Multi-wavelength Laser Illumination for Vascular Depth and Flow Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical imaging systems face challenges in accurately determining the depth and flow of vascular tissues during surgical procedures, particularly in visualizing subsurface structures and blood vessels, due to limitations in light penetration and resolution.
Innovation Solution
A surgical image acquisition system utilizing a plurality of illumination sources with specific central wavelengths, including laser light, red, green, and blue, to emit light and a computing system that processes data from a light sensor to calculate visualization data, enabling the determination of depth and flow within vascular tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional illumination sources are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the depth and flow determination precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple independent light sources, each emitting at a specific wavelength (e.g., 450nm blue, 530nm green, 630nm red, and near-infrared wavelengths). Each wavelength penetrates tissue to different depths and interacts with vascular structures differently, enabling depth-resolved flow measurement through spectral analysis of backscattered light
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of illumination light to achieve different penetration depths into tissue. By systematically varying wavelength and analyzing the spectral characteristics of backscattered light, the system determines both depth location and blood flow properties without requiring complex mechanical scanning systems
2Measurement precision
If multiple illumination sources with specific wavelengths are used, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each illumination source serves multiple functions: it provides depth information through wavelength-dependent penetration, enables flow detection via Doppler shift analysis, and contributes to tissue characterization through spectral reflectance patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for different measurement types
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses optical detectors and signal processing algorithms as intermediaries to extract depth and flow information from the combined backscattered light of multiple wavelengths. Rather than requiring separate physical measurement paths for each parameter, the intermediary processing system decodes depth and flow information from the spectral composition of the returned light
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 provides enhanced visualization of vascular tissues and blood flow, improving surgical precision by accurately determining depth and flow within tissues, thereby aiding surgeons in complex procedures.
Implementation Method 1
each illumination source is configured to emit light having a specified central wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a light sensor configured to receive a portion of the light reflected from a tissue sample when illuminated by the one or more of the plurality of illumination sources
Implementation Method 3
determine a depth location of a structure within the tissue sample based on the data received by the light sensor when the tissue sample is illuminated by each of the plurality of illumination sources
Implementation Method 4
calculate visualization data regarding the structure and the depth location of the structure... The structure may be composed of one or more vascular tissues
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical image acquisition system includes multiple illumination sources, each source emitting light at a specified wavelength, a light sensor to receive light reflected from a tissue sample illuminated by each of the illumination sources, and a computing system. The computer system may receive data from the light sensor when the tissue sample is illuminated by the illumination sources, determine a depth of a structure within the tissue sample, and calculate visualization data regarding the structure and its depth within the tissue. The visualization data may have a format for use by a display system. The structure may include vascular tissue. The illumination sources may include red, green, blue, infrared, ultraviolet, and white light sources. The structure depth may be determined by a spectroscopy method or a Doppler shift method. The system may include a controller and computer enabled instructions to accomplish the above.