Side-scan infrared imaging devices
AssigneeOwl Peak Technologies, Inc.
InventorPeter N. Kaufman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Infrared imaging devices are provided which are configured to implement side-scan infrared imaging for, e.g., medical applications. For example, an imaging device includes a ring-shaped detector element comprising a circular array of infrared detectors configured to detect thermal infrared radiation, and a focusing element configured to focus incident infrared radiation towards the circular array of infrared detectors. The imaging device can be an ingestible imaging device (e.g., swallowable camera) or the imaging device can be implemented as part of an endoscope device, for example.
Claims20
An ingestible imaging device, comprising:
- a housing;
- a first imager disposed within the housing, wherein the first imager comprises a focal plane array that is disposed within the housing and facing a first direction, wherein the first imager is configured to detect photonic radiation in at least one of a visible light spectrum and a near-infrared spectrum of an electromagnetic spectrum;
- and
- a second imager disposed within the housing, wherein the second imager comprises a thermal infrared ring array imager comprising a ring-shaped detector element comprising a circular array of infrared detectors configured to detect thermal infrared radiation, wherein the infrared detectors are disposed to face in radial directions that are substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
An ingestible imaging device, comprising:
- a housing;
- a thermal infrared ring-array imager disposed within the housing, wherein the thermal infrared ring-array imager comprises circuitry and a ring-shaped detector element disposed on a surface of a substrate, wherein the ring-shaped detector element comprises a circular array of infrared detectors configured to detect thermal infrared radiation, wherein the infrared detectors are disposed around an outer perimeter surface of the ring-shaped detector element and facing directions that are perpendicular to a normal of the surface of the substrate, and wherein the ring-shaped detector element comprises interconnect structures to electrically connect the infrared detectors to the circuitry on the substrate;
- and
- a lens element disposed around the ring-shaped detector element and configured to direct focused infrared radiation towards the circular array of infrared detectors of the ring-shaped detector element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.