Structured-Light Imaging With Single-Pixel Detection for Fast Fluorescence
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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 and mechanical constraints, particularly in the visible light range, making them unsuitable for applications in life sciences and medicine.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed imaging method utilizing 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 using time series signal information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If array type detecting elements are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical array-type detecting elements with a single pixel detector combined with optical coding. Instead of using multiple physical detectors arranged in arrays, the system uses optical codes (such as Hadamard codes) to encode spatial information into temporal or intensity variations that a single detector can measure, thereby eliminating the need for complex array structures while maintaining imaging precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies of the object through coded illumination patterns. By projecting structured light patterns (codes) onto the object and detecting the reflected or emitted light with a single pixel detector, the system reconstructs the object's image through computational decoding, effectively creating multiple virtual measurement copies without physical array elements.
2Device complexity
If single pixel detector is used, then device complexity is reduced, but imaging speed is limited by mechanical/electrical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through the use of coded illumination patterns that are projected in sequences. By using periodic code patterns (such as Hadamard sequences) and detecting the temporal variations in light intensity, the system achieves high-speed imaging without mechanical scanning, as the coding scheme allows parallel acquisition of multiple spatial measurements through temporal multiplexing.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical spatial scanning with laser is used, then measurement precision is improved, but imaging speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical scanning by replacing it with optical coding. Instead of physically moving the laser or detector to scan spatial positions, the system uses spatial light modulators to project different coded patterns onto the object simultaneously, and a single pixel detector captures the encoded information. Computational algorithms then decode the spatial distribution from the temporal signal, achieving both high precision and high speed without mechanical motion.
4Speed
If STEAM is used, then imaging speed is improved, but applicable light wavelength range is limited to long wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing an optical coding imaging system that can operate across multiple wavelength ranges. The core methodology using coded illumination and single pixel detection is wavelength-agnostic, allowing the system to be adapted to visible, infrared, and other wavelength ranges by simply changing the light source and detector characteristics, without fundamentally altering the imaging principle. This enables the system to handle both long wavelengths (like STEAM) and visible wavelengths equally well.
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 while changing relative positions between the object to be observed and any one of the optical system and the detecting system
Data Source
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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.