Multi-Wavelength Spectral Imaging for Contrast Agent Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoacoustic imaging methods face difficulties in accurately discerning the structure of contrasting targets, such as blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, due to challenges in distinguishing regions with contrast agents from those with hemoglobin.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that utilize a formula (1) to calculate an index correlated with oxygen saturation and pseudo-concentration distribution of contrast agents, enabling separation of hemoglobin and contrast agent regions based on photoacoustic waves generated at multiple wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If photoacoustic imaging is performed using a contrast agent, then the visibility of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels is improved, but the ability to distinguish contrast agent regions from hemoglobin regions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the photoacoustic signal analysis by calculating separate indices for hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation using multi-wavelength photoacoustic waves. This segmentation allows independent evaluation of hemoglobin and contrast agent regions, resolving the overlap problem and enabling clear distinction between different tissue components while maintaining high visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spectral dimension by utilizing multiple wavelengths of light for photoacoustic imaging. By analyzing photoacoustic waves at different wavelengths and calculating oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration indices, the system adds a spectral dimension to the imaging, enabling differentiation between contrast agent and hemoglobin that cannot be achieved with single-wavelength imaging alone.
2Device complexity
If single-wavelength photoacoustic imaging is used, then the imaging process is simple, but the ability to separate hemoglobin and contrast agent regions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spectral dimension by utilizing multiple wavelengths of light for photoacoustic imaging. By analyzing photoacoustic waves at different wavelengths and calculating oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration indices, the system adds a spectral dimension to the imaging, enabling differentiation between contrast agent and hemoglobin that cannot be achieved with single-wavelength imaging alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of light wavelength from single to multiple wavelengths, and introduces new calculated parameters (oxygen saturation index, hemoglobin concentration index) derived from multi-wavelength photoacoustic signals. These parameter changes enable spectral unmixing that separates the contributions of hemoglobin and contrast agent, achieving high separation accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized processing algorithms.
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
Facilitates the easy ascertainment of the structure of contrasting targets by generating spectral images that clearly differentiate between hemoglobin and contrast agent regions, enhancing the visibility of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.
Implementation Method 1
photoacoustic imaging using a contrast agent... projects light with a wavelength which is absorbed by the contrast agent to generate photoacoustic waves
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes spectral image acquisition means that acquires a spectral image that is an image generated using photoacoustic signals corresponding to a plurality of different wavelengths, based on photoacoustic waves generated by radiating lights with the plurality of different wavelengths to an object into which a contrast agent has been injected, contrast agent information acquisition means that acquires information about the contrast agent, region determination means that determines a region corresponding to the contrast agent in the spectral image on the basis of the information about the contrast agent, and display control means that displays the spectral image such that the region corresponding to the contrast agent is distinguishable from a region other than the region corresponding to the contrast agent.