Imaging Apparatus Using Temporal Gating for Blood Flow Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging methods for acquiring internal information of objects, such as biometrics and material analyses, face challenges in effectively separating surface and internal components of light reflections, particularly in detecting cerebral blood flow with high accuracy and cost-effectiveness, as they often rely on one-dimensional information and expensive ultrashort pulsed light sources.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus that uses a near-infrared laser pulse light source and a high-time-resolution image sensor to differentiate between surface reflection and internal dispersion components of light by controlling the electronic shutter to accumulate signal charges during specific periods of the light pulse waveform, allowing for the separation of skin and cerebral blood flow information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging methods are used to acquire internal information of objects, then surface reflection and internal dispersion components are mixed together, but detection accuracy of internal information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reflected light pulse into multiple time periods (first period, second period, third period) based on the temporal characteristics of surface reflection and internal dispersion. By detecting light in different time windows, the method separates surface reflection components (arriving earlier) from internal dispersion components (arriving later), thereby improving detection accuracy of internal information without mixing with surface reflections.
2Measurement precision
If ultrashort pulsed light sources are used to improve time resolution, then detection precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from requiring ultrashort pulsed light sources to using continuous wave or long-pulse light sources combined with temporal gating detection. By adjusting the detection timing parameters (first period, second period, third period) rather than the light source duration, the system achieves comparable time resolution at lower cost, making the technology more accessible for biomedical applications.
3Device complexity
If one-dimensional detection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but information completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic detection across multiple time periods (first period for surface reflection, second period for intermediate components, third period for internal dispersion) to comprehensively capture light returning from different depths. This temporal periodic detection strategy maintains relative simplicity while significantly improving information completeness compared to single-time-point detection methods.
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 detection accuracy of cerebral blood flow information significantly, providing a non-contact, cost-effective method for generating two-dimensional images of blood flow distributions, enabling the estimation of brain activity and biometric data with improved sensitivity and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that emits a light pulse onto an object, and a light detector that detects a reflected light pulse returning from the object
Implementation Method 2
each of the pixels including a photoelectric converter that converts light returning from the object into signal charges
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes: a light source that emits a light pulse onto an object, and a light detector that detects a reflected light pulse returning from the object. The light detector detects a first part of the reflected light pulse in a first period, and detects a second part of the reflected light pulse in a second period that starts after the first period. The first period includes at least a part of a rising period, the rising period being a period from start to end of increase of intensity of the reflected light pulse. The second period includes a part of a falling period, starts after start of the falling period and does not include the start of the falling period, the falling period being a period from start to end of decrease of the intensity.