Apparatