US 10,948,703 B2 · Imaging system and method with scattering to reduce source auto-fluorescence and improve uniformity

Abstract

Imaging systems and methods with scattering to reduce source auto-fluorescence and improve uniformity. In some embodiments, the system may include a plurality of trans-illumination light sources configured to irradiate an examination region with different colors of trans-illumination light, while a same diffuser is present in each optical path from the trans-illumination light sources to the examination region. The system also may comprise an excitation light source configured to irradiate the examination region with excitation light. The system may be configured to irradiate the examination region with each of the trans-illumination light sources and, optionally, with the excitation light source, without moving parts in any of the optical paths from the trans-illumination light sources. The system further may comprise an image detector configured to detect grayscale images of the examination region, and a processor configured to create a color trans-illumination image from grayscale images.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An imaging system, comprising:

a plurality of trans-illumination light sources comprising optical components configured to irradiate an examination region with different colors of trans-illumination light;
a same diffuser present in each optical path from the trans-illumination light sources to the examination region;
an excitation light source configured to irradiate the examination region with excitation light to induce photoluminescence;
an image detector configured to detect grayscale images of the examination region and detect the photoluminescence from the examination region, wherein the diffuser reduces background autofluorescence from the optical components detected by the image detector;
and
a processor configured to create a color trans-illumination image from grayscale images;
wherein the imaging system is configured to irradiate the examination region with trans-illumination light from each of the trans-illumination light sources and with excitation light from the excitation light source without moving one or more parts in any of the optical paths from the trans-illumination light sources to the examination region.

4 more elements

A method of imaging, the method comprising:

irradiating a sample with trans-illumination light of different colors produced by a plurality of trans-illumination light sources comprising optical components, wherein a same diffuser is present in each optical path from the trans-illumination light sources to the examination region;
irradiating the sample with excitation light from an excitation light source to induce photoluminescence, wherein the diffuser reduces background autofluorescence from the optical components detected by the image detector;
detecting by an image detector a photoluminescence image of the sample;
detecting by the image detector grayscale images of representing irradiation with different subsets of the trans-illumination light sources;
and
creating a color image using image data from a plurality of the grayscale images;
wherein both steps of irradiating are performed while each optical path from the trans-illumination light sources to the examination region remains the same without movement of one or more parts in any of the optical paths from the trans-illumination light sources to the examination region.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Imaging system and method with scattering to reduce source auto-fluorescence and improve uniformity

Life of this patent

Imaging system and method with scattering to reduce source auto-fluorescence and improve uniformity

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19