Optical Imaging Spectral Shift Assessment Fluorophore Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser-induced fluorescence imaging is prone to uncertainties due to dynamic suppression, resonance energy transfer, and scattering, leading to inexact data and limited discrimination between healthy and cancerous tissues, necessitating an optical imaging method that provides robust images minimally impacted by environmental and system variations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating a sample by mixing an object with a fluorophore, stimulating it with a laser beam, extracting fluorescence spectra, detecting peaks and peak wavelengths, and using a database to infer fluorophore concentrations, thereby generating concentration and fluorescence images that are less affected by environmental and system variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser-induced fluorescence imaging is used to obtain images of fluorophore distribution, then fluorescence intensity can be used to provide images showing fluorophore concentration distribution, but the images are impacted by various phenomena such as dynamic suppression, resonance energy transfer, and scattering, leading to inexact data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from fluorescence intensity to spectral shift (wavelength displacement). Instead of measuring the intensity of emitted light which is affected by dynamic suppression, resonance energy transfer, and scattering, the method measures the shift in wavelength of the emitted fluorescence spectrum. This spectral shift parameter is inherently more reliable as it directly correlates with fluorophore concentration without being significantly impacted by the aforementioned phenomena, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and data reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the intensity-based measurement mechanism with a spectral analysis mechanism. Rather than relying on the brightness or intensity of fluorescence emission which requires precise calibration and is sensitive to environmental variations, the system uses spectral decomposition and peak wavelength detection. This substitution of measurement approach eliminates the need for intensive calibration procedures and provides more robust quantitative data on fluorophore concentration distribution
2Ease of operation
If fluorescence intensity is used for imaging, then images can be obtained showing fluorophore distribution, but precise calibration of imaging devices is required and details may be lost or altered due to environmental variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-calibrating measurement approach where the spectral shift serves as an intrinsic reference that automatically compensates for environmental variations and system parameter changes. The method extracts spectral information from the fluorescence emission itself, using the peak wavelength position as a natural reference point that does not require external calibration standards or complex calibration procedures. This self-service mechanism maintains image detail accuracy while simplifying the operational complexity of the imaging system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spectral analysis as an intermediary process between fluorescence excitation and image formation. Instead of directly converting fluorescence intensity to image data, the system first performs spectral decomposition to identify peak wavelengths, then uses these spectral characteristics to generate the final image. This intermediary spectral measurement step acts as a buffer that filters out environmental noise and system variations, preserving image details without requiring precise calibration of the entire imaging chain
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 provides robust and detailed images of fluorophore concentration distribution, enhancing the discrimination between healthy and cancerous tissues by minimizing the impact of environmental and system-related uncertainties.
Implementation Method 1
molecules of fluorophores are stimulated by exposing them to a laser light. LIF imaging is based on spectroscopy of emitted light from fluorophores
Implementation Method 2
spectral shift assessment... detecting a plurality of fluorescence peaks and a plurality of peak wavelengths... each peak wavelength may be associated with the respective fluorescence peak
Data Source
AI summary
A method for optical imaging based on spectral shift assessment. The method includes generating a sample by mixing an object with a fluorophore, stimulating the sample by emitting a laser beam, extracting a plurality of fluorescence spectra from a plurality of fluorescence emissions emitted from the sample, detecting a plurality of fluorescence peaks and a plurality of peak wavelengths in the plurality of fluorescence spectra, extracting a plurality of fluorophore concentrations from a database, and generating a concentration image. The plurality of peak wavelengths are detected by detecting a respective peak wavelength of the plurality of peak wavelengths. Each of the plurality of fluorophore concentrations is associated with a respective peak wavelength of the plurality of peak wavelengths. The concentration image includes a first plurality of pixels. The concentration image is generated based on a respective fluorophore concentration of the plurality of fluorophore concentrations.