Multi-Spectral Fluorescent Camera Imaging With Tunable Band Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorescence detection methods, such as emission-scanning hyperspectral imaging, suffer from reduced sensitivity due to light attenuation from spectral filtering, limiting their applicability in time-sensitive and photosensitive applications.
Innovation Solution
A camera system equipped with tunable optical filters and a sensor array that dynamically adjusts illumination and fluorescing light sub-bands to acquire images in multiple fluorescing light sub-bands, allowing for accurate identification of spectral fluorescent signatures by subtracting ambient light and enhancing signal-to-noise ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If emission-scanning hyperspectral imaging is used to detect fluorescence, then spectral information can be obtained, but sensitivity is reduced due to light attenuation from spectral filtering
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of filtering the fluorescence emission (which causes light loss), the patent filters the excitation light to selectively excite specific fluorophores. This inversion of the filtering approach maintains higher light transmission while still achieving spectral discrimination, thereby resolving the contradiction between obtaining spectral information and maintaining detection sensitivity
2Measurement precision
If emission scanning is used to acquire spectral data, then comprehensive spectral analysis is achieved, but acquisition time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spectral acquisition process by using multiple fixed excitation wavelengths simultaneously or in rapid sequence, each targeting specific fluorophores. This segmentation allows the system to acquire comprehensive spectral information without requiring slow sequential scanning across the entire spectrum, thereby improving acquisition speed while maintaining spectral analysis completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic modulation of excitation wavelengths, switching between different excitation bands in a structured manner. This periodic action enables rapid acquisition of multi-spectral data without the need for continuous slow scanning, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive spectral analysis and fast acquisition
3Adaptability or versatility
If broad wavelength range filtering is applied during emission detection, then multiple fluorophores can be detected, but signal-to-noise ratio decreases due to light attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using excitation-specific filtering where each excitation wavelength is paired with a narrow-bandpass filter optimized for that specific excitation line. This allows the system to detect multiple fluorophores with high signal-to-noise ratio by tailoring the filtering characteristics to each local excitation condition, rather than using a single broad filter that attenuates signals from all fluorophores
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 high transmission and short acquisition times, enabling robust identification of substances with minimal bias from ambient light, overcoming limitations of traditional methods and improving accuracy in time-dependent and photosensitive applications.
Implementation Method 1
Various substances intrinsically emit fluorescent light in response to being illuminated with excitation light of particular wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
A camera system equipped with tunable optical filters and a sensor array that dynamically adjusts illumination and fluorescing light sub-bands
Implementation Method 3
the sensor array is addressed to acquire one or more image of the scene in the tested fluorescing light sub-band
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera system (102) includes one or more spectral illuminators (104), a tunable optical filter (110), and a sensor array (108). Active spectral light emitted from the one or more spectral illuminators (104) towards a scene is dynamically tuned to an illumination sub-band selected from a plurality of different illumination sub-bands. Sequentially for each of a plurality of fluorescing light sub-bands different than the selected illumination sub-band, the tunable optical filter (110) is adjusted to block light from being transmitted from the scene to the sensor array (108) in all but a tested fluorescing light sub-band from the plurality of different fluorescing light sub-bands, and the sensor array (108) is addressed to acquire one or more images (118) of the scene in the tested fluorescing light sub-band.