Modular system for multi-modal imaging and analysis

A portable, modular handheld imaging system, comprising:

• a first housing portion comprising:
• at least one excitation light source configured to emit excitation light during fluorescent imaging,
• a first image sensor configured to detect fluorescent wavelengths when the imaging system is in a fluorescent imaging mode,
• a first filter configured to permit passage of optical signals, responsive to illumination of a target surface with the excitation light and having a wavelength corresponding to one or more of bacterial fluorescence, bacterial autofluorescence, tissue fluorescence, and tissue autofluorescence the first filter being fixed to the first image sensor,
• a white light source configured to emit white light during white light imaging,
• a second image sensor configured to detect image data responsive to illumination of the target surface with the white light when the imaging system is in a white light imaging mode,
• a second filter configured to permit passage of optical signals, responsive to illumination of the target surface with the white light and having a wavelength in the visible light range, the second filter being fixed to the second image sensor,
• a third image sensor configured to detect image data responsive to illumination of the target surface with white light when the imaging system is in a white light imaging mode, and
• a third filter configured to permit passage of optical signals, responsive to illumination of the target surface with the white light and having a wavelength in the visible light range, the third filter being fixed to the third image sensor, and
• a second housing portion configured to releasably receive the first housing portion and comprising:
• a display, and
• a processor configured to receive the detected fluorescent and white light optical signals and to output a representation of the target surface to the display based on the detected optical signals.

A portable, modular handheld imaging system kit, comprising:

• a plurality of optical housing portions, each of the plurality of optical housing portions comprising:
• at least one excitation light source configured to emit excitation light during fluorescent imaging,
• a first image sensor configured to detect fluorescent wavelengths when the imaging system is in a fluorescent imaging mode,
• a first filter configured to permit passage of optical signals, responsive to illumination of a target surface with the excitation light and having a wavelength corresponding to one or more of bacterial fluorescence, bacterial autofluorescence, tissue fluorescence, and tissue autofluorescence the first filter being fixed to the first image sensor,
• a white light source configured to emit white light during white light imaging,
• a second image sensor configured to detect image data responsive to illumination of the target surface with the white light when the imaging system is in a white light imaging mode;
• a second filter configured to permit passage of optical signals, responsive to illumination of the target surface with the white light and having a wavelength in the visible light range, the second filter being fixed to the second image sensor,
• a third image sensor configured to detect image data responsive to illumination of the target surface with white light when the imaging system is in a white light imaging mode, and
• a third filter configured to permit passage of optical signals, responsive to illumination of the target surface with the white light and having a wavelength in the visible light range the third filter being fixed to the third image sensor;
• and
• a base housing portion configured to releasably receive, interchangeably, each of the plurality of optical housing portions and comprising:
• a display,
• a power source configured to power the at least one excitation light source and the white light source, and
• a processor configured to receive the detected fluorescent and white light optical signals and to output a representation of the target surface to the display based on the detected optical signals.

A method of operating a modular, handheld fluorescence-based imaging device, comprising:

• selecting an optical housing comprising optical components including at least one excitation light source for fluorescence imaging;
• connecting the selected optical housing to a base body housing of the imaging device to provide power from a power source in the base body housing to the optical components in the optical housing;
• illuminating a target with the at least one excitation light source to cause one or more of a part, a component, and a biomarker of the illuminated portion of the target to fluoresce, to reflect light, or to absorb light;
• filtering a plurality of optical signals responsive to the illumination of the target with the excitation light, wherein filtering the plurality of optical signals includes preventing passage of reflected excitation light and permitting passage of optical signals having a wavelength corresponding to one or more of bacterial fluorescence, bacterial autofluorescence, tissue autofluorescence and exogenous tissue fluorescence through a set of at least three filters including a first fluorescent filter, a second white light filter, and a third white light filter, contained in the optical housing;
• detecting the filtered optical signals with a set of at least three sensors including a first fluorescent sensor, a second white light sensor, and a third white light sensor, contained in the optical housing, wherein the first fluorescent filter is fixed to the first fluorescent sensor, the second white light filter is fixed to the second white light sensor, and the third white light filter is fixed to the third white light sensor;
• and
• displaying the detected, filtered signals on at least one display of the base body housing as a composite image of the illuminated portion of the target, the composite image comprising fluorescent representations of various tissue components present in the illuminated portion of the target.