Multi-mode internal imaging

• US 20060253013A1
• Filed: 07/12/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xenogen Corporation (Revvity, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Xenogen Corporation (Revvity, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rice, Bradley W., Cable, Michael D., Nilson, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,881,773 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/40 Animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0035 adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography
• 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 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4417 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5247 combining images from an ionising-radiation diagnostic technique and a non-ionising radiation diagnostic technique, e.g. X-ray and ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/13 Tomography A61B8/10, A61B8/12 take precedence; tomography for radiation diagnosis A61B6/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4416 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6456 Spatial resolved fluorescence measurements; Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/76 Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/1603 with a combination of at least two different types of detector see provisionally also G01T1/16
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/1648 Ancillary equipment for scintillation cameras, e.g. reference markers, devices for removing motion artifacts, calibration devices adapted for flow studies G01T1/1647
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/2985 In depth localisation, e.g. using positron emitters; Tomographic imaging (longitudinal and transverse section imaging; apparatus for radiation diagnosis sequentially in different planes, steroscopic radiation diagnosis); using external radiation sources A61B6/02

Abstract

The invention described herein provides systems and methods for multi-modal imaging with light and a second form of imaging. Light imaging involves the capture of low intensity light from a light-emitting object. A camera obtains a two-dimensional spatial distribution of the light emitted from the surface of the subject. Software operated by a computer in communication with the camera may then convert two-dimensional spatial distribution data from one or more images into a three-dimensional spatial representation. The second imaging mode may include any imaging technique that compliments light imaging. Examples include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer topography (CT). An object handling system moves the object to be imaged between the light imaging system and the second imaging system, and is configured to interface with each system.

Claims

1. A system for providing multiple types of imaging data for an internal portion of an object, the system comprising:

a light imaging system for providing light data related to light emitted from a light source located inside the object, the light imaging system including

an imaging chamber comprising an interior cavity, and

a camera configured to capture light data from the object while the object is in the interior cavity;

a second imaging system configured to provide imaging data for the internal portion of the object and having a receiving area that allows the internal portion to be imaged while the object is in the receiving area; and

an object handling system for transferring the object between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the receiving area of the second imaging system.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the object handling system comprises a portable stage that supports the object during light imaging in the light imaging system and imaging in the second imaging system.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the object handling system is configured to transfer the object between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the receiving area of the second imaging system without substantially moving the object on the portable stage.

4. The system of claim 2 further comprising a gas delivery system configured to deliver an anesthesia gas to at least one gas delivery outlet that provides the anesthesia gas to the object while the object rests on the portable stage.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the second imaging system is configured to produce spatial information for the internal portion.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the light imaging system is configured to produce functional information for the internal portion.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the second imaging system is configured to produce three dimensional spatial information for the internal portion and the light imaging system is configured to produce three dimensional functional information for the internal portion.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the imaging chamber is configured such that the interior cavity is substantially light tight from the space outside the imaging chamber.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the object handling system is configured to move the object within the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein an exterior wall of the imaging chamber comprises a moveable interface having:

a hole that receives the portable stage therethrough;

a first circular bearing disposed between the exterior wall and a wall of the moveable interface and permits rotation between the exterior wall and the wall of the moveable interface; and

a second circular bearing that permits rotation between the wall of the moveable interface and the object handling system.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the computer tomography system is configured to acquire topology information for the object.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the processing device is configured to use the topology information to assist three dimensional reconstruction of the light source located inside the object.

13. A system for providing multiple types of imaging data for an internal portion of an object, the system comprising:

a light imaging system for providing light data related to light emitted from a light source located inside the object, the light imaging system including

an imaging chamber comprising an interior cavity, and

a camera configured to capture light data from the object while the object is in the interior cavity;

a computer tomography system including

an X-ray producer configured to emit X-rays that pass through the object while resting on a portable stage included in the object handling system and positioned in the receiving area, and

an array of X-ray sensors that receive the X-rays;

an object handling system for transferring the object between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the receiving area of the computer tomography system; and

a processing device in logical communication with the light imaging system, in logical communication with the computer tomography system, and in logical communication with the object handling system, wherein the processor combines three-dimensional spatial information provided by the computer tomography system with three-dimensional functional information provided by the light imaging system.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the object handling system comprises a portable stage that supports the object during light imaging in the light imaging system and imaging in the computer tomography system.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the computer tomography system is configured to acquire topology information for the object.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the processing device is configured to use the topology information to assist three dimensional reconstruction of the light source located inside the object.

