Short-wave infrared super-continuum lasers and similar light sources for imaging applications

• US 10,136,819 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2018
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omni Medsci, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Omni Medsci, Inc.
• Inventors: Islam, Mohammed N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rahman, Md M
• Application Number:
  US15/888,052
• Publication Number:
  US 20180153410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 296 Days
• Field of Search: 356300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/146 for optical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2576/02 specially adapted for a particular organ or body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 for oral or dental tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4547 Evaluating teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7257 using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/104 Monochromatic plural sources
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1208 Prism and grating
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/2826 Multispectral imaging, e.g. filter imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 : using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/108 : for measurement in the infrared range
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/14 : using refracting elements, e.g. prisms G01J3/18, G01J3/26 take precedence prisms per se G02B5/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/1838 : Holographic gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/28 : Investigating the spectrum using colour filters G01J3/51
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/2823 : Imaging spectrometer
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/42 : Absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry beam switching arrangements G01J3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/453 : by correlation of the amplitudes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/38 : by using light G01M3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/3595 : using FTIR
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/399 : Diode laser
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/35 : using infrared light G01N21/39 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3563 : for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/359 : using near infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/39 : using tunable lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/85 : Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/88 : Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9508 : Capsules; Tablets
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0221 : Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/061 : Sources
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/06113 : Coherent sources; lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 : LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/08 : Optical fibres; light guides
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/12 : Circuits of general importance; Signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/129 : Using chemometrical methods
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/02 : Food
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/025 : Fruits or vegetables
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/15 : Medicinal preparations ; Physical properties thereof, e.g. dissolubility drug screening with animal cells G01N33/5008
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/442 : Resins, plastics
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/49 : Blood chemical methods for determining blood cell populations G01N33/5094; chemical analysis of blood groups or blood types G01N33/80
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/0092 : Nonlinear frequency conversion, e.g. second harmonic generation [SHG] or sum- or difference-frequency generation outside the laser cavity nonlinear frequency conversion per se G02F1/35
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/06758 : Tandem amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/302 : in an optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

An imaging device includes laser diodes (LDs) generating near-infrared wavelength light, lenses configured to deliver the light to tissue, a first receiver having one or more detectors, and a first part with at least one of the LDs capable of being pulsed. The first receiver receives light reflected from the tissue and is synchronized to the pulsed light and configured to perform a time-of-flight measurement. An infrared camera receives light reflected by the tissue from a second part of the imaging device. The camera captures light while the second part is off, and while the second part is on to generate corresponding signals, and differences the signals to generate an image. An array of LDs generates a grid of spots on the tissue, which is reflected to the camera. A coupled phone, tablet, or computer receives and processes the time-of-flight measurement, the image, and the reflected grid of spots.

Claims

1. An imaging device, comprising:

a first part of the imaging device comprising a first at least one of a plurality of laser diodes, the first at least one of the plurality of laser diodes configured to be pulsed;

a second part of the imaging device comprising a second at least one of the plurality of laser diodes;

the plurality of laser diodes configured to generate light having one or more optical wavelengths, wherein at least a portion of the one or more optical wavelengths is a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers;

a first one or more lenses configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the plurality of laser diodes and to direct at least the portion of the light to tissue;

an array of laser diodes configured to generate light formed as a plurality of spots, the light having one or more optical wavelengths, wherein at least a portion of the one or more optical wavelengths is a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers;

a second one or more lenses configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the array of laser diodes and to direct at least the portion of the light from the array of laser diodes to tissue;

a first receiver comprising one or more detectors;

the first receiver configured to receive at least a portion of light reflected from the tissue from the first one of the plurality of laser diodes, wherein the first receiver is configured to be synchronized to the at least one of the plurality of pulsed laser diodes and is configured to perform a time-of-flight measurement;

an infrared camera configured to receive at least a portion of light from the second one of the plurality of laser diodes reflected from the tissue;

the infrared camera configured to;

generate a first signal while the plurality of laser diodes and the array of laser diodes are off; and

generate a second signal while the second part of the imaging device is on and the first part of the imaging device and the array of laser diodes are off, the second signal based at least in part on a portion of the light from the second part of the imaging device reflected from the tissue;

wherein the infrared camera is configured to difference the first signal and the second signal to generate a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image;

the imaging device coupled to one of a smart phone, tablet, or computer, the smart phone, tablet, or computer comprising a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter, a display, a voice input module, and a speaker, the smart phone, tablet, or computer configured to receive and to process at least a portion of the time-of-flight measurement, the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image, and the received light from the plurality of spots reflected from the tissue.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first at least one of the plurality of laser diodes and the second at least one of the plurality of laser diodes comprise the same laser diode or diodes.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the array of laser diodes is configured to generate the plurality of spots by using an assembly in front of the array of laser diodes.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more lenses configured to receive and to direct the portion of the light from the array of laser diodes comprises a cylindrical lens in front of the array of laser diodes.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first receiver further comprises one or more filters in front of the one or more detectors to select a fraction of the one or more optical wavelengths.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first at least one of the plurality of laser diodes configured to be pulsed has a modulation frequency, and wherein the first receiver is configured to use a lock-in technique that detects the modulation frequency.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first receiver is configured to perform narrow band filtering at the modulation frequency.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the modulation frequency has a phase, and wherein the first receiver is configured to lock onto the phase.

