Compact light sensors with symmetrical lighting

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9526427-B2
Application number	US-201615151419-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 10, 2016
Priority date	Mar 21, 2014
Publication date	Dec 27, 2016
Grant date	Dec 27, 2016

Abstract

Provided are methods and systems for concurrent imaging at multiple wavelengths. In one aspect, an imaging device includes at least one objective lens configured to receive light backscattered by an object, a plurality of pixel array photo-sensors, a plurality of bandpass filters covering respective photo-sensors, where each bandpass filter is configured to allow a different respective spectral band to pass through the filter, and a beam steering assembly in optical communication with the at least one objective lens and the photo-sensors. The beam steering assembly directs light received by at least one objective lens from the tissue of a subject to at least one pixel array photo-sensor in the plurality of pixel array photo-sensors.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An imaging device, comprising:
A) a housing having an exterior and an interior;
B) at least one objective lens attached to or within the housing,
C) a plurality of light source sets radially disposed on the exterior of the housing about the at least one objective lens, wherein
each light source set in the plurality of light source sets comprises a first light source that emits light that is substantially limited to a first spectral range and a second light source that emits light that is substantially limited to a second spectral range,
each light source in each light source set in the plurality of light source sets is offset from the at least one objective lens and positioned so that light from each respective light source is backscattered by a tissue of a subject and then passed through the at least one objective lens, and
each light in each light source set has a different radial position with respect to the at least one objective lens;

D) a plurality of pixel array photo-sensors within the housing;
E) an optical assembly within the interior of the housing, the optical assembly in optical communication with the at least one objective lens, the optical assembly characterized by further directing light received by at least one objective lens from the tissue of the subject to at least one pixel array photo-sensor in the plurality of pixel array photo-sensors;
F) a plurality of multi-bandpass filters, wherein each respective multi-bandpass filter in the plurality of multi-bandpass filters covers a corresponding pixel array photo-sensor in the plurality of pixel array photo-sensors thereby selectively allowing a different corresponding spectral band of light, from the light received by the at least one object lens and redirected by the optical assembly, to pass through to the corresponding pixel array photo-sensor; and
G) a controller, wherein at least one program is non-transiently stored in the controller and executable by the controller, the at least one program causing the controller to perform the method of:
i) firing a first light in each light source set in the plurality of light source sets for a first period of time while not firing the second light source in each light source set,
ii) collecting a first set of images during the first period of time using at least a first subset of the plurality of pixel array photo-sensors,
iii) firing a second light in each light source set in the plurality of light source sets for a second period of time while not firing the first light source in each light source set, and
iv) collecting a second set of images during the second period of time using at least a second subset of the plurality of pixel array photo-sensors.

2. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the optical assembly element comprises a plurality of beam splitters in optical communication with the at least one objective lens and the plurality of pixel array photo-sensors,
each respective beam splitter in the plurality of beam splitters is configured to split the light received by the at least one objective lens into at least two optical paths,
a first beam splitter in the plurality of beam splitters is in direct optical communication with the at least one objective lens and a second beam splitter in the plurality of beam splitters is in indirect optical communication with the at least one objective lens through the first beam splitter, and
the plurality of beam splitters collectively split light received by the at least one objective lens into a plurality of optical paths, wherein each respective optical path in the plurality of optical paths is configured to direct light to a corresponding pixel array photo-sensor in the plurality of pixel array photo-sensors through the respective multi-bandpass filter covering the corresponding pixel array photo-sensor.

3. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein
the optical assembly comprises a beam steering element characterized by a plurality of operating modes, each respective operating mode in the plurality of operating modes causing the beam steering element to be in optical communication with a different pixel array photo-sensor in the plurality of pixel array photo-sensors,
a first subset of the plurality of operating modes are associated with firing a first light in each light source set in the plurality of light source sets in the first period of time, and
a second subset of the plurality of operating modes are associated with firing a second light in each light source set in the plurality of light source sets in the second period of time.

4. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of multi-bandpass filters are dual bandpass filters.

5. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of light source sets consist of two light source sets, and
a first light source set in the two light source sets is arranged with respect to the at least one objective lens so that the first light source of the first light source set opposes the first light source of the second light source set in the two light source sets, and the second light source of the first light source set opposes the second light source of the second light source set.

6. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of light source sets consist of four light source sets, and
a first light source set in the four light source sets is arranged with respect to the at least one objective lens so that the first light source of the first light source set opposes the first light source of a second light source set in the four light source sets, and the second light source of the first light source set opposes the second light source of the second light source set.

7. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of light source sets consist of 2N light source sets, wherein N is a positive integer, and
a first light source set in the 2N light source sets is arranged with respect to the at least one objective lens so that the first light source of the first light source set opposes the first light source of the second light source set in the 2N light source sets, and the second light source of the first light source set opposes the second light source of the second light source set.

8. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein
the plurality of light source sets collectively comprises a plurality of first light sources and a plurality of second light sources,
the first plurality of first light sources are uniformly radially distributed about the at least one objective lens, and
the plurality of second light sources are uniformly radially distributed about the at least one objective lens.

9. The imaging device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of first light sources are radially offset from the plurality of second light sources.

10. The imaging device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of light source sets consists of three light source sets.

11. The imaging device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of light source sets comprises four or more light source sets.

12. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein
the first light source of each light source set in the plurality of light source sets is a first multi-spectral light source covered by a first bandpass filter, wherein the first bandpass filter substantially blocks all light emitted by the first light source other than the first spectral range, and
the second light source of each light source set in the plurality of light source sets is a second multi-spectral light source covered by a second bandpass filter, wherein the second bandpass filter substantially blocks all light emitted by the second light source other than the second spect

Assignees

• Hypermed Imaging Inc

Inventors

• Darty Mark Anthony
• Tilleman Michael
• Meenen Peter
• Yudovsky Dmitry

Classifications

• G01J3/0208

  using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or mirrors; performing aberration correction · CPC title

• G01J3/2803

  using photoelectric array detector · CPC title

• G01J3/0294 Primary

  Multi-channel spectroscopy · CPC title

• H04N23/56

  provided with illuminating means · CPC title

• H04N23/55

  Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof · CPC title