Integrated microtomography and optical imaging systems

Inventors

Stearns, Daniel G. • Nilson, David G. • Rice, Bradley W.

Assignees

Caliper Life Sciences Inc

Abstract

An integrated microtomography and optical imaging system includes a rotating table that supports an imaging object, an optical stage, and separate optical and microtomography imaging systems. The table rotates the imaging object about a vertical axis running therethrough to a plurality of different rotational positions during a combined microtomography and optical imaging process. The optical stage can be a trans-illumination, epi-illumination or bioluminescent stage. The optical imaging system includes a camera positioned vertically above the imaging object. The microtomography system includes an x-ray source positioned horizontally with respect to the imaging object. Optical and x-ray images are both obtained while the imaging object remains in place on the rotating table. The stage and table are included within an imaging chamber, and all components are included within a portable cabinet. Multiple imaging objects can be imaged simultaneously, and side mirrors can provide side views of the object to the overhead camera.

Core Innovation

The disclosed invention provides an integrated microtomography and optical imaging system with an imaging chamber adapted to contain an imaging object and a table located within the imaging chamber to support the imaging object. An optical imaging system located within or about the imaging chamber includes a camera positioned relative to the table such that a first axis extends orthogonally from a surface of the table toward the camera, and a microtomography imaging system is configured to obtain one or more x-ray images using an x-ray source and an x-ray sensor aligned along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis.

To enable optical imaging of multiple perspectives without moving the imaging object out of the imaging chamber, the system includes at least one mirror positioned on the table. The mirror has a reflective surface oriented at an angle with respect to a surface of the table, and the optical imaging system obtains a first optical image by detecting light propagating from the imaging object to the camera along the first axis and a second optical image by detecting light from the imaging object reflected by the at least one mirror.

The optical images and the one or more x-ray images are both obtained while the imaging object remains within the imaging chamber, enabling integrated acquisition. The first optical image corresponds to a top or bottom view and the second optical image corresponds to a side view via the mirror, and the method obtains multiple x-ray images including at least one x-ray image in which x-rays pass through the mirror along the second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claims Coverage

The patent includes two independent claims covering 5 inventive features: an integrated system for simultaneous orthogonal optical and x-ray microtomography imaging with a table-mounted mirror, and a corresponding method acquiring simultaneous optical views and multiple x-ray images with an x-ray-through-mirror direction constraint.

Across the independent claims, the core inventive features are simultaneous optical and x-ray microtomography imaging using orthogonal first and second axes, enabled by at least one angled mirror positioned on the table to produce an additional optical side view while the imaging object remains within the imaging chamber. The method claim further requires that at least one x-ray image corresponds to x-rays passing through the mirror along the second orthogonal direction, with the optical views corresponding to top/bottom versus side.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications