most diagnostically relevant spectral bands (eight to twelve specific bands) from the full hyperspectral spectrum, rather than processing all spectral data. This selective extraction of critical information maintains diagnostic accuracy while dramatically reducing computational burden and processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by processing a subset of spectral bands rather than the complete spectrum. By focusing computational resources on the eight to twelve most informative bands identified through spectral analysis, the system achieves sufficient diagnostic precision without the excessive processing requirements of full hyperspectral analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If complex optics are used to resolve images at multiple spectral bands, then spectral information quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral information qualityVSAvoidoptical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential spectral bands needed for accurate tissue oxygenation measurement, eliminating the need for complex optical systems that would be required to capture and process the entire hyperspectral spectrum. This selective approach maintains spectral information quality while simplifying the optical architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spectral parameter selection from a broad continuous spectrum to a discrete set of eight to twelve specific wavelength bands. This parameter change allows the use of simpler optical components (such as narrowband filters or LED sources) that target specific wavelengths, reducing overall system complexity while preserving diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of information

If full hyperspectral processing is performed, then comprehensive spectral analysis is achieved, but temporal and spatial resolution deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral analysis completenessVSAvoidtemporal resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and processes only the critical spectral bands required for tissue oxygenation assessment, enabling faster processing that maintains temporal resolution. By eliminating redundant spectral data processing, the system achieves real-time or near-real-time imaging capability while preserving essential diagnostic information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial processing action by analyzing only the eight to twelve most informative spectral bands rather than performing exhaustive analysis of the entire spectrum. This selective approach reduces computational load sufficiently to maintain high temporal and spatial resolution imaging rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This approach enhances the efficiency and accuracy of hyperspectral imaging, making it more cost-effective and clinically viable by improving temporal and spatial resolution while reducing processing time.

Implementation Method 1

Hyperspectral (also known as 'multispectral') spectroscopy is an imaging technique that integrates multiple images of an object resolved at different spectral bands

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption Spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

spectral analysis is performed at a plurality of points in a two-dimensional area of the plurality of registered images of the tissue. the spectral analysis includes determining approximate values of oxyhemoglobin levels and deoxyhemoglobin levels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-tissue interaction: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3298963B1Systems and methods for measuring tissue oxygenation
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 HYPERMED IMAGING INC
  • EP3298963B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3298963B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3298963B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The disclosure provides methods and systems for determining tissue oxygenation. An electronic device obtains a data set including a plurality of images of a tissue of interest, each resolved at a different spectral band. Spectral analysis is performed, upon image registration, at a plurality of points in a two-dimensional area of the images of the tissue. The spectral analysis including determining approximate values of oxyhemoglobin levels and deoxyhemoglobin levels at each respective point in the plurality of points. The predetermined set of eight to twelve spectral bands includes spectral bands that provide improved methods for measuring tissue oxygenation.