HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20130030269A1
• Filed: 07/26/2012
• Published: 01/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: KCI Licensing Incorporated (3M Company)
• Inventors: Hutchinson, George
• Granted Patent: US 10,448,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/340
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4041 Evaluating nerves condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4076 Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system A61B5/4821, A61B5/4824 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4542 Evaluating the mouth, e.g. the jaw

Abstract

Systems and methods for analyzing sublingual microcirculation perfusion and identifying particular nerve tracts. In exemplary embodiments, a digital micro-mirror device is configured to direct a reflected light to a subject area and a controller is configured to alter a parameter of the reflected light.

Claims

1. A system for analyzing sublingual microcirculation perfusion, the system comprising:

a light source;

a digital micro-mirror device;

an optical detector;

an analyzer; and

a controller coupled to the digital micro-mirror device, wherein;

the light source is configured to emit light to the digital micro-mirror device;

the digital micro-mirror device is configured to direct a reflected light to a subject area;

the controller is configured to alter a parameter of the reflected light;

the optical detector is configured to detect a response light from the subject area; and

the analyzer is configured to analyze the response light and calculate an index indicative of the sublingual microcirculation perfusion of the subject area.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the index comprises calculations of pCO₂ levels of tissue in the subject area.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the index comprises calculations of pO₂ levels of tissue in the subject area.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to alter the wavelength of the reflected light directed to the subject area.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to alter the location of the reflected light directed to the subject area.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a filter configured to generate a spectrum of light from the light source.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to alter the parameter of the reflected light at least once per second.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to alter the parameter of the reflected light at least twice per second.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to alter the parameter of the reflected light at least three times per second and wherein the index is calculated with a fuzzy inference system or with time series analysis methods.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the analyzer is configured to generate an image of the subject area wherein the level of sublingual microcirculation perfusion is indicated by color.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the analyzer comprises a computer-readable medium configured to analyze the response light and calculate an index indicative of the sublingual microcirculation perfusion of the subject area.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the analyzer is configured to alert a user when the sublingual microcirculation perfusion is outside of a defined range.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the analyzer is configured to alert a user when the sublingual microcirculation perfusion indicates the subject area has developed systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the analyzer is configured to generate an image of the subject area wherein the nerve tract is a different color than the area surrounding the nerve tract.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the stimulator is configured as a flashing light.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the stimulator is a component of eyewear configured to be worn by a subject.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the controller is configured to alter the parameter of the reflected light at least once per second.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein the controller is configured to alter the parameter of the reflected light at least twice per second.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein the controller is configured to alter the parameter of the reflected light at least three times per second.

21. The system of claim 13 wherein the analyzer comprises a computer-readable medium configured to analyze the response light and generate an image of the subject area.

14. A system for identifying a nerve tract, the system comprising:

a light source;

a digital micro-mirror device;

an optical detector;

an analyzer;

a controller coupled to the digital micro-mirror device; and

a stimulator configured to provide a stimulus to a nerve tract, wherein;

the light source is configured to emit light to the digital micro-mirror device;

the digital micro-mirror device is configured to direct a reflected light to a subject area;

the controller is configured to alter a parameter of the reflected light;

the optical detector is configured to detect a response light from the subject area; and

the analyzer is configured to analyze the response light and generate an image of the subject area wherein the nerve tract is distinguished from an area surrounding the nerve tract.

22. A method for analyzing sublingual microcirculation perfusion, the method comprising:

directing light to a digital micro-mirror device;

directing a reflected light from the digital micro-mirror device to a subject area;

dynamically controlling the reflected light from micro-mirror device to the subject area;

detecting a response light from the subject area; and

analyzing the response light from the subject area and calculating an index indicative of the sublingual microcirculation perfusion of the subject area.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein dynamically controlling the reflected light from the micro-mirror device to the subject area comprises altering a parameter of the reflected light at least once per second.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein dynamically controlling the reflected light from the micro-mirror device to the subject area comprises altering a parameter of the reflected light at least twice per second.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein dynamically controlling the reflected light from the micro-mirror device to the subject area comprises altering a parameter of the reflected light at least three times per second.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the parameter comprises the wavelength of the reflected light.

27. The method of claims 23 wherein the parameter comprises the location of the reflected light.

28. A method for identifying a nerve tract, the method comprising:

providing a stimulus to a nerve tract;

directing light to a digital micro-mirror device;

directing a reflected light from the digital micro-mirror device to a subject area;

dynamically controlling the reflected light from micro-mirror device to the subject area;

detecting a response light from the subject area; and

analyzing the response light from the subject area and generating an image of the subject area wherein the nerve tract is distinguished from an area surrounding the nerve tract.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein dynamically controlling the reflected light from the micro-mirror device to the subject area comprises altering a parameter of the reflected light at least once per second.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein dynamically controlling the reflected light from the micro-mirror device to the subject area comprises altering a parameter of the reflected light at least twice per second.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein dynamically controlling the reflected light from the micro-mirror device to the subject area comprises altering a parameter of the reflected light at least three times per second.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the parameter comprises the wavelength of the reflected light.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the parameter comprises the location of the reflected light.