Method and apparatus for three-dimensional imaging in the fourier domain
AssigneeVisiongate, Inc.
InventorsJ. Richard Rahn, Alan C. Nelson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Two or more two-dimensional Fourier transforms are acquired from different perspectives of a three-dimensional object region. A three-dimensional Fourier transform is then constructed using tomographic methods, permitting the application of image analysis algorithms analogous to those used for two-dimensional images.
Claims23
A method for multi-dimensional imaging of an object region, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) passing light through an object region to produce transmitted light rays;
- b) capturing the light rays by at least one optical element, each of said at least one optical element having a back focal plane;
- c) using at least one detector to capture a power spectrum of a two-dimensional Fourier transform, where the at least one detector is located in a back focal plane of the least one optical element;
- and
- d) repeating steps a)-c) for two or more viewpoints about an arc at least partially encircling the object region to obtain multiple two-dimensional Fourier transforms.
A system for multi-dimensional imaging of an object region, the system comprising:
- a light source;
- an object region including at least one feature of interest, the object region being disposed in an optical path to be illuminated by the light source;
- at least one detector located in the optical path to receive light passing through the object region;
- and
- at least one lens located in the optical path between the object region and the at least one detector such that a Fourier plane is created in the back focal plane of the lens, where the at least one detector is located in the Fourier plane for mapping a spatial frequency distribution of the at least one feature of interest.
A parallel-beam optical tomography system for imaging an object of interest having at least one feature of interest, the parallel-beam optical tomography system comprising:
- a light source projecting a column of light along an optical path;
- an object containing tube located along the optical path, wherein the object of interest is held within the object containing tube;
- at least one detector array, where each of the at least one detector array is located to receive emerging radiation from the object of interest;
- and
- at least one lens located in the optical path between the object of interest and the at least one detector array such that a Fourier plane is created in a back focal plane of the lens, where the at least one detector is located in the Fourier plane for mapping a spatial frequency distribution of the at least one feature of interest.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.