17. A system for providing multiple types of imaging data for an internal portion of an object, the system comprising:

a light imaging system for providing light data related to light emitted from a light source located inside the object, the light imaging system including

an imaging chamber comprising an interior cavity, and

a camera configured to capture light data from the object while the object is in the interior cavity;

a magnetic resonance imaging system including a tubular cavity passing through a magnetic resonance imaging magnet, the tubular cavity comprising the receiving area that receives the object while resting on a stage included in the object handling system;

an object handling system for transferring the object between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the receiving area of the second imaging system; and

at least one processing device in logical communication with the light imaging system, in logical communication with the magnetic resonance imaging system, and in logical communication with the object handling system, wherein the processor combines three-dimensional spatial information provided by the magnetic resonance imaging system with three-dimensional functional information provided by the light imaging system.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the object handling system comprises a portable stage that supports the object during light imaging in the light imaging system and imaging in the computer tomography system.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the portable stage includes no metal parts.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the object handling system is configured to transfer the object between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the receiving area of the computer tomography system without substantially moving the object on the portable stage.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein the magnetic resonance imaging system is configured to acquire topology information for the object.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the processing device is configured to use the topology information to assist three dimensional reconstruction of the light source located inside the object.

23. A system for providing multiple types of imaging data for an internal portion of an object, the system comprising:

a light imaging system for providing light data related to light emitted from a light source located inside the object, the light imaging system including

an imaging chamber comprising an interior cavity, and

a camera configured to capture light data from the object while the object is in the interior cavity;

a second imaging system configured to provide imaging data for the internal portion of the object and having a receiving area that allows the internal portion to be imaged while the object is in the receiving area; and

an object handling system for transferring the object between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the receiving area of the second imaging system, wherein the object handling system includes a light seal that is configured to interface with a light seal on an exterior wall of the imaging chamber and provide a substantially light tight seal between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the space outside the imaging chamber while the portable stage is within the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the object handling system comprises a portable stage that supports the object during light imaging in the light imaging system and imaging in the second imaging system.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the object handling system is configured to transfer the object between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the receiving area of the second imaging system without substantially moving the object on the portable stage.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the imaging chamber is configured such that the interior cavity is substantially light tight from the space outside the imaging chamber when the object is on the stage and in the interior cavity.

27. The system of claim 23 wherein the object handling system is configured to move the object within the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

28. The system of claim 23 wherein an exterior wall of the imaging chamber comprises a moveable interface having:

a hole that receives the portable stage therethrough;

a first circular bearing disposed between the exterior wall and a wall of the moveable interface and permits rotation between the exterior wall and the wall of the moveable interface; and

a second circular bearing that permits rotation between the wall of the moveable interface and the object handling system.

29. A system for providing multiple types of imaging data for an internal portion of an object, the system comprising:

a light imaging system for providing light data related to light emitted from a light source located inside the object, the light imaging system including

an imaging chamber comprising an interior cavity, and

a camera configured to capture light data from the object while the object is in the interior cavity;

a nuclear medicine imaging system including one or more sensors that detect radioactive emissions produced by a radioactive substance within the object when the object is in a receiving area for the nuclear medicine imaging system, wherein the nuclear medicine imaging system is one of a positron emission tomography system and a single photon emission computed tomography system; and

an object handling system for transferring the object between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the receiving area of the second imaging system.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the nuclear medicine imaging system is configured to acquire structural information for the object.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein the nuclear medicine imaging system is configured to acquire topology information for the object.

32. The system of claim 29 wherein the nuclear medicine imaging system is configured to acquire functional information related to a tumor inside the object.

33. A system for providing multiple types of imaging data for an internal portion of an object, the system comprising:

a light imaging system for providing light data related to light emitted from a light source located inside the object, the light imaging system including

an imaging chamber comprising an interior cavity, and

a camera configured to capture light data from the object while the object is in the interior cavity;

a positron emission tomography system including one or more sensors that detect radioactive emissions produced by a radioactive substance within the object when the object is in a receiving area for the nuclear medicine imaging system, and including a circular gamma ray detector array that includes a set of scintillation crystals each connected to a photomultiplier tube; and

an object handling system for transferring the object between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the receiving area of the second imaging system.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the positron emission tomography system is configured to acquire structural information for the object.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the positron emission tomography system is configured to acquire topology information for the object.

36. The system of claim 33 wherein the positron emission tomography system is configured to acquire functional information related to a tumor inside the object.

37. A method for obtaining multiple types of imaging data for an object, the method comprising:

capturing light data emitted from a light source located inside the object while the object is in the interior cavity of a light imaging system,

wherein the interior cavity of the light imaging chamber contains between about 10³ to about 10¹⁰ photons/second/centimeter squared/steradian when the light data is captured; and

obtaining imaging data of an internal portion of the object while the object is in a receiving area of a second imaging system.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the second imaging system is separate from the light imaging system.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein the second imaging system is a magnetic resonance imaging system.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein the second imaging system is a computer tomography imaging system and obtaining imaging data comprises receiving the imaging data using an array of X-ray sensors that detect the X-rays emitted from the object.

41. The method of claim 40 further comprising:

combining three-dimensional spatial information provided by the computer tomography imaging system with three-dimensional functional information provided by the light imaging system.

42. The method of claim 37 further comprising obtaining anatomical information regarding the object from the second imaging system and using the anatomical information to obtain the three-dimensional representation of the light source located inside the object.