Incoherent Imaging via Coherent Diffractive Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging techniques are limited in their ability to acquire high-speed 3D images of incoherent light, such as fluorescence, due to the random phase of fluorescent light, which renders it incoherent and prevents the reconstruction of spatial phase information necessary for coherent imaging methods.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that use modulated light with temporal and spatial patterns to determine the axial and lateral location of particles, allowing for the conversion of incoherent light into coherent light for imaging, by employing a modulator to produce unique intensity patterns and optical elements to direct these patterns towards a sample region, enabling the detection of incoherent light and subsequent determination of particle positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If confocal and two-photon laser scanning microscopy are used to obtain high spatial resolution 3D images, then imaging fidelity is improved, but imaging speed deteriorates due to serial data acquisition requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the illumination into multiple focused spots arranged in a lattice pattern, allowing parallel excitation of multiple regions simultaneously. This multifocal approach divides the sample volume into multiple interrogation zones that can be imaged in parallel, thereby increasing imaging speed while maintaining spatial resolution through the use of structured illumination patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces temporal modulation of the illumination lattice, creating time-varying intensity patterns that encode three-dimensional spatial information. By modulating the lattice in time and detecting temporal variations in fluorescence emission, the system recovers axial (depth) information without requiring mechanical scanning through the sample, thus achieving fast 3D imaging
2Productivity
If multifocal techniques are used to improve data acquisition speed, then imaging speed is improved, but the ability to track dynamic behavior deteriorates due to limited parallelization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs dynamic temporal modulation of the illumination lattice at frequencies that encode spatial position information. The lattice intensity pattern varies over time in a controlled manner, and fluorophores at different positions experience different temporal intensity variations. This dynamic encoding allows simultaneous tracking of multiple dynamic processes throughout the sample volume with high temporal resolution, improving the ability to track dynamic behavior while maintaining fast acquisition speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temporal correlation analysis between the known lattice modulation pattern and the detected fluorescence signal to extract spatial and temporal information about dynamic processes. By comparing the detected signal with the reference modulation pattern, the system can track changes in fluorophore positions and dynamics with high precision, ensuring reliable tracking capability
3Productivity
If coherent diffractive imaging is used to enable single-shot volumetric imaging, then imaging speed is improved, but the ability to image incoherent light deteriorates due to random phase of fluorescent light
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a structured illumination lattice as an intermediary between the coherent excitation source and the incoherent fluorescent emission. The lattice imprints a known spatial and temporal intensity pattern onto the sample, and the fluorescent emission, while incoherent, carries information about this pattern. By detecting and analyzing the temporal variations in the emitted light that correspond to the lattice modulation, the system can reconstruct volumetric images from incoherent fluorescence without requiring the fluorescent light itself to be coherent
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 high-speed 3D imaging of incoherent light sources by converting incoherent light into coherent light, allowing for the determination of axial and lateral positions of particles, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing imaging techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a modulator configured to temporally modulate an intensity pattern of a line of light uniquely at each point along a lateral length of the line of light and produce an undiffracted line of light (e.g, undiffracted modulated line of light), a first first-order diffracted line of light, and a second first-order diffracted line of light
Implementation Method 2
The resulting interference pattern is recorded with a detector array, e.g., a camera, and contains intensity modulations proportional to cos [1+π(λΔz)−1(x−Δx)2] that encode the phase difference between the two beams
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed to determine the axial and/or lateral location of a particle using light modulated with temporal and/or spatial modulation pattern. The system, for example, may include a modulator configured to temporally modulate an intensity pattern of a line of light uniquely at each point along a lateral length of the line of light and produce an undiffracted modulated line of light, a first first-order diffracted line of light, and a second first-order diffracted line of light; and one or more optical elements configured to direct the undiffracted line of light and one of the first first-order diffracted line of light and the second first-order diffracted line of light toward at least one particle disposed at or near a sample region. The system may include a processor configured to determine an axial and/or a lateral position of the particle disposed at or near the sample region.