Real time spectroscopic imaging system and method
First Claim
1. A spectroscopic imaging system for analyzing a test sample, the system comprising, in combination:
- input optics for receiving and focusing image light from said test sample;
an optical filter for receiving and filtering said focused image light to thereby pass a plane image, said optical filter capable of being selectively tuned to either a single passband wavelength or to multiple passband wavelengths simultaneously, where said filter is alternately tuned to alternately pass a plane image comprising at least a single passband wavelength and a plane image comprising multiple passband wavelengths;
a planar optical detector array for receiving said plane image; and
an image processor connected to the optical detector for receiving first and second image data from said optical detector, said first image data representing said plane image when said optical filter is tuned to said at least a single passband wavelength and said second image data representing said plane image when said optical filter is tuned to said multiple passband wavelengths simultaneously, and for processing said first and second image data to thereby generate a composite plane image permitting real time analysis of the test sample.
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Accused Products
Abstract
To dramatically reduce image data processing requirements in spectroscopic imaging systems, an optical filter is alternatingly tuned to a pair of selected passband wavelengths related to an absorption wavelength of a sample under test, such that only light of the two selected wavelengths received from the test sample are recorded as alternating image frames by a CCD optical detector. Successive pairs of consecutive image frames are computer processed, on a corresponding pixel-by-pixel basis, to generate a series of composite image frames that may be displayed in enhanced contrast to permit real time analysis of a sample characteristic of interest.
59 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A spectroscopic imaging system for analyzing a test sample, the system comprising, in combination:
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input optics for receiving and focusing image light from said test sample; an optical filter for receiving and filtering said focused image light to thereby pass a plane image, said optical filter capable of being selectively tuned to either a single passband wavelength or to multiple passband wavelengths simultaneously, where said filter is alternately tuned to alternately pass a plane image comprising at least a single passband wavelength and a plane image comprising multiple passband wavelengths; a planar optical detector array for receiving said plane image; and an image processor connected to the optical detector for receiving first and second image data from said optical detector, said first image data representing said plane image when said optical filter is tuned to said at least a single passband wavelength and said second image data representing said plane image when said optical filter is tuned to said multiple passband wavelengths simultaneously, and for processing said first and second image data to thereby generate a composite plane image permitting real time analysis of the test sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for performing spectroscopic analysis of a test sample comprising the steps of:
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focusing image light from a test sample on an optical filter; successively tuning said optical filter to at least a single passband wavelength and to multiple passband wavelengths simultaneously; optically detecting and storing the plane image; and receiving first and second image data of the plane image, said first image data representing said plane image when said optical filter is tuned to said at least a single passband wavelength and said second image data representing said plane image when said optical filter is tuned to said multiple passband wavelengths simultaneously; processing the first and second image data to construct a composite plane image permitting real time analysis of the test sample. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification