# US 10,441,176 B2 · Imaging using near-infrared laser diodes with distributed bragg reflectors

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- Number: US 10,441,176 B2
- Document ID: US10441176B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/241,628
- Filed: 2019-01-07
- Published: 2019-05-23
- Granted: 2019-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-31
- Assignees: Omni Medsci, Inc.
- Applicants: Omni Medsci, Inc.
- Inventors: Mohammed N. Islam
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441176B2

## CPC

- A61B 5/0088: {for oral or dental tissue}
- A61B 5/0013: {Medical image data (A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence)}
- A61B 5/0022: {Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet}
- A61B 5/0075: {by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy (A61B5/0071 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/0086: {using infrared radiation}
- A61B 5/14532: {for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement}
- A61B 5/14546: {for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes}
- A61B 5/1455: using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
- A61B 5/4547: {Evaluating teeth}
- A61B 5/6801: {specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface}
- A61B 5/7257: {using Fourier transforms}
- A61B 5/7405: {using sound}
- A61B 5/742: {using visual displays (displays for heart-related electrical signals, e.g. ECG, A61B5/339)}
- G01J 3/0218: {using optical fibers}
- G01J 3/108: {for measurement in the infrared range}
- G01J 3/14: using refracting elements, e.g. prisms (G01J3/18, G01J3/26 take precedence {prisms per se G02B5/04})
- G01J 3/28: Investigating the spectrum (using colour filters G01J3/51)
- G01J 3/2823: {Imaging spectrometer}
- G01J 3/42: Absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry (beam switching arrangements G01J3/08)
- G01J 3/453: by correlation of the amplitudes
- G01N 21/35: using infrared light (G01N21/39 takes precedence)
- G01N 21/3563: for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
- G01N 21/359: using near infrared light
- G01N 21/39: using tunable lasers
- G01N 21/88: Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
- G01N 33/02: Food
- G01N 33/025: {Fruits or vegetables}
- G01N 33/15: Medicinal preparations {; Physical properties thereof, e.g. dissolubility}
- G01N 33/442: {Resins; Plastics}
- G01N 33/49: Blood {(chemical methods for determining blood cell populations G01N33/5094; chemical analysis of blood groups or blood types G01N33/80)}
- G16H 40/67: for remote operation
- G16Z 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
- A61B 2562/0233: Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
- A61B 2562/0238: Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
- A61B 2562/146: for optical coupling
- A61B 2576/02: specially adapted for a particular organ or body part
- G01J 3/1838: {Holographic gratings}
- G01J 2003/104: {Monochromatic plural sources}
- G01J 2003/1208: {Prism and grating}
- G01J 2003/2826: {Multispectral imaging, e.g. filter imaging}
- G01M 3/38: by using light (G01M3/02 takes precedence)
- G01N 21/85: Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
- G01N 21/9508: {Capsules; Tablets}
- G01N 2021/3595: {using FTIR}
- G01N 2021/399: {Diode laser}
- G01N 2201/0221: Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held
- G01N 2201/061: Sources
- G01N 2201/06113: Coherent sources; lasers
- G01N 2201/062: LED's
- G01N 2201/08: Optical fibres; light guides
- G01N 2201/12: Circuits of general importance; Signal processing
- G01N 2201/129: Using chemometrical methods
- 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)}
- H01S 3/06758: {Tandem amplifiers}
- H01S 3/302: {in an optical fibre}
- Y02A 90/10: Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G16Z: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H01S: DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
- Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

## Abstract

A smart phone or tablet includes a first part having at least one laser diode configured to be pulsed, and a second part having at least one other laser diode, the laser diodes configured to generate near-infrared light, wherein at least some of the laser diodes comprise a distributed Bragg reflector, with some laser diode light directed to tissue including skin. An array of laser diodes generates near-infrared light and includes one or more distributed Bragg reflectors. An assembly in front of the array to forms light spots on the tissue. A first receiver includes detectors that receive light reflected from the tissue. An infrared camera generates data from light reflected from the tissue. The smart phone or tablet generates a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image or mapping using the infrared camera data, and includes a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter, a display, a voice input module, and a speaker.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A smart phone or tablet, comprising:
a first part 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 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, and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of laser diodes comprises one or more Bragg reflectors;
at least a portion of light from the plurality of laser diodes directed to tissue comprising skin;
an array 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, and wherein at least a portion of the array of laser diodes comprises one or more Bragg reflectors,
the array of laser diodes configured to form the light into a plurality of spots and to direct at least some of the spots to the 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 at least 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 at least one of the plurality of laser diodes reflected from the tissue, wherein the infrared camera generates data based at least in part on the received light;
wherein the smart phone or tablet is configured to receive and process at least a portion of the time-of-flight measurement, and to generate a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image using at least part of the data from the infrared camera, and wherein the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image is used in part to identify one or more features corresponding to the skin; and
the smart phone or tablet further comprising a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter, a display, a voice input module, and a speaker.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 1, wherein the infrared camera is further configured to:
generate a first signal in response to light received while the plurality of laser diodes and the array of laser diodes are off; and
generate a second signal in response to light received while at least one of the plurality of laser diodes or at least one laser diode of the array of laser diodes is on, the received light including at least some light from the at least one of the plurality of laser diodes reflected from the tissue or at least some light from the array of laser diodes reflected from the tissue;
wherein the smart phone or tablet is further configured to use a difference between the first signal and the second signal to, at least in part, generate the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The smart phone or tablet 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.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 1, wherein the second at least one of the plurality of laser diodes is also configured to be pulsed, and wherein the infrared camera is configured to be synchronized to the second at least one of the plurality of laser diodes.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 1, wherein the infrared camera further comprises a plurality of lenses at an input to the infrared camera.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 5, wherein the light from the array of laser diodes is incident on a beam splitter to separate the light into a plurality of spatially separated light elements.

