Multispectral Laser Imaging for Blood Flow Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser-based perfusion technologies face inaccuracies due to motion artifacts in clinical settings, particularly when imaging moving tissues like a beating heart, and struggle to provide detailed visualization and quantification of blood flow and perfusion in both superficial and subsurface layers of tissues.
Innovation Solution
A multispectral imaging system utilizing multiple light sources of different wavelengths, including coherent and non-coherent sources, to simultaneously image the surface and penetrate tissues, combining anatomical structure and physiological data to generate synthesized images of blood flow, perfusion, and oxygen saturation, while accounting for motion artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional laser-based perfusion technologies are used, then blood flow imaging is obtained, but motion artifacts disrupt measurement accuracy in moving tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into multiple wavelength channels (e.g., 785nm for subsurface blood flow, 532nm for surface anatomy) that are acquired simultaneously. Each wavelength provides complementary information that, when combined, allows separation of true blood flow signals from motion artifacts through multi-spectral image processing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spectral dimension to traditional laser-based perfusion imaging by incorporating multiple wavelengths. This transforms the imaging from a single-parameter measurement into a multi-dimensional dataset that includes spatial, temporal, and spectral information, enabling more robust motion artifact rejection and improved blood flow quantification.
2Illumination intensity
If UV or visible light is used, then detailed anatomic visualization of tissue surface is achieved, but penetration into sub-surface layers is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two distinct imaging modalities into a single multi-spectral system: visible light imaging (532nm) for high-contrast surface anatomy visualization and near-infrared imaging (785nm) for subsurface blood flow detection. The combination allows simultaneous acquisition of both surface structural information and deep tissue physiological data from a single imaging system.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system achieves multi-functionality by using multiple light sources and detectors that can operate across different spectral ranges. The same optical platform and camera system can capture both visible and near-infrared wavelengths, providing universal capability for both anatomical and physiological imaging without requiring separate devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources of different wavelengths are used, then both surface and subsurface tissue information is obtained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal optical platform that can detect multiple wavelengths through a single camera sensor. By incorporating broadband detectors and using optical filters or wavelength-specific illumination sequences, the system achieves multi-spectral imaging capability without requiring separate detector arrays for each wavelength, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic modulation of light sources at different wavelengths, allowing sequential illumination and detection. This time-multiplexed approach enables the use of a single detector to capture signals from multiple wavelengths by alternating illumination, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining the ability to acquire multi-spectral data for both surface and subsurface imaging.
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
This approach provides accurate, real-time visualization and quantification of blood flow and perfusion, improving image quality and reducing motion artifacts, enabling precise clinical assessments even in dynamic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source, the first light source being one of coherent, non-coherent and partially coherent, the first light source having a first wavelength configured to produce a non-coherent illumination to image a sample
Implementation Method 2
a second coherent light source, different from the first light source, having a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, configured to image the sample simultaneously with the first light source
Implementation Method 3
a camera configured to simultaneously receive information related to the first and second light sources from the sample
Implementation Method 4
a processor configured to combine the received information related to the first and second light sources and generate a synthesized image of the anatomical structure and the physiology of blood flow and perfusion of the sample
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present inventive concept provide a multispectral imaging system including a first light source, the first light source having a first wavelength configured to produce a non-coherent illumination to image a sample; a second coherent light source, different from the first light source, having a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, configured to image the sample simultaneously with the first light source; a camera configured to simultaneously receive information related to the first and second light sources from the sample, wherein light at the first wavelength is configured to image a surface of the sample into the camera and light at the second wavelength is configured to penetrate the sample and provide information related to the penetrated sample to the camera; and a processor configured to combine the received information related to the first and second light sources and generate a synthesized image of the anatomical structure and the physiology of blood flow and perfusion of the sample in terms of blood flow rate distribution.