Integrated imaging apparatus

• US 20040236229A1
• Filed: 10/06/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Edgar Neil Lewis, James Mansfield, Jenny E. Freeman, Michael E. Leventon, Michael J. Hopmeier
• Original Assignee: Edgar Neil Lewis, James Mansfield, Jenny E. Freeman, Michael E. Leventon, Michael J. Hopmeier
• Inventors: Lewis, Edgar Neil, Mansfield, James, Hopmeier, Michael J., Freeman, Jenny E., Leventon, Michael E.
• Application Number:
  US10/678,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20040236229A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/474
• 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 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0073 by tomography, i.e. reconstruction of 3D images from 2D projections A61B5/0066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/015 By temperature mapping of body part
• 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 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/442 Evaluating skin mechanical properties, e.g. elasticity, hardness, texture, wrinkle assessment
• 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

Abstract

The invention is directed to imaging apparatus for performing real-time or near 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 integration of spatial, spectral and temporal features, and optionally other physiologic data or calibration data, in a spectral and temporal multi modal imaging system for the evaluation of biological systems and stimuli; and

means for fusing a thermal image or other imaging modalities and hyperspectral data cube for assessment of biological processes.

2. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated features are two or more of visible or infrared hyperspectral images, visible or infrared brightfield images, thermal images, fluorescence images, Raman images, or combinations thereof.

3. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a specific UV, visible or infrared light source, and

means for collecting two or more of visible or infrared hyperspectral images, visible or infrared brightfield images, thermal images, fluorescence images, Raman images, or combinations thereof.

4. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source can be controlled to limit the illumination to only a single or group of spectral bands.

5. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 wherein the multimodal imaging systems includes a collection optic that is an endoscope.

6. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising inputs for signals from instruments monitoring a biological function to allow the synchronization of the collection of images to the biological process.

7. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

on-board CCD chip filter and processing electronics to perform data operations prior to transmission of signal to increase processing speed; and

inputs for a physiological monitoring system.

8. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

sensors for image fusion and alignment;

alignment mechanisms for aligning multiple 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.

9. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for stabilizing and integrating imagery and data sets in a temporally and geometrically dynamic environment in such a way that the integrated data sets can be interpreted.

10. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an image registration device to maintain image centering.

11. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a reference frame device that is visible in the images across multiple spectra as well as in thennal images for multi-modal fusion.

12. The imaging apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a tracked imaging apparatus comprising a means of creating a unified spatial mosaic of individual hyperspectral image cubes taken at various locations and times.

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