Multimodal OCT and HSI Imaging System with Mode Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tomographic and spectral imaging techniques, such as OCT and HSI, have limitations in the type and amount of information they can provide about objects, necessitating a multimodal system that can switch between imaging modes to acquire comprehensive data.
Innovation Solution
A multimodal system and method that integrates optical coherence tomography (OCT) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) using a common optical pathway, allowing switching between OCT and HSI modes, with a computing module that generates imaging data and uses neural networks for feature detection, enabling the combination of OCT and HSI data for enhanced object evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional tomographic imaging (OCT) is used alone, then high-resolution structural imaging is achieved, but the amount and type of material composition information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines OCT and HSI imaging modalities into a single integrated system that shares common optical components (light source, beam splitter, scanner, detector). The system merges structural imaging data from OCT with spectral composition data from HSI to provide both high-resolution structural information and detailed material composition information simultaneously, resolving the information limitation of using OCT alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions by switching between OCT mode and HSI mode using a mode switching module. The same hardware platform can universally execute both tomographic imaging for structural analysis and spectral imaging for material identification, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems and enabling comprehensive object evaluation.
2Loss of information
If conventional spectral imaging (HSI) is used alone, then detailed spectral information is obtained, but structural imaging capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges HSI's spectral information capability with OCT's structural imaging capability. By combining the spectral data from HSI with the high-resolution structural data from OCT in a unified processing framework, the system achieves both complete spectral information and high-quality structural imaging simultaneously.
3Loss of information
If separate OCT and HSI systems are used, then comprehensive imaging data is acquired, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate imaging systems (OCT and HSI) into a single integrated platform by sharing common optical pathways, including the light source, beam splitter, scanning mirrors, and detector. This consolidation reduces system complexity, lowers cost, and simplifies operation while maintaining the ability to acquire both structural and spectral imaging data.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system achieves multi-functionality by incorporating a mode switching module that allows the same hardware to execute both OCT and HSI imaging modes. This universal platform eliminates the need for multiple separate systems, reducing complexity while providing comprehensive imaging capabilities through software-controlled mode switching.
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 improved surface and subsurface imaging by combining high-resolution OCT data with hyperspectral information, enabling detailed material identification and defect detection, thereby overcoming the limitations of single-mode imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter for receiving the originating optical beam, the beam splitter directing a derivative sample beam towards the object and receiving a returned sample beam from the object
Implementation Method 2
a detector for detecting at least one of the returned reference beam and the returned sample beam
Implementation Method 3
in the OCT mode, the computing device generates OCT imaging data by determining an interference pattern produced by a superposition of the returned reference beam and the returned sample beam
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for acquiring imaging data of an object. The system includes a beam splitter for directing a derivative sample beam towards the object and a derivative reference beam towards a reflective element; a detector for detecting at least one of the returned reference beam and the returned sample beam; a mode switching module for selecting an operating mode between an optical coherence tomography (OCT) mode and a hyperspectral imaging (HSI) mode; and a computing module for receiving the detection from the detector and the mode from the mode switching module, wherein in the OCT mode, the computing device generates OCT imaging data by determining an interference pattern produced by a superposition of the returned reference beam and the returned sample beam, and wherein in the HSI mode, the computing module generating hyperspectral imaging data by determining hyperspectral information of the returned sample beam.