Retinal Angiography Pixel Division for Blood Vessel Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging methods for blood-containing tissues, such as retinal angiography, suffer from insufficient contrast and spatial resolution, particularly in visible-light images, which hinders accurate diagnosis of conditions like cancer-related angiogenesis, diabetic retinopathy, and cardiovascular diseases.
Innovation Solution
Generate a monochromatic image by dividing pixels of an image acquired at a first wavelength range (400-620 nm) by corresponding pixels of an image acquired at a second wavelength range (620-800 nm) to enhance contrast and spatial resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visible-light color imaging is used for retinal angiography, then the imaging method is simple and avoids fluorescent agents, but the contrast is insufficient to clearly discern smaller blood vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of light used for imaging. It acquires images at two different wavelength ranges (first wavelength range and second wavelength range) and processes them to enhance contrast. This allows maintaining the simplicity of optical imaging while achieving superior contrast for visualizing blood vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension by acquiring images at multiple wavelength ranges rather than a single wavelength. By processing images from different wavelength dimensions (combining first and second wavelength range images), it achieves enhanced contrast that overcomes the limitation of conventional single-wavelength optical imaging.
2Measurement precision
If red-free images are used instead of color images, then contrast is improved, but the method requires additional filtering complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into multiple wavelength acquisitions. Instead of using a single complex filter, it acquires images at different wavelength ranges separately and then processes them computationally. This segmentation approach achieves enhanced contrast while distributing the complexity across multiple simpler acquisition steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image processing algorithms as an intermediary to combine images from different wavelength ranges. This computational intermediary achieves the contrast enhancement that would otherwise require complex optical filtering, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving contrast.
3Productivity
If conventional imaging methods are used, then the imaging process is quick, but spatial resolution is insufficient for accurate diagnosis of microvasculature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by acquiring multiple images at different wavelength ranges before final processing. This preliminary multi-wavelength acquisition enables subsequent enhancement of spatial resolution and contrast, achieving accurate visualization of microvasculature while maintaining efficient workflow through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/optical resolution enhancement methods with computational processing. By substituting physical resolution enhancement mechanisms with image processing algorithms that operate on multi-wavelength data, it achieves superior spatial resolution without compromising imaging speed or adding mechanical complexity.
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 method produces images with higher contrast and spatial resolution, enabling more accurate automated diagnosis of pathologies by clearly defining blood vessels and tumors, and providing detailed information for health-care professionals.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring a first pixelated image of an area of interest of the surface at a first wavelength range of light
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and devices useful for imaging blood-containing tissue, for example for angiography, especially retinal angiography, whereby an image is generated by dividing pixels of an image acquired at some wavelength range by corresponding pixels of an image acquired at a different wavelength range. In some embodiments, a first wavelength range includes predominantly light having wavelengths between about 400 nm and about 620 nm and a second wavelength range includes predominantly light having wavelengths between about 620 nm and about 800 nm.