Method and system with spectral filtering and thermal mapping for imaging and collection of data for diagnostic purposes from bacteria

A system for acquiring data regarding a target, comprising:

• a first excitation light source positioned to illuminate a target surface with excitation light during imaging;
• a thermal sensor configured to detect thermal information regarding the target surface;
• and
• a portable housing configured to be held in a user's hand during fluorescent imaging, the housing containing:
• a plurality of filters configured to permit optical signals responsive to illumination of the target surface and having a wavelength corresponding to bacterial autofluorescence, bacterial fluorescence, tissue autofluorescence, and/or tissue fluorescence to pass through the filters,
• an image sensor configured to detect the filtered optical signals, wherein respective ones of the plurality of filters may be moved in front of the image sensor to select the wavelength of the filtered optical signals, and
• a processor configured to receive the detected thermal information and the detected optical signals and to output data regarding a spatial distribution of an infection in the target surface based on the detected thermal information and detected optical signals, wherein the output data comprises at least one image including a fluorescent representation of bacteria and tissue components present in or on the target surface, and wherein the processor is further configured to:
• analyze the at least one fluorescent representation in order to recognize, classify, and/or quantify various components of the target surface, based on the received signals or the output data, and
• determine fluorescence intensities and use the determined intensities to:
• produce image maps of fluorescence intensities in the target surface, displayed in color;
• and/or
• identify a presence and biodistribution of bacteria within the target surface.

A method for acquiring data regarding a wound in tissue, comprising:

• illuminating a wound with excitation light comprising at least one wavelength or wavelength band causing at least one biomarker in the illuminated wound to fluoresce;
• selecting a first band-pass filter of a plurality of band-pass filters of a spectral filtering mechanism;
• filtering, with the first band-pass filter, optical signals emitted in response to illumination of the wound with the excitation light, the spectral filtering mechanism being configured to enable optical signals having a wavelength corresponding to bacterial autofluorescence, bacterial fluorescence, tissue autofluorescence, and/or tissue fluorescence to pass through the spectral filtering mechanism;
• collecting bacterial autofluorescence data, bacterial fluorescence data, tissue autofluorescence data, and/or tissue fluorescence data responsive to illumination of the wound with the excitation light with an optical sensor configured to detect the spectrally filtered signals;
• collecting thermal image data regarding the wound with a thermal sensor;
• and
• receiving the collected bacterial autofluorescence data, bacterial fluorescence data, tissue autofluorescence data, and/or tissue fluorescence data at a processor and identifying a fluorescent signature of bacteria in and/or around the wound based at least in part on the collected bacterial autofluorescence data and/or bacterial fluorescence data and outputting data regarding the bacterial fluorescent signature, wherein the output data comprises at least one image of the wound including a fluorescent representation of bacteria and tissue components present in or on the wound;
• analyzing, with the processor, the fluorescent representation to recognize, classify, and/or quantify various components of the wound, based on the collected data and/or the output data;
• and
• determining, with the processor, fluorescence intensities and using the fluorescence intensities to:
• produce image maps of fluorescence intensities in the wound, displayed in color;
• and/or
• identify a presence and biodistribution of bacteria within the wound.