Apparatus and method for synchronizing images from an object undergoing cyclic variations

• US 20020141624A1
• Filed: 05/28/2002
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1999
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Applied Spectral Imaging Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Applied Spectral Imaging Ltd.
• Inventors: Gil, Tamir, Gil, Amir, Horn, Eli, Garini, Yuval
• Application Number:
  US10/155,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20020141624A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/128
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14553 specially adapted for cerebral tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/352 Detecting R peaks, e.g. for synchronising diagnostic apparatus; Estimating R-R interval
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7285 for synchronising or triggering a physiological measurement or image acquisition with a physiological event or waveform, e.g. an ECG signal A61B6/5205, A61B6/541, A61B8/5207, A61B8/543 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/541 involving acquisition triggered by a physiological signal

Abstract

A synchronizing imaging apparatus to obtain images from an object undergoing variations according to a cycle with the apparatus comprising an acquisition device to acquire a plurality of pre-images at respective phases over each one of a plurality of cycles, and an image matcher to match together the pre-images from different ones of said cycles according to respective phases within said cycles, to create a representation of said cycle.

Claims

1. A synchronizing imaging apparatus to obtain images from an object undergoing variations according to a cycle, the apparatus comprising:

i. an acquisition device to acquire a plurality of pre-images at respective phases over each one of a plurality of cycles, and

ii. an image matcher to match together said pre-images from different ones of said cycles according to respective phases within said cycles, thereby to create a representation of said cycle.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said acquisition device comprises at least one lens and at least one interference filter associated therewith, said lens and said interference filter both being positioned before a light intensity recording device.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said acquisition device further comprises at least one fore-optics lens positioned before said interference filter, said interference filter positioned before at least one post-optics lens, which in turn is positioned before said light intensity recording device.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said interference filter comprises a plurality of filters, each set to a respective predetermined wavelength range.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said light intensity recording device is a CCD device.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said filters are arrayed on a filter wheel controllably rotatable about its axis to selected positions to allow said filters to be individually positioned between said fore optics lens and said post optics lens.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a filter wheel coordinator controllably associated with said filter wheel to controllably position said filter wheel in coordination with pre-image acquisition.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said filter wheel coordinator comprises a processor.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said filter wheel coordinator is operable to iteratively advance said filter wheel to in coordination with acquisition of pre-images using successive filters such that a plurality of pre-images are acquired with each of said filters.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said filter wheel coordinator is operable to advance said filter wheel in a substantially continuous movement so that successive pre-images are acquired using successive ones of said filters.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said substantially continuous movement allows for pre-images to be acquired for at least one rotation of said filter wheel.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said representation is a spectral representation.

13. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said image matcher comprises:

i. a cycle phase detector to determine pre-image phase position in respective cycles, and

ii. image storage to store pre-images, filter information, and representations.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said cycle phase detector is operable to compare one pre-image to another pre-image and, based on at least one matching criterion, to match said pre-image with at least another pre-image.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said matching criteria is at least one selected from a list comprising:

intensity, contrast, size, and color.

16. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a variation sensing device is operable to identify at least one phase within respective cycles.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said variation sensing device is operable to control pre-image acquisitions so that a plurality of pre-images are acquired upon at least one substantially identical phase of respective cycles.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said image matcher is operable to match pre-images according to the phase at which pre-images were acquired and to further group said pre-images according to a respective filter used.

19. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cycle is the human heartbeat.

20. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said variation sensing device comprises a cardiac gating device.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said cardiac gating device is an ECG which is operable to output a signal whenever an R wave is detected.

22. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said object is the exposed cortex of a human brain.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein said acquiring of pre-images comprises the process of:

i. selectively positioning a filter to filter a respective pre-image;

ii. acquiring a plurality of pre-images;

iii. positioning another filter; and

iv. repeating steps ii and iii and until acquisitions have been performed with each of a predetermined set of said filters.

25. A method according to claim 23 wherein said storing of pre-images further comprises storing a respective filter identity representing said filter used to acquire said respective pre-image, and wherein said matching additionally uses said respective filter identity.

26. A method according to claim 23 wherein said matching of pre-images comprises:

i. comparing a present pre-image to at least one other pre-image to substantially match said present pre-image with at least one other pre-image, according to predetermined criteria chosen from a group consisting of contrast, intensity, and color;

ii. grouping said matched present pre-image with matches of other ones of pre-images; and

iii. ordering said grouped, matched pre-images according to respective filter information.

23. A method of obtaining pre-images from an object undergoing variations according to a cycle and to create full spectral images therefrom, comprising the steps of:

i. acquiring a plurality of filtered pre-images in respective cycles using at least one filter;

ii. storing said pre-inages; and

iii. matching pre-images from step ii according to substantially respective cycle phases to form said full spectral images.