Multi-mode internal imaging

• US 20060258941A1
• Filed: 07/12/2006
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xenogen Corporation (Revvity, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Xenogen Corporation (Revvity, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rice, Bradley W., Cable, Michael D., Nilson, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,813,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• 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. An object handling system for positioning an object in an interior cavity of an imaging chamber included in a light imaging system, the system comprising:

a stage that supports the object;

a manipulator configured to move the stage between the interior cavity of the imaging chamber and the ambient area surrounding the imaging chamber; and

a light seal configured to interface with a light seal on an exterior wall of the imaging chamber and configured to provide a substantially light tight seal between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the space outside the imaging chamber while the stage is within the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

2. The object handling system of claim 1 wherein the manipulator is configured to move the stage within the interior cavity of the light imaging system.

3. The object handling system of claim 2 wherein the object handling system moves the object in two dimensions within the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

4. The object handling system of claim 1 wherein the stage comprises no metal parts.

5. The object handling system of claim 1 wherein the interior cavity includes less than about 10¹⁰ photons/second/centimeter squared/steradian when the stage is in the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

6. The object handling system of claim 5 wherein the interior cavity includes between about 10³ and about 10¹⁰ photons/second/centimeter squared/steradian when the stage is in the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

7. The object handling system of claim 1 wherein the manipulator is configured to be passive while the stage moves in the imaging chamber.

8. The object handling system of claim 7 wherein the manipulator is configured to allow passive rotation about an axis that passes through the imaging chamber.

9. The object handling system of claim 1 wherein a portion of the stage that supports the object is substantially transparent.

10. The object handling system of claim 9 wherein the portion comprises a substantially transparent wire array.

11. The object handling system of claim 1 further comprising a gas delivery system configured to deliver an anesthesia gas to at least one gas delivery outlet that provides the anesthesia gas to the object while the object rests on the stage.

12. The object handling system of claim 1 further comprising a light reference having a position detectable by the light imaging system and a secondary reference having a position detectable by a second imaging system.

13. An object handling system for positioning an object in an interior cavity of an imaging chamber included in a light imaging system, the system comprising:

a stage that supports the object;

a manipulator configured to move the stage between the interior cavity of the imaging chamber and the ambient area surrounding the imaging chamber; and

a light seal configured to interface with a light seal on an exterior wall of the imaging chamber, p1 wherein the interior cavity includes between about 10³ and about 10¹⁰ photons/second/centimeter squared/steradian when the stage is in the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

14. The object handling system of claim 13 wherein the light seal of the object handling system interfaces with the light seal on an exterior wall of the imaging chamber.

15. The object handling system of claim 14 wherein an exterior wall of the imaging chamber comprises a moveable interface having:

a hole that receives the stage therethrough;

a first circular bearing disposed between the exterior wall and a wall of the moveable interface and permits rotation between the exterior wall and the wall of the moveable interface; and

a second circular bearing that permits rotation between the wall of the moveable interface and the object handling system when the stage is in the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

16. The object handling system of claim 13 wherein the light seal is configured to provide a substantially light tight seal between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the space outside the imaging chamber while the stage is within the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

17. The object handling system of claim 13 wherein the light seal comprises a compressible material that is compressed when the stage is positioned in the interior cavity.

18. The object handling system of claim 17 wherein the compressible material creates a substantially light-tight seal that prevents light penetration by light from the ambient room into interior cavity.

19. An object handling system for positioning an object in an interior cavity of an imaging chamber included in a light imaging system, the system comprising:

a stage that supports the object, wherein a portion of the stage is substantially transparent;

a manipulator configured to move the stage between the interior cavity of the imaging chamber and the ambient area surrounding the imaging chamber; and

a light seal configured to interface with a light seal on an exterior wall of the imaging chamber and configured to provide a substantially light tight seal between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the space outside the imaging chamber while the stage is within the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

20. The object handling system of claim 19 wherein the portion comprises a substantially transparent wire array.

21. The object handling system of claim 19 wherein the stage comprises no metal parts.

22. The object handling system of claim 19 further comprising a light reference having a position detectable by the light imaging system and a secondary reference having a position detectable by a second imaging system.

23. An object handling system for positioning an object in an interior cavity of an imaging chamber included in a light imaging system, the system comprising:

a stage that supports the object during positioning of the stage by the manipulator;

a manipulator configured to move the stage between the interior cavity of the imaging chamber and the ambient area surrounding the imaging chamber; and

a gas delivery system configured to deliver an anesthesia gas to at least one gas delivery outlet that provides the anesthesia gas to the object while the object rests on the stage.

24. The object handling system of claim 23 wherein the interior cavity includes less than about 10¹⁰ photons/second/centimeter squared/steradian when the stage is in the interior cavity of the imaging chamber.

25. The object handling system of claim 24 wherein a portion of the stage that supports the object is substantially transparent.

26. An object handling system for transferring an object between an interior cavity of a light imaging system and a receiving area of a second imaging system, the system comprising:

a stage that supports the object;

a manipulator configured to move the stage between the interior cavity of the imaging chamber and the ambient area surrounding the imaging chamber and the receiving area of the second imaging system that is separated from the imaging chamber; and

a light seal configured to interface with a light seal on an exterior wall of the imaging chamber.

27. The object handling system of claim 26 wherein the second imaging system is a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising a tubular cavity passing through a magnetic resonance imaging magnet, the tubular cavity comprising the receiving area that receives the object while resting on a stage included in the object handling system.

28. The object handling system of claim 27 wherein the manipulator is configured to move the object into the tubular cavity and position the object for MRI imaging.

29. The object handling system of claim 27 wherein the stage includes no metal parts.

30. The object handling system of claim 26 further comprising a track configured to transport the stage to the vicinity of the imaging system and the second imaging system.

31. The object handling system of claim 26 wherein the second imaging system is a computer tomography system and the manipulator is configured to position the stage in the receiving area such that X-rays emitted by the computer tomography system pass through the object while on the stage.

32. The object handling system of claim 26 wherein the second imaging system is one of:

a nuclear medicine system, an ultrasound system, a PET system, and a Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography system.

33. An imaging system for obtaining a representation of a light source located inside a object, the imaging system comprising:

an imaging chamber including

a) an interior cavity

b) a camera mount configured to position a camera to capture light data from the object while the object is in the interior cavity, and

c) a light seal on an exterior wall of the imaging chamber; and

an object handling system for positioning the object in the interior cavity of the imaging chamber, the object handling system comprising;

a) a stage that supports the object, and

b) a manipulator configured to move the stage between the interior cavity of the imaging chamber and the ambient area surrounding the imaging chamber, and

c) a light seal configured to interface with a light seal on an exterior wall of the imaging chamber and provide a substantially light tight seal between the interior cavity of the light imaging system and the space outside the imaging chamber while the stage is within the interior cavity.

34. The imaging system of claim 33 wherein the imaging chamber comprises a moveable interface having:

a wall with a hole that receives the stage therethrough;

a first circular bearing disposed between the exterior wall and the wall of the moveable interface and permits rotation between the exterior wall and the wall of the moveable interface; and

a second circular bearing that permits rotation between the wall of the moveable interface and the object handling system.