Digital light processing hyperspectral imaging apparatus

32:

• A method for obtaining spectral image data from a target in vivo comprising the steps of:
• generating a beam of light;
• dispersing said light beam with a dispersing element;
• separating said dispersed light beam into at least one spectrum using a spatial light modulator;
• illuminating said target with said at least one spectrum, wherein said at least one spectrum subsequently reflects off of said target as at least one reflected light beam;
• collecting said at least one reflected light beam;
• and,
• directing said at least one collected reflected light beam to a detector adapted to capture at least one spectral image data.

33:

• The method according to claim 32, further comprising the steps of:
• tuning said spatial light modulator;
• triggering said detector for collecting said at least one reflected light beam;
• forming a hyperspectral image from said at least one spectral image data and,
• displaying said hyperspectral image on a display device.

34:

• The method according to claim 33 wherein said detector comprises a plurality of pixels and said step of forming a hyperspectral image comprises the steps of:
• calculating a spectra ratio for each of said plurality of pixels;
• filtering said spectra ratios with a data smoothing filter to create a filtered data set;
• normalizing said filtered data set to create a normalized data set;
• and,
• deconvoluting said normalized data set and scaling said normalized data set to create a gray scale or color encoded image, wherein said gray scale or color encoded image is said hyperspectral image.