### Claim 7

A smart phone or tablet, comprising:
a first part 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 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, and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of laser diodes comprises one or more Bragg reflectors;
at least a portion of light from the plurality of laser diodes directed to tissue comprising skin;
an array 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, and wherein at least a portion of the array of laser diodes comprises one or more Bragg reflectors
the light generated by the array of laser diodes being formed into a plurality of spots on the 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 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 at least one of the plurality of laser diodes reflected from the tissue, wherein the infrared camera generates data based at least in part on the received light;
wherein the smart phone or tablet is configured to generate a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image using at least part of the data from the infrared camera; and
the smart phone or tablet further comprising a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter, a display, a voice input module, and a speaker.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 7, 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, and wherein the smart phone or tablet is configured to receive and process at least a portion of the time-of-flight measurement.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 8, wherein the second at least one of the plurality of laser diodes is also configured to be pulsed, and wherein the infrared camera is configured to be synchronized to the second at least one of the plurality of laser diodes.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The smart phone or tablet 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.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 10, wherein the infrared camera is further configured to:
generate a first signal in response to light received while the plurality of laser diodes and the array of laser diodes are off; and
generate a second signal in response to light received while at least one of the plurality of laser diodes or at least one laser diode of the array of laser diodes is on, the received light including at least some light from the at least one of the plurality of laser diodes reflected from the tissue or at least some light from the array of laser diodes reflected from the tissue;
wherein the smart phone or tablet is further configured to use a difference between the first signal and the second signal to, at least in part, generate the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 11, wherein the infrared camera further comprises a plurality of lenses at an input to the infrared camera.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 12, wherein the light from the array of laser diodes is incident on a beam splitter to separate the light into a plurality of spatially separated light elements.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 13, wherein the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image is used in part to identify one or more features corresponding to the skin.

### Claim 15

A smart phone or tablet, 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 at least one of the plurality of laser diodes, the second at least one of the plurality of laser diodes also configured to be pulsed;
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, and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of laser diodes comprises one or more distributed Bragg reflectors;
at least a portion of light from the plurality of laser diodes directed to tissue comprising skin;
an array 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, and wherein at least a portion of the array of laser diodes comprises one or more distributed Bragg reflectors;
at least a portion of the light generated by the array of laser diodes formed into a plurality of spots directed to the 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 at least 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, and 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;
an infrared camera configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the second at least one of the plurality of laser diodes reflected from the tissue, wherein the infrared camera generates data based at least in part on the received light;
wherein the smart phone or tablet is configured to receive and process at least a portion of the time-of-flight measurement, and to generate a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image using at least part of the data from the infrared camera.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 15, wherein the infrared camera is configured to be synchronized to the second at least one of the plurality of laser diodes.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 16, wherein the infrared camera further comprises a plurality of lenses at an input to the camera, and wherein the light from the array of laser diodes is incident on a beam splitter to separate the light into a plurality of spatially separated lights.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 17, wherein the infrared camera is further configured to:
generate a first signal in response to light received while the plurality of laser diodes and the array of laser diodes are off; and
generate a second signal in response to light received while at least one of the plurality of laser diodes or at least one laser diode of the array of laser diodes is on, the received light including at least some light from the at least one of the plurality of laser diodes reflected from the tissue or at least some light from the array of laser diodes reflected from the tissue;
wherein the smart phone or tablet is further configured to use a difference between the first signal and the second signal to, at least in part, generate the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 18, wherein the two-dimensional or three-dimensional image is used in part to identify one or more features corresponding to the skin.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The smart phone or tablet of claim 19, wherein the one or more features corresponding to the skin include veins, arteries or capillaries.