Upconversion Nanoparticles Convert NIR to Visible Light for CMOS Bioimaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioimaging methods using near-infrared (NIR) light require expensive equipment, such as indium-gallium-arsenide (InGaAs) image sensors, to capture bioimages effectively, which limits their widespread adoption due to high costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The use of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to convert NIR light into visible light, which is then captured using a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, specifically a silicon (Si)-based CMOS sensor, allowing for bioimage generation at a lower cost and with safer, more accessible technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If InGaAs image sensors are used to capture NIR light for bioimaging, then the quality and effectiveness of bioimage capture is improved, but the equipment cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces upconversion nanoparticles as an intermediary substance that converts NIR light into visible light. This mediator enables the use of standard CMOS image sensors instead of expensive InGaAs sensors, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by translating the detection task into a domain where inexpensive sensors can operate effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the wavelength parameter of the light being detected. By using upconversion nanoparticles to shift NIR wavelengths to visible wavelengths, the system can utilize standard CMOS sensors that are optimized for visible light detection, thus achieving high-quality bioimaging without requiring specialized expensive sensors designed for NIR detection
2Device complexity
If visible light is used for bioimaging, then the equipment cost is reduced and biocompatibility is improved, but the light transmission through the living body is insufficient for detecting internal phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic or pulsed NIR light irradiation onto the living body, with upconversion nanoparticles converting specific wavelength bands to visible light that is then captured by the CMOS sensor. This periodic action allows sufficient light transmission through tissue while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
Upconversion nanoparticles serve as a mediator that enables visible light detection after NIR light has successfully transmitted through the living body. The nanoparticles are positioned to receive the transmitted NIR light and convert it to visible light, thus overcoming the limitation of visible light transmission while maintaining the cost benefits of visible light detection
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 the capture of bioimages similar to x-ray images using NIR light and a general CMOS image sensor, reducing equipment costs and complexity while ensuring safety, allowing for rapid and effective anatomical feature visualization without the need for expensive InGaAs sensors.
Implementation Method 1
converting the NIR light passed through the living body, into visible light using upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an in vivo bioimaging method including irradiating near-infrared (NIR) light onto a living body, converting the NIR light passed through the living body, into visible light using upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), and generating a bioimage of the living body by receiving the visible light using a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.