Methods, systems and computer program products for visualizing anatomical structures and blood flow and perfusion physiology using imaging techniques
Inventors
Chen, Cheng • Ferguson, JR., Thomas Bruce • Jacobs, Kenneth Michael • Peng, Zhiyong
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10722173-B2
Publication Date
2020-07-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods for combining anatomical data and physiological data on a single image are provided. The methods include obtaining an image, for example, a raw near-infrared (NIR) image or a visible image, of a sample. The image of the sample includes anatomical structure of the sample. A physiologic map of blood flow and perfusion of the sample is obtained. The anatomical structure of the image and the physiologic map of the sample are combined into a single image of the sample. The single image of the sample displays anatomy and physiology of the sample in the single image in real time. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes real-time Velocity-Flow-Anatomy (VFA) imaging that combines a single-camera visible-light and/or near-infrared anatomical image with a physiologic map of blood flow and perfusion. The physiologic map is generated using laser speckle imaging, laser Doppler imaging, or a blood-flow and perfusion angiography resemblance from a fluorescence image. Combining the anatomical structure and physiologic map produces a single image displaying anatomy and physiology in real time.
The disclosed implementations include a method, a computer system, and a computer program product. Image combination can use colorization, transparency, weighting, or RGB fusion, and multiple images with corresponding physiologic maps can provide real-time video. The supplied partial content does not include background text identifying a specific problem being solved, so that problem is not explicitly described in the provided patent content.
Claims Coverage
The three independent claims are claim 1, directed to a method; claim 9, directed to a computer system; and claim 17, directed to a computer program product. Together, they cover three inventive features for combining anatomical data and physiological data in a real-time image.
Method for combining anatomical and physiological data
Obtaining a single-camera raw near-infrared image and/or visible-light image that includes anatomical structure, obtaining a physiologic map of blood flow and perfusion using laser speckle imaging, laser Doppler imaging, or a fluorescence image, and combining the anatomy and map into a single image displaying both in real time, with at least one step performed by a processor.
Computer system for combining anatomical and physiological data
A processor and coupled memory containing program code that obtains a single-camera raw near-infrared image and/or visible-light image that includes anatomical structure, obtains a blood-flow and perfusion map using laser speckle imaging, laser Doppler imaging, or a fluorescence image, and combines them into a single image displaying anatomy and physiology in real time.
Computer program product for combining anatomical and physiological data
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing program code to obtain a single-camera raw near-infrared image and/or visible-light image that includes anatomical structure, obtain a blood-flow and perfusion map using laser speckle imaging, laser Doppler imaging, or a fluorescence image, and combine them into a single image displaying anatomy and physiology in real time.
The independent claims cover the same real-time combination of a single-camera anatomical image and a blood-flow and perfusion map through method, computer-system, and computer-program-product implementations.
Stated Advantages
The image-combination approaches can preserve anatomical detail while displaying physiology.
Documented Applications
Tissue and organ assessment, including surgical and other clinical imaging.
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