Multi-Dye Fluorescence Imaging With Alternating Excitation Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluorescence imaging systems struggle to accurately distinguish between multiple fluorescent dyes with overlapping excitation spectra, leading to crosstalk and contamination in the captured images.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that captures fluorescent images of an operating field with alternating excitation lighting modes tailored to individual dyes, combined with image processing techniques such as linear combinations and artificial intelligence models to separate and display the distributions of different fluorescent dyes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fluorescent dyes with overlapping excitation spectra are used simultaneously, then the versatility and information content of the imaging system is improved, but crosstalk and contamination between dyes occur leading to reduced measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to visualize multiple structuresVSAvoidaccuracy of dye distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic alternation between different excitation lighting modes (first mode exciting first dye, second mode exciting second dye) to capture image sequences at different time points. This temporal separation allows the imaging system to isolate the fluorescence signal from each individual dye by capturing images when only one dye is excited at a time, thereby eliminating crosstalk while maintaining the ability to visualize multiple structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If multiple image sensors with filters are used to distinguish different dyes, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to distinguish dyesVSAvoidnumber of sensors and filters

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the functionality of multiple specialized image sensors into a single imaging sensor by using temporal separation through periodic action. Instead of requiring separate sensors with wavelength-specific filters for each dye, the system captures images from all dyes using one sensor at different time points when different dyes are selectively excited, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to distinguish between multiple dyes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By periodically alternating excitation modes and capturing image sequences at different time points, the system enables a single image sensor to differentiate between multiple dyes based on temporal information. The processing unit analyzes these time-separated images to reconstruct the distribution of each individual dye, eliminating the need for multiple physical sensors and filters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If a single excitation wavelength is used to excite multiple dyes, then the ease of operation is improved, but crosstalk occurs reducing the reliability of the imaging data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of excitation controlVSAvoidaccuracy of fluorescence signal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between different excitation lighting modes (first excitation mode for first dye, second excitation mode for second dye) rather than using a static single wavelength. This dynamic control allows selective excitation of different dyes at different time points, maintaining operational simplicity through automated mode switching while ensuring reliable data by preventing crosstalk between dyes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 clear separation and display of multiple fluorescent dyes without the need for multiple image sensors with filters, providing accurate localization and reducing noise in the imaging process.

Implementation Method 1

Fluorescence imaging as a variant of molecular imaging uses the property of certain molecules (fluorophores), which emit light of certain wavelengths when excited by light of certain excitation wavelengths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

This emitted light passes through a high pass filter and is then captured by an image sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260000297A1Method and system of medical multi-dye fluorescence imaging

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH

AI summary

A method of medical multi-dye fluorescence imaging. The method including: capturing fluorescent images of an operating field in which two or more different fluorescent dyes are present in successive sequences of images with a surgical or diagnostic imaging device, each sequence of images alternating through different modes of excitation lighting adapted for at least one each of two or more of the two or more different dyes, and processing the captured images of each successive sequence of images in combination with each other. The processing comprising determining the respective local distributions of the two or more different fluorescence dyes causing the observed different distributions of brightness in the two or more different fluorescent images of the sequence and producing one or more images displaying the determined local distributions of the two or more different fluorescent dyes separately.