9. An imaging device, comprising:

a first part comprising a first at least one of a plurality of laser diodes, the at least a first one of the plurality of laser diodes configured to be pulsed;

a second part comprising a second at least one of the plurality of laser diodes;

the plurality of laser diodes configured to generate light having one or more optical wavelengths, wherein at least a portion of the one or more optical wavelengths is a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers;

a first one or more lenses configured to receive at least a portion of light from the plurality of laser diodes and to direct the at least a portion of the light to tissue;

an array of laser diodes configured to generate light formed as a plurality of spots, the light having one or more optical wavelengths, wherein at least a portion of the one or more optical wavelengths is a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers;

a second one or more lenses configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the array of laser diodes and to direct the at least a portion of the light from the array of laser diodes to tissue;

a first receiver comprising one or more detectors;

the first receiver configured to receive at least a portion of light reflected from the tissue from the at least first one of the plurality of laser diodes, wherein the first receiver is configured to perform a time-of-flight measurement by measuring a time difference between the generated light from the first at least one of the plurality of laser diodes and light reflected from the tissue from the first at least one of the plurality of laser diodes;

an infrared camera configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the second one of the plurality of laser diodes reflected from the tissue and to generate a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image;

the imaging device coupled to one of a smart phone, tablet, or computer, the smart phone, tablet, or computer comprising a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter, a display, a voice input module, and a speaker, the smart phone, tablet, or computer configured to receive and to process at least a portion of the time-of-flight measurement, the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image, and the received light from the plurality of spots reflected from the tissue.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the infrared camera is further configured to:

generate a first signal while the plurality of laser diodes and the array of laser diodes are off; and

generate a second signal while the second part is on and the first part and the array of laser diodes are off, the second signal based at least in part on a portion of the light from the second part reflected from the tissue;

wherein the infrared camera is further configured to difference the first signal and the second signal to generate the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the one or more lenses configured to receive and to direct a portion of the light from the array of laser diodes comprises a cylindrical lens in front of the array of laser diodes.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the first receiver further comprises one or more filters in front of the one or more detectors to select a fraction of the one or more optical wavelengths.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least first one of the plurality of laser diodes configured to be pulsed has a modulation frequency, and wherein the first receiver is configured to use a lock-in technique that detects the modulation frequency.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first receiver is configured to perform narrow band filtering at the modulation frequency.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the modulation frequency has a phase, and wherein the first receiver is configured to lock onto the phase.

16. The device of claim 9 wherein the first at least one of the plurality of laser diodes comprises the same diode or diodes as the second at least one of the plurality of laser diodes.

17. An imaging device, comprising:

a first part of the imaging device comprising at least a first one of a plurality of laser diodes, the at least a first one of the plurality of laser diodes configured to be pulsed;

a second part of the imaging device comprising at least a second one of the plurality of laser diodes;

the plurality of laser diodes configured to generate light having one or more optical wavelengths, wherein at least a portion of the one or more optical wavelengths is a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers;

a first one or more lenses configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the laser diodes and to direct the at least a portion of the light to tissue;

an array of laser diodes configured to generate light formed as a plurality of spots by using an assembly in front of the array of laser diodes, the light having one or more optical wavelengths, wherein at least a portion of the one or more optical wavelengths is a near-infrared wavelength between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers;

a second one or more lenses configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the array of laser diodes and to direct the at least a portion of the light from the array of laser diodes to tissue;

a first receiver comprising one or more detectors;

the first receiver configured to receive at least a portion of light reflected from the tissue from the at least first one of the plurality of laser diodes, wherein the first receiver is configured to be synchronized to the pulsing of the at least first one of the plurality of laser diodes and is configured to perform a time-of-flight measurement;

an infrared camera configured to receive at least a portion of light reflected from the tissue from the at least second one of the plurality of laser diodes and to generate a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image;

the imaging device coupled to one of a smart phone, tablet, or computer comprising a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter, a display, a voice input module, and a speaker, the smart phone, tablet, or computer configured to receive and to process at least a portion of the time-of-flight measurement, the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image, and the received plurality of spots light reflected from the tissue.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the at least first one of the plurality of laser diodes and the at least second one of the plurality of laser diodes comprise the same laser diode or diodes.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the infrared camera is further configured to:

generate a first signal while the plurality of laser diodes and the array of laser diodes are off; and

generate a second signal while the second part of the imaging device is on and the first part of the imaging device and the array of laser diodes are off, the second signal based at least in part on a portion of the light from the second part of the imaging device reflected from the tissue;

wherein the infrared camera is further configured to difference the first signal and the second signal to generate the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the time-of-flight measurement is performed by measuring a time difference between the generated light from the at least first one of the plurality of laser diodes and the light reflected by the tissue from the at least first one of the plurality of laser diodes.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein the first receiver further comprises one or more filters in front of the one or more detectors to select a fraction of the one or more optical wavelengths.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least first one of the plurality of laser diodes has a modulation frequency, and wherein the first receiver is configured to use a lock-in technique based on the modulation frequency.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the first receiver is configured to perform narrow band filtering at the modulation frequency, and wherein the modulation frequency has a phase, and wherein the first receiver is configured to lock onto the phase.