Modular system for multi-modal imaging and analysis
Inventors
DaCosta, Ralph S. • Treadwell, Simon • Wright, Connor • Dampitan, Kimberlyn • Daynes, Todd • Meaney, Todd • Annis, Carl • Dunham, Danielle • Mistry, Nitesh
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12245840-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A portable, modular handheld imaging system is disclosed. The modular system comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion includes at least one excitation light source. A first filter is configured to detect and permit passage of selected optical signals responsive to illumination with the excitation light to a first image sensor. A second filter is configured to detect and permit passage of selected optical signals responsive to illumination of the target surface with white light to a second image sensor. The second housing portion is configured to releasably receive the first housing portion. The second housing portion includes a display and a processor configured to receive the detected fluorescent and white light optical signals and to output a representation of the target surface to the display based on the detected optical signals.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a portable, handheld imaging system that performs fluorescent imaging and white light imaging of a target surface. The system includes at least one excitation light source configured to emit excitation light during fluorescent imaging, and a first image sensor configured to detect fluorescent wavelengths when the imaging system is in a fluorescent imaging mode. A first filter is fixed to the first image sensor and permits passage of optical signals responsive to illumination of the target surface with the excitation light, the filter having a wavelength corresponding to one or more of bacterial fluorescence, bacterial autofluorescence, tissue fluorescence, and tissue autofluorescence.
In parallel with the fluorescent imaging, the system provides a white light pathway. A white light source emits white light during white light imaging, and a second image sensor detects image data responsive to illumination of the target surface with the white light when the imaging system is in a white light imaging mode. A second filter is fixed to the second image sensor and permits passage of optical signals having a wavelength in the visible light range, and the system also includes a third image sensor and a third filter fixed to the third image sensor, both having a wavelength in the visible light range.
A processor receives detected fluorescent and white light optical signals and outputs a representation of the target surface to a display based on the detected optical signals. A portable, modular implementation is described in which a first housing portion includes the excitation light source, image sensors, and fixed filters, while a second housing portion includes a display and a processor and is configured to releasably receive the first housing portion.
The described system is also configured as an interchangeably configurable kit with multiple optical housing portions that can be releasably received by a base housing, enabling the display and processor to combine fluorescent and white-light detection into a composite representation of the illuminated portion.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes four independent claims: a portable handheld system, a portable modular handheld imaging system, a portable modular handheld imaging system kit, and a method of operating the device. The independent inventive features center on multi-modal fluorescent and visible white-light imaging using excitation light, fixed wavelength-selective filters coupled to corresponding image sensors, and a processor that outputs a composite representation on a display.
Portable, handheld multi-modal fluorescent and white light imaging with fixed filters and multiple sensors
A portable, handheld imaging system with at least one excitation light source for fluorescent imaging, a first image sensor configured to detect fluorescent wavelengths in a fluorescent imaging mode, and a first filter fixed to the first image sensor to permit passage of optical signals corresponding to one or more of bacterial fluorescence, bacterial autofluorescence, tissue fluorescence, and tissue autofluorescence; a white light source for white light imaging, a second image sensor for detecting image data in a white light imaging mode, and a second filter fixed to the second image sensor to permit passage of optical signals in a visible light range; and a third image sensor with a third filter fixed to the third image sensor, also permitting passage of optical signals in a visible light range; with a processor receiving detected fluorescent and white light optical signals and outputting a representation of the target surface to a display based on the detected optical signals.
Portable modular handheld imaging with releasably received housing portion and integrated display and processing
A portable, modular handheld imaging system with a first housing portion comprising the excitation light source, the first image sensor, and the first filter fixed to the first image sensor for fluorescent wavelengths; a white light source, a second image sensor, and a second filter fixed to the second image sensor for visible light range optical signals; and a third image sensor with a third filter fixed to the third image sensor for visible light range optical signals; and a second housing portion configured to releasably receive the first housing portion, the second housing portion comprising a display and a processor configured to receive detected fluorescent and white light optical signals and output a representation of the target surface to the display based on the detected optical signals.
Portable modular handheld imaging kit with interchangeably received optical housing portions
A portable, modular handheld imaging system kit with a plurality of optical housing portions, each optical housing portion comprising the excitation light source, the first image sensor, and the first filter fixed to the first image sensor for fluorescent wavelengths; a white light source, a second image sensor, and the second filter fixed to the second image sensor for visible light range optical signals; and a third image sensor and the third filter fixed to the third image sensor for visible light range optical signals; and a base housing portion configured to releasably receive, interchangeably, each optical housing portion and comprising a display, a power source configured to power the at least one excitation light source and the white light source, and a processor configured to receive the detected fluorescent and white light optical signals and output a representation of the target surface to the display based on the detected optical signals.
Method of operating a modular handheld fluorescence-based imaging device using multi-filter, multi-sensor composite display
A method of operating a modular, handheld fluorescence-based imaging device by selecting an optical housing with optical components including at least one excitation light source for fluorescence imaging; connecting the selected optical housing to a base body housing to provide power from a power source to the optical components; illuminating a target with the at least one excitation light source to cause one or more of a part, a component, and a biomarker of the illuminated portion of the target to fluoresce, to reflect light, or to absorb light; filtering a plurality of optical signals responsive to the illumination, including preventing passage of reflected excitation light and permitting passage of optical signals having a wavelength corresponding to one or more of bacterial fluorescence, bacterial autofluorescence, tissue autofluorescence and exogenous tissue fluorescence through a set of at least three filters including a first fluorescent filter, a second white light filter, and a third white light filter contained in the optical housing; detecting the filtered optical signals with a set of at least three sensors including a first fluorescent sensor, a second white light sensor, and a third white light sensor contained in the optical housing, with the first fluorescent filter fixed to the first fluorescent sensor, the second white light filter fixed to the second white light sensor, and the third white light filter fixed to the third white light sensor; and displaying the detected, filtered signals on at least one display of the base body housing as a composite image of the illuminated portion of the target, the composite image comprising fluorescent representations of various tissue components present in the illuminated portion of the target.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is a modular, portable handheld imaging approach that uses excitation light for fluorescent imaging and visible-range white light imaging, with fixed filters aligned to corresponding fluorescence and visible sensors, and a processor that outputs a composite representation of the target surface or illuminated portion to a display. The kit and modular housing claims further define releasable/interchangeable optical housing portions with power and processing provided by a base or second housing portion.
Stated Advantages
Provides a composite representation of the target surface to a display based on detected fluorescent and white light optical signals.
Enables fluorescent representations of various tissue components present in the illuminated portion of the target.
Supports portable modular configurations, including a releasably received housing portion and interchangeably received optical housing portions in a kit.
Supports use of multiple wavelength-selective filters and corresponding sensors to detect fluorescent and visible white light signals.
Documented Applications
Wound (human/animal) and other surface applications using fluorescence imaging and white-light imaging.
Contamination detection, including on food surfaces.
Longitudinal guidance as described for guidance over time.
Guidance associated with detecting bacterial/tissue fluorescence and autofluorescence and combining fluorescent and white-light signals into a composite representation.
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