Image detection apparatus for fluorescence and reflectance imaging and spectroscopy and for contemporaneous measurements of electromagnetic radiation with multiple measuring devices

• US 7,253,894 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2005
• Issued: 08/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verisante Technology Inc.
• Original Assignee: Perceptronix Medical Inc.
• Inventors: Zeng, Haishan, Lam, Stephen, Palcic, Branko Mihael
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr.; Gregory J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GEISEL, KARA E
• Application Number:
  US11/053,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20050203421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 356/72, 356/326
• US Class Current: 356/326
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/021 using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or particular reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0235 using means for replacing an element by another, for replacing a filter or a grating
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0243 having a through-hole enabling the optical element to fulfil an additional optical function, e.g. a mirror or grating having a throughhole for a light collecting or light injecting optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0289 Field-of-view determination; Aiming or pointing of a spectrometer; Adjusting alignment; Encoding angular position; Size of measurement area; Position tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/36 Investigating two or more bands of a spectrum by separate detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2223/076 X-ray fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/223 by irradiating the sample with X-rays or gamma-rays and by measuring X-ray fluorescence

Abstract

Optical systems that provide for simultaneous images and spectra from an object, such as a tissue sample, an industrial object such as a computer chip, or any other object that can be viewed with an optical system such as a microscope, endoscope, telescope or camera. In some embodiments, the systems provide multiple images corresponding to various desired wavelength ranges within an original image of the object, as well as, if desired, directional pointer(s) that can provide both an identification of the precise location from which a spectrum is being obtained, as well as enhancing the ability to point the device.

Claims

1. An image and spectral detection system comprising an image detector disposed substantially coplanar at an image plane with a light collection element for a spectroscopy device, the image detector and the light collection element together sized to receive a light beam, wherein the light collection element is movable relative to said image detector.

2. The image and spectral detection system of claim 1 wherein the image detector and the light collection element are side-by-side.

3. The image and spectral detection system of claim 2 wherein the light collection element is encompassed by the image detector.

4. The image and spectral detection system of claim 2 wherein the light collection element is located substantially in the center of the image detector.

5. The image and spectral detection system of claim 1 wherein the image detector has an area sized to receive the light beam and the light collection element is less than about 3% of the area of the image detector.

6. The image and spectral detection system of claim 1 wherein the light collection element is a measurement port for a spectroscopy device located immediately behind the image detector.

7. The image and spectral detection system of claim 1 wherein the light collection element is an input end of a light guide that transmits collected light to a remotely located spectroscopy device.

8. The image and spectral detection system of claim 1 wherein the light collection element is a focusing element that transmits collected light to a remotely located spectroscopy device.

9. The image and spectral detection system of claim 1 wherein the light collection element is a mirror that transmits collected light to a remotely located spectroscopy device.

10. The image and spectral detection system of claim 1 wherein the imaging device is able to determine spectra and wherein the light collection element comprises a portion of the imaging device dedicated to spectral determination.

11. An image and spectral detection system comprising an image detector disposed substantially coplanar in an x-y plane with a light collection element for a spectroscopy device, the image detector and the light collection element together sized to receive a light beam wherein the light collection element is an input end of a light guide that transmits collected light to a remotely located spectroscopy device.

12. An image and spectral detection system comprising an image detector disposed substantially coplanar in an x-y plane with a light collection element for a spectroscopy device, the image detector and the light collection element together sized to receive a light beam wherein the light collection element is a focusing element that transmits collected light to a remotely located spectroscopy device.

13. An image and spectral detection system comprising an image detector disposed substantially coplanar at an image plane with a light collection element for a spectroscopy device, the image detector and the light collection element together sized to receive a light beam wherein the light collection element is a mirror that transmits collected light to a remotely located spectroscopy device.

14. An image and spectral detection system comprising an image detector disposed substantially coplanar in an x-y plane with a movable light collection element for a spectroscopy device, the image detector and the light collection element together sized to receive a light beam, wherein the light collection element is a focusing element that transmits collected light to a remotely located spectroscopy device.

15. An image and spectral detection system comprising an image detector disposed substantially coplanar in an x-y plane with a movable light collection element for a spectroscopy device, the image detector and the light collection element together sized to receive a light beam, wherein the light collection element is a mirror that transmits collected light to a remotely located spectroscopy device.

16. An image and spectral detection system comprising an image detector disposed substantially coplanar in an x-y plane with a movable light collection element for a spectroscopy device, the image detector and the light collection element together sized to receive a light beam, wherein the imaging device is able to determine spectra and wherein the light collection element comprises a portion of the imaging device dedicated to spectral determination.