Fluorescence-based detection of problematic cellular entities
Inventors
Pesala, Bala • RADHAKRISHNAN, Geethanjali • KUMAR SHA, Bikki • King, John
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12354266-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
Techniques are for detecting presence of a problematic cellular entity in a target. In an example, using an analysis model, a fluorescence-based image is analyzed. The analysis model is trained using a number of reference fluorescence-based images for detecting the presence of problematic cellular entities in targets. Based on the analysis, a problematic cellular entity present in the target is detected. To perform the detection, the analysis model is trained to differentiate between the fluorescence in the fluorescence-based image emerging from the problematic cellular entity and the fluorescence in the fluorescence-based image emerging from regions other than the problematic cellular entity.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a device for examining a target by illuminating the target with a first light source so that a marker in the target fluoresces, and by capturing a fluorescence-based image. The fluorescence-based image is formed based on light emitted by the target and includes fluorescence emerging from the target, while the image sensor directly receives the light without an optical bandpass filter disposed between the image sensor and the target. The device further obtains a thermal image of the target in which thermal radiation emerges from the target.
A processor analyzes the fluorescence-based image together with the thermal image using an analysis model, and detects the presence of a problematic cellular entity in the target based on the analysis of both images. The analysis model is trained for detecting the presence of problematic cellular entities in targets. The training and detection can include differentiating fluorescence emerging from the problematic cellular entity from fluorescence emerging from regions other than the problematic cellular entity using reference fluorescence-based images.
The document further describes use cases for wound regions with a pathogen as the target and processing for wound location identification, inflammation status, healing status, pathogen load change tracking, oxygenation, oxygenation abnormalities across multiple regions, blood flow across multiple regions from thermal imaging, and tracking changes in severity, while optionally integrating additional outputs such as segmentations and evaluation of tissue characteristics discussed for the target.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims: a device for examining a target, a system that receives images from the device and returns a detection result, and a method for examining a target. Across these independent claims, the core coverage is multimodal examination combining a filter-less fluorescence-based image with a thermal image, analyzed by a trained analysis model to detect a problematic cellular entity.
Filter-less fluorescence-based imaging combined with thermal imaging detection
A device comprising a first light source for illuminating a target that causes a marker in the target to fluoresce, an image sensor configured to directly receive light emitted by the target without an optical bandpass filter disposed between the image sensor and the target to capture a fluorescence-based image comprising fluorescence emerging from the target, and a thermal sensor to obtain a thermal image comprising thermal radiation emerging from the target; and a processor configured to analyze, using an analysis model, the fluorescence-based image and the thermal image and detect, using the analysis model, presence of a problematic cellular entity based on the analysis, wherein the analysis model is trained for detecting the presence of problematic cellular entities in targets.
Coupled examination system transmitting detection results from trained analysis
A system for examining a target comprising a processor configured to receive a fluorescence-based image and a thermal image from a device coupled to the system, analyze, using an analysis model, the fluorescence-based image and the thermal image, detect, using the analysis model, presence of a problematic cellular entity based on the analysis, wherein the analysis model is trained for detecting the presence of problematic cellular entities in targets; and transmit, to the device, a result corresponding to the detection.
Device-based examination method using filter-less fluorescence and thermal images
A method for examining a target comprising illuminating the target using a first light source to cause a marker in the target to fluoresce; capturing, by an image sensor, a fluorescence-based image formed based on light emitted by the target without an optical bandpass filter disposed between the image sensor and the target; analyzing, by a processor, the fluorescence-based image and a thermal image using an analysis model; and detecting, by the processor, presence of a problematic cellular entity in the target using the analysis model based on the analysis of the fluorescence-based image and the thermal image, wherein the analysis model is trained for detecting the presence of problematic cellular entities in targets.
Overall, the independent claims cover filter-less fluorescence-based imaging paired with thermal imaging, trained analysis model-based detection of a problematic cellular entity using both images, and implementation as a device, a system that transmits detection results, or a method performing the same core multimodal detection.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Wound regions with a pathogen as the target, including wound location identification, inflammation status, healing status, and pathogen load change tracking.
Determining oxygenation and identifying oxygenation abnormalities across multiple regions.
Deducing blood flow across multiple regions from thermal imaging and tracking changes in severity.
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