Structured-Light Imaging With Single-Pixel Detection for Fast Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies face limitations in achieving high-speed, high-sensitivity, and cost-effective imaging due to electrical restrictions, mechanical constraints, and limited wavelength ranges, particularly in visible light, making them unsuitable for applications in life sciences and medicine.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed imaging method using an optical system with a structured lighting pattern and a small number of pixel detectors, where the relative positions between the object and the optical system are changed to detect optical signals and reconstruct images, allowing for efficient signal detection and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If array type detecting elements are used for imaging, then detection coverage is improved, but imaging speed is limited due to electrical restrictions and device cost/size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented into two parts: a single pixel detector for high-speed signal reception and a spatial light modulator for creating structured lighting patterns that encode spatial information. This segmentation allows the detector to operate at its maximum speed without the electrical bandwidth limitations of array detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms spatial information into temporal information by using structured lighting patterns that scan across the sample over time. The single pixel detector captures temporal signal variations that correspond to different spatial positions, effectively converting a 2D spatial detection problem into a 1D temporal measurement problem.
2Device complexity
If single pixel detector with spatiotemporal structured illumination is used, then device cost and size are reduced, but imaging speed is limited due to mechanical/electrical constraints in changing illumination light
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial light modulator generates structured lighting patterns that are modulated at high frequencies, creating periodic illumination that encodes spatial information in the temporal domain. This periodic modulation allows the single pixel detector to capture spatially-resolved information through frequency-domain analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with an electrically-controlled spatial light modulator that can rapidly change illumination patterns without moving parts. This substitution eliminates mechanical constraints and enables faster imaging speeds while maintaining the benefits of single pixel detection.
3Productivity
If STEAM method is used, then imaging capability is achieved, but repetition frequency of pulsed laser becomes a constraint and the system is expensive and large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial light modulator serves multiple functions: it creates structured lighting patterns for spatial encoding, modulates illumination intensity for signal modulation, and can be controlled electrically without requiring complex pulsed laser systems. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining imaging capability.
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 enables high-speed imaging with a high signal-to-noise ratio, reduces costs, and allows for compact designs, overcoming the speed and sensitivity limitations of existing technologies, including visible fluorescence imaging.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system with a structured lighting pattern
Implementation Method 2
one or a small number of pixel detectors configured to detect optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
Any one or both of an optical system with a structured lighting pattern and a structured detecting system having a plurality of regions with different optical characteristics are used. In addition, optical signals from an object to be observed through one or a small number of pixel detectors are detected while changing relative positions between the object to be observed and any one of the optical system and the detecting system, time series signal information of the optical signals are obtained, and an image associated with an object to be observed from the time series signal information is reconstructed.