Dual imaging apparatus

• US 20020173723A1
• Filed: 12/27/2001
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hypermed, Inc. (Hypermed Imaging Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Hypermed, Inc. (Hypermed Imaging Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schaeberle, Michael D., Zuzak, Karel J., Hopmeier, Michael J., Freeman, Jenny E., Lewis, Edgar N.
• Application Number:
  US10/026,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20020173723A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/473
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14535 for measuring haematocrit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4261 Evaluating exocrine secretion production A61B3/101 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/444 Evaluating skin marks, e.g. mole, nevi, tumour, scar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0264 Electrical interface; User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/2823 Imaging spectrometer
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/36 Investigating two or more bands of a spectrum by separate detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/3155 Measuring in two spectral ranges, e.g. UV and visible
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/35 using infrared light G01N21/39 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention is directed to imaging apparatus for performing real-time assessment and monitoring. Embodiments of the device are useful in a plurality of settings including surgery, clinical procedures, tissue assessment, diagnostic procedures, forensic, health monitoring and medical evaluations.

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:

means for fusing a thermal image and a hyperspectral data cube for assessment of biological processes.

2. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a specific visible or infrared light source, and

means for collecting visible hyperspectral images and thermal images.

3. The imaging apparatus of claim 2 wherein the light source can be controlled to limit the illumination to only a single or group of spectral bands.

4. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a collection optic, wherein the collection optic is an endoscope.

5. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

sensors for image fusion and alignment;

alignment mechanisms for aligning the two optical paths;

normal color video for displaying data and for camera alignment and aiming; and

a storage system for recording and logging of real time or near real time output.

6. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a gating device to allow the camera system to acquire data timed with the cardiac or respiratory cycle of a patient.

7. A method comprising the steps of:

acquiring thermal images from a target;

acquiring visible or infrared hyperspectral images from a target;

fusing the thermal images and visible or infrared hyperspectral images to analyze spatial distributions or feature determinations of the target.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of selecting a wavelength to maximize diagnostic information for a specific tissue state or anticipated end diagnostic goal.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the target is skin.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the target is an organ or a tissue.