Speckle Pattern Analysis via Digital Spatial Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing speckle patterns from biological tissue, such as Laser Speckle Imaging (LSI) and Speckle Plethysmography (SPG), face challenges in accurately isolating speckle patterns from variations in light intensity, leading to potential false signals and reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a digital spatial filter procedure to enhance speckle patterns by compensating for variations in light intensity, thereby isolating the speckle pattern from other image features. This method includes receiving a time sequence of images, applying a digital spatial filter to each image to generate a filtered image, and analyzing the filtered image to determine a speckle pattern value representing the amount of distinguishable speckles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods (LSI/SPG) are used to analyze speckle patterns, then the analysis can be performed with simple processing, but light intensity variations cause false signals and reduced accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into distinct stages: first applying a spatial filter to isolate speckle patterns from light intensity variations, then analyzing the filtered speckle patterns. This segmentation allows each processing stage to focus on specific features, improving accuracy while managing complexity through modular processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate filtered image as a mediator between the raw image and the final speckle analysis. This intermediate representation contains only the speckle pattern information with light intensity variations removed, serving as a clean bridge that enables accurate speckle measurement without direct interference from intensity variations.
2Measurement precision
If digital spatial filter procedure is applied to enhance speckle patterns, then the morphology of speckles is enhanced and light intensity variations are compensated, but the processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the digital spatial filter procedure as a preliminary action before speckle pattern analysis. By pre-filtering the images to remove light intensity variations and enhance speckle morphology in advance, the subsequent analysis operates on cleaned data, reducing the need for complex corrective processing and potentially decreasing overall processing time despite the added filtering step.
3Ease of operation
If speckle contrast is used to extract information from biological tissue, then the method is simple to implement, but it cannot distinguish between speckle pattern changes and light intensity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the speckle pattern information from the raw image by applying a spatial filter that selectively removes light intensity variation components. This extraction process isolates the speckle contrast information caused by tissue perfusion from confounding intensity variations, maintaining simplicity while preserving information accuracy through selective feature extraction.
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 effectively enhances the morphology of speckle patterns, reduces errors caused by light intensity variations, and provides a more reliable analysis of speckle patterns, leading to improved accuracy and reduced false signals in medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
Speckles are interference patterns generated when a coherent light source, such as a laser, is used to illuminate a surface
Implementation Method 2
When the illuminated surface is static the speckle pattern will be static and form bright and dark dots
Implementation Method 3
if the surface presents changes in time, such as movements or scattering changes, the speckle pattern will be perturbated
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present inventive concept there is provided a method for analyzing a speckle pattern from biological tissue, the method comprising: receiving a time sequence of images of the speckle pattern, wherein each image of the time sequence of images comprises a plurality of elements; and for each respective image of the time sequence of images: applying a digital spatial filter procedure to the image for enhancing areas in the image corresponding to speckles of the speckle pattern, thereby generating a filtered image wherein a morphology of speckles of the speckle pattern is enhanced by compensation for variations in light intensity in the image; and analyzing the filtered image to determine a speckle pattern value representing an amount of distinguishable speckles of the speckle pattern in at least one region of the filtered image.