Multi-mode internal imaging

• US 9,008,758 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2010
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xenogen Corporation (Revvity, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Xenogen Corporation (Revvity, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cable, Michael D., Rice, Bradley W., Nilson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): COOK, CHRISTOPHER L
• Application Number:
  US12/978,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20110092813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,573 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600/411, 600/415, 600/427, 600/431, 600/436, 600/476, 560/1, 128/203.12, 25036302-36304, 140/7, 141/1, 141/5, 142/7, 143/1, 143/6, 147/6
• US Class Current: 600/427
• 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 multi-modal imaging system configured to provide multiple types of imaging data for an internal portion of an object being imaged, the multi-modal imaging system comprising:

a light imaging system configured to provide three-dimensional functional information related to light emitted from a light source located inside an object being imaged during a light imaging mode, the light imaging system including an imaging chamber comprising an interior cavity, a camera, and a first sealing member, wherein the object being imaged emits between about 10³ and about 10¹⁰ photons/second/centimeter squared/steradian;

a computer tomography imaging system configured to provide three-dimensional spatial information for the internal portion of the object being imaged during an x-ray imaging mode, said computer tomography imaging system including an X-ray producer configured to emit X-rays that pass through the object being imaged and an array of X-ray sensors that receive the X-rays;

a movable stage that supports the object being imaged during and between both the light and x-ray imaging modes such that the multi-modal imaging system images the object in both the light and x-ray imaging modes without substantially disturbing the position of the object during and between imaging modes, the movable stage comprising a second sealing member configured to interface with the first sealing member to provide a substantially light tight seal between the interior cavity of the imaging chamber and a space outside the imaging chamber when the movable stage is within the interior cavity; and

at least one processing device in logical communication with both the light imaging system and the computer tomography imaging system,

wherein the at least one processing device is configured to construct a three-dimensional representation of a light source distribution within the object by combining the three-dimensional spatial information provided by the computer tomography imaging system with the three-dimensional functional information provided by the light imaging system; and

wherein the movable stage is configured to translate the object being imaged along a first direction between the light imaging system and the computer tomography imaging system, and to rotate the object within the light imaging system about an axis parallel to the first direction and to an elongate direction of the object.

2. The multi-modal imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging chamber is configured such that the interior cavity is substantially light tight from an ambient space outside the imaging chamber during imaging.

3. The multi-modal imaging system of claim 1, wherein the movable stage remains in a horizontal orientation when the object is being imaged within the imaging chamber.

4. A multi-modal system for imaging an object, comprising:

an imaging system adapted to image the object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image, the first imaging mode being a computed tomography x-ray mode or other x-ray mode, and to image the object in a second imaging mode different from the first imaging mode to capture a second image, the second imaging mode comprising measuring fluorescence or luminescence from the inside the object, wherein the object being imaged emits between about 10³ and about 10¹⁰ photons/second/centimeter squared/steradian;

a movable stage that supports the object during and between the first and second imaging modes such that the multi-modal imaging system images the object in the first imaging mode and images the object in the second imaging mode without substantially disturbing the position of the object during or between imaging modes, the movable stage comprising a sealing member that interfaces with the imaging system to provide a substantially light tight seal between an interior cavity of the imaging system and a space outside the imaging chamber when the movable stage is within the interior cavity; and

an electronic processor connected to the imaging system and configured to;

combine object image information obtained in the first imaging mode and object image information obtained in the second imaging mode; and

construct a three-dimensional representation of a light source distribution within the object based on the combined information,

wherein the movable stage is configured to translate the object along a first direction after imaging in the first imaging mode and before imaging in the second imaging mode, and to rotate the object about an axis parallel to the first direction and to an elongate direction of the object during imaging in the second imaging mode.

5. The multi-modal system of claim 4, wherein the imaging system comprises a CCD camera.

6. The multi-modal system of claim 4, wherein the imaging system comprises an array of X-ray sensors.

7. A method of imaging an object, comprising:

providing a movable stage that supports the object during imaging;

imaging the object in a first imaging mode to capture a first image, the first imaging mode being a computed tomography x-ray mode or other x-ray mode;

translating the movable stage with the object thereon along a first direction after the first imaging mode;

interfacing a sealing member of the movable stage with a sealing member of an imaging chamber to provide a substantially light tight seal between an interior cavity of the imaging chamber and a space outside the imaging chamber;

imaging the object in the interior cavity in a second imaging mode that uses light from within the object to capture a second image, the second imaging mode being a fluorescence mode or a luminescence mode;

during the imaging in the second imaging mode, rotating the object about an axis parallel to the first direction and to an elongate direction of the object; and

combining information from the first image and information from the second image, and constructing a three-dimensional representation of a light source distribution within the object based on the combined information,

wherein the object being imaged emits between about 10³ and about 10¹⁰ photons/second/centimeter squared/steradian; and

wherein the position of the object on the movable stage is not substantially disturbed during the imaging, translating, and rotating steps.