Radial LED Illumination Layout for Homogeneous Fluorescence Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorescence imaging apparatus face challenges in achieving homogeneous illumination of the field of view using LEDs, which are bulky, complex, and require multiple sources, leading to spurious effects and difficulty in adding white light sources and excitation filters, while lasers are expensive and difficult to implement for wide fields of view.
Innovation Solution
An illumination unit with excitation sources arranged in radial alignments, each having different emission characteristics, allowing for uniform distribution and concentration of excitation light towards the field of view, accompanied by symmetric arrangements of LEDs and integrated white light sources without increasing size, and utilizing excitation filters to limit frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple LEDs are used to increase illumination intensity, then the excitation light intensity is sufficient to excite fluorophores, but the illumination homogeneity deteriorates and power waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination unit is segmented into multiple LED modules, each containing several LEDs arranged in specific patterns. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of each module's contribution to illumination homogeneity while maintaining sufficient total intensity through coordinated activation of multiple modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the illumination unit have different LED densities and configurations. The LED distribution is non-uniform, with higher density in certain areas to compensate for geometric factors and achieve uniform illumination across the entire field of view, addressing the local quality requirement.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple LEDs are used to achieve sufficient illumination intensity, then the excitation light intensity is adequate, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LED modules are merged into a single integrated illumination unit with a unified control system. This combining approach maintains sufficient illumination intensity while reducing overall device complexity compared to using separate, independent LED assemblies, as the modules share common mounting structures and control electronics.
3Manufacturing precision
If LEDs are arranged uniformly in the illumination unit, then the illumination homogeneity improves, but the collection optics cannot be positioned at the center
Solution Approach 1:
The LED arrangement deliberately breaks symmetry by positioning LEDs at specific non-uniform locations around the periphery, with gaps at the center where collection optics are positioned. This asymmetric distribution achieves illumination homogeneity through careful geometric design while maintaining ease of optics positioning.
4Loss of energy
If excitation light is concentrated entirely towards the field of view, then power waste is reduced, but the illumination homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system uses dynamic control of LED modules to adjust the spatial distribution of excitation light in real-time. This allows optimization between concentration (to reduce power waste) and homogeneity (to avoid spurious effects) based on the specific imaging requirements and field of view conditions.
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 configuration achieves optimal illumination homogeneity, reduces power waste, and minimizes spurious effects in fluorescence images, enabling high-quality imaging with cost-effective and compact design.
Implementation Method 1
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) may be used in place of the laser
Implementation Method 2
imaging apparatus of fluorescence type exploit a fluorescence phenomenon occurring in fluorescence substances (called fluorophores), which emit (fluorescence) light when they are illuminated
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination unit (218) is proposed for use in a fluorescence imaging apparatus (100). The illumination unit (218) comprises excitation sources (310) arranged in alignments (315), which extend radially from a hole (218h) of the illumination unit (218) for receiving collection optics of an acquisition unit. The excitation sources (310a-310d) of each alignment are configured to have at least in part different emission characteristics of their excitation light. An imaging head (165) comprising the illumination unit (218) and a fluorescence imaging apparatus (100) comprising the imaging head (165) are also proposed. Moreover, a method for imaging a body-part of a patient with the fluorescence imaging apparatus (100), corresponding computer program and computer program product, and corresponding surgical, diagnostic and therapeutic methods are proposed.