Multi-Mode Light Source for Fluorescence and Reflectance Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluorescence imaging systems for detecting early cancer face challenges in specificity, size, weight, and complexity, making them less than ideal for miniaturization and integration into endoscopes.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence imaging system that combines multi-mode light sources, spectral filtering, and advanced camera sensors to capture both fluorescence and reflectance images, utilizing multiple wavelengths to enhance tissue differentiation and normalize signals for improved pathology detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluorescence imaging systems are used to detect early cancer, then fluorescence detection capability is provided, but device complexity and size are excessive for miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modes (fluorescence imaging and reflectance imaging) into a single integrated endoscopic system. The camera unit captures both fluorescence signals and reflected light through a unified optical path, eliminating the need for separate imaging systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable fluorescence detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed with multi-functionality to perform both fluorescence imaging and reflectance imaging using a single camera unit and optical system. This universal design allows the same hardware to detect different types of tissue information, reducing the number of components needed and enabling miniaturization for endoscopic applications.
2Reliability
If conventional fluorescence imaging systems are used, then cancer detection is possible, but size and weight prevent miniaturization for endoscope integration
Solution Approach 1:
By merging fluorescence detection and reflectance imaging into a single integrated camera unit with shared optical components, the system significantly reduces the total weight and volume compared to having separate imaging systems. This consolidation enables the device to be miniaturized and integrated into endoscopes while preserving cancer detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested optical design where the fluorescence detection optics are integrated within the reflectance imaging optical path. The camera unit is designed to accommodate multiple functional elements in a compact, nested arrangement, minimizing the overall footprint and weight for endoscopic integration.
3Device complexity
If single-wavelength imaging is used, then imaging is simplified, but tissue differentiation and specificity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical detection into distinct wavelength ranges: a first wavelength range for fluorescence imaging and a second wavelength range for reflectance imaging. This segmentation allows each imaging mode to operate at optimal wavelengths for specific tissue characterization, enhancing tissue differentiation while keeping the control mechanism simple through sequential or parallel detection modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spectral dimension to the imaging by capturing data at multiple wavelength ranges. Instead of relying on a single wavelength, the system incorporates fluorescence signals (typically longer wavelengths) and reflectance signals (typically shorter wavelengths), creating a multi-dimensional data space that significantly improves tissue differentiation and diagnostic specificity.
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 achieves improved specificity and reduced size, enabling miniaturization for endoscopic use, with enhanced ability to distinguish normal from suspicious tissue through advanced spectral filtering and image processing.
Implementation Method 1
A multi-mode light source generates light for obtaining color and fluorescence images
Implementation Method 2
a region of interest in a living body is exposed to excitation light, which causes it to produce fluorescence
Implementation Method 3
The fluorescence is separated with respect to desired wavelength ranges and detected
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for generating multi-wavelength fluorescence and reflectance images is disclosed. The system includes a single multi-mode light source (52) for producing both multi-wavelength excitation light for fluorescence imaging and illumination light having red, green and blue components, a plurality of light source filters (76A, 76B) positionable (77) between the light source (52) and an illumination optical transmission system (54). Each of the filters is positioned stationarily during an imaging mode and transmitting substantially all the multi-wavelength excitation light intensity and selectively transmitting a predetermined portion of one or more of the red, green and blue component intensity. A camera (lOOC) receives the light collected from a tissue sample (58) by an optical transmission system (54). The camera includes two color image sensors (102, 105), with a first color image sensor (102) having a first spectral filter (119) positioned in front of the color image sensor for selectively blocking the multi-wavelength excitation light and transmitting reflectance light at wavelengths other than the multi-wavelength excitation light, and a second color image sensor (105) having a second spectral filter (118) positioned in front of the color image sensor for selectively blocking the multi-wavelength excitation light and transmitting multi-wavelength fluorescence light at wavelengths other than the multi-wavelength excitation light.