Spectral Imaging with Dynamic Beam Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectral microscopes generate spectral images of insufficient quality due to spurious artifacts, limiting effective analysis of samples such as human tissue and explosive residues.
Innovation Solution
A spectral imaging device with a tunable illumination source, image sensor, and beam path adjuster, which rapidly moves the illumination beam relative to the sample during image capture to reduce noise and improve illumination uniformity, controlled by a processor to adjust the beam path and illumination source for enhanced image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a stationary illumination beam is used for spectral imaging, then the system structure is simple, but the image quality is poor due to spurious artifacts and non-uniform illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination beam is made dynamic by rapidly scanning it across the sample during image capture. The beam position is continuously adjusted using a beam path adjuster (such as a galvanometer or MEMS mirror) to illuminate different regions of the sample sequentially, transforming the static illumination system into a dynamic one that eliminates artifacts while maintaining structural feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination beam follows a periodic scanning pattern across the sample during image acquisition. By systematically moving the beam through different positions in a controlled sequence and synchronizing the image sensor exposure with this periodic motion, the system achieves uniform illumination coverage and eliminates stationary beam artifacts without requiring complex additional components
2Reliability
If a stationary illumination beam is used, then the device complexity is low, but noise is high and illumination uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The beam path adjuster dynamically modifies the illumination beam trajectory during image capture, rapidly switching between different sample regions. This dynamic scanning approach distributes the illumination over the entire field of view, reducing localized noise and improving signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control where the beam path adjuster is controlled by a control system that monitors and adjusts the beam position in real-time during image capture. This feedback mechanism ensures precise beam positioning and uniform illumination distribution across the sample, reducing noise artifacts without requiring overly complex hardware
3Manufacturing precision
If the illumination beam is rapidly moved during image capture, then image quality and uniformity improve, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements a periodic scanning pattern that systematically moves the illumination beam across the sample in a predetermined sequence during the image exposure period. This periodic motion, synchronized with the image sensor integration time, ensures uniform illumination distribution and eliminates the need for complex real-time adaptive control algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The beam path adjuster is designed to autonomously execute the scanning pattern based on pre-programmed control signals from the control system. Once the scanning parameters are set, the system self-regulates the beam position without requiring continuous external intervention or complex real-time decision-making, thereby achieving uniform illumination with moderate control system complexity
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 solution achieves reduced noise and improved image quality by rapidly moving the illumination beam, resulting in more uniform illumination and higher resolution spectral images.
Implementation Method 1
A spectral imaging device captures one or more, two-dimensional, spectral images of a sample... a tunable illumination source that generates an illumination beam... substantially coherent illumination
Implementation Method 2
a beam path adjuster that selectively adjusts the incident sample beam path... rapidly moves the illumination beam relative to the sample during image capture to reduce noise and improve illumination uniformity
Data Source
AI summary
A spectral imaging device (1312) for capturing one or more, two-dimensional, spectral images (1313A) of a sample (1310) including (i) an image sensor (1328), (ii) an illumination source (1314), (iii) a beam path adjuster (1362), and (iv) a control system (1330). The illumination source (1314) that generates an illumination beam (1316) that is directed along an incident sample beam path (1360) at the sample (1310). The beam path adjuster (1362) selectively adjusts the incident sample beam path (1360). The control system (1330) controls (i) the illumination source (1314) to generate the illumination beam during the first capture time, (ii) the image sensor (1328) during the first capture time to capture first information for the first spectral image (1313A), and (iii) the beam path adjuster (1362) to selectively adjust the incident sample beam path (1360) relative to the sample (1310) during the first capture time while the image sensor (1328) is accumulating the information for the first spectral image (1313A).