Rolling Shutter Fluorescence Imaging with Liquid Crystal Light Shutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rolling shutter imagers are not currently used for fluorescence visualization in open-field surgeries due to ambient lighting contamination, which is particularly challenging for them.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a liquid crystal light shutter to selectively block visible light from reaching the imager, allowing fluorescence light to pass through even when the shutter is closed, thereby reducing ambient light interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rolling shutter imager is used for fluorescence visualization, then cost-effectiveness, robustness, and higher resolution are improved, but ambient lighting contamination worsens
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid crystal light shutter is introduced as an intermediary component between the illumination source and the rolling shutter imager. This shutter selectively blocks visible light from reaching the imager while allowing fluorescence light to pass through, thereby eliminating ambient lighting contamination without sacrificing the advantages of rolling shutter imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal light shutter dynamically changes its optical properties (transparency/opacity) based on the imaging requirements. By controlling the shutter's state, the system can switch between blocking visible light and allowing it to pass, thereby adapting to different imaging conditions and eliminating ambient light contamination when needed
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a liquid crystal light shutter is used to block visible light, then ambient light interference is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical shutter is replaced with a liquid crystal light shutter that uses electro-optic effects to control light transmission. This substitution eliminates the need for moving mechanical parts while achieving the same function of blocking visible light, thereby reducing device complexity despite the addition of the shutter component
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal light shutter serves multiple functions: it blocks visible light during fluorescence imaging, allows visible light during white-light imaging, and can be controlled dynamically based on imaging requirements. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile control over light transmission
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
Enables clearer fluorescence imaging by preventing visible light contamination, maintaining the advantages of rolling shutter imagers such as cost-effectiveness, robustness, and higher resolution.
Implementation Method 1
Utilizing a liquid crystal light shutter to selectively block visible light from reaching the imager, allowing fluorescence light to pass through even when the shutter is closed
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to techniques for imaging tissue of a subject. An exemplary method comprises transitioning a (liquid crystal) light shutter to an open state to allow reflected light from illuminating the tissue of the subject with a visible-light illumination source to accumulate charge at a plurality of rows of pixels of an imager; transitioning the light shutter to a closed state to prevent the imager from receiving visible light; during a first readout period, reading accumulated charge to produce a first set of imaging data; while the light shutter is in the closed state, illuminating the tissue of the subject with a fluorescence excitation illumination source; during a second readout period after the first readout period, reading accumulated charge to produce a second set of imaging data; and generating image frames based on the first set of imaging data and the second set of imaging data.