Hyperspectral/multispectral imaging system with simultaneous white light imaging
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Publication Number
US-12402786-B2
Publication Date
2025-09-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A hyperspectral imaging method and system including cameras with simultaneous white light imaging capability are presented. A video system includes a camera and a light source adapted to provide white light illumination at a first frame rate suitable for live video, and to provide intermittent narrowband illumination for individual frames interspersed among the white light illuminated frames, where the spectrum of the narrowband illumination varies amongst the interspersed frames permitting a series of at least two differently illuminated narrowband interspersed frames to be assembled into a multispectral or hyperspectral data cube at a second frame rate. The system also includes a processor adapted to receive an image signal and create a live video feed based on the white light illuminated frames by replacing the narrowband illuminated frames with generated or previously collected frames.
Core Innovation
The endoscopic video system provides white-light illumination at a first frame rate suitable for live video and intersperses individual narrowband-illuminated frames at regular or irregular intervals. The narrowband spectrum varies among those frames so that at least two differently illuminated frames form a multispectral or hyperspectral data cube at a second frame rate. The processor replaces narrowband frames in the live feed with frames generated from time-adjacent white-light frames.
The method images both frame types onto a focal plane array image sensor at the medical scope and generates the data cube from narrowband frames. The partial content does not include the background section, so the problem being solved is not explicitly described in patent. It also describes images that indicate tissue oxygenation, tissue water index, or perfusion, which can be displayed separately from the live video feed.
Claims Coverage
The supplied relevant claims identify two independent claims: claim 1, directed to an endoscopic video system, and claim 14, directed to a method. Four main inventive features are summarized below, covering illumination and frame handling, and processor operations, for each independent claim.
Interspersed variable-spectrum illumination
Claim 1 recites a light source adapted to provide white light illumination at a first frame rate suitable for live video and to interrupt it with narrowband illumination for individual frames interspersed among the white-light frames. The narrowband spectrum varies among the interspersed frames sufficiently for at least two differently illuminated frames to be assembled into a multispectral or hyperspectral data cube at a second frame rate.
Live video and data-cube generation
Claim 1 recites a processor that creates a live video feed based on white-light illuminated frames by replacing narrowband illuminated frames with frames generated from one or more time-adjacent white-light illuminated frames, and generates a multispectral or hyperspectral data cube at a second frame rate based on the narrowband illuminated frames.
Medical-scope imaging with interspersed illumination
Claim 14 recites causing a light source for a medical scope to provide white light illumination for frames at a first frame rate suitable for live video, then interrupting the white-light illumination with narrowband illumination for interspersed individual frames whose spectra vary sufficiently for at least two differently illuminated frames to be assembled into a multispectral or hyperspectral data cube. The method images both frame types onto a focal plane array image sensor at the medical scope.
Processor replacement and data-cube generation
Claim 14 recites receiving an image signal based on sensor data and creating a live video feed from the white-light illuminated frames by replacing narrowband illuminated frames with frames generated from one or more time-adjacent white-light illuminated frames. The processor also generates a multispectral or hyperspectral data cube at a second frame rate based on the narrowband illuminated frames.
The independent claims cover a system and a method that combine white-light frames for a live video feed with interspersed variable-spectrum narrowband frames for data-cube generation. Both use adjacent white-light-derived frames to replace narrowband frames in the live feed while retaining the narrowband frames for multispectral or hyperspectral processing.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Endoscopic video imaging using a medical scope, including generating images from a multispectral or hyperspectral data cube that indicate tissue oxygenation, tissue water index, or perfusion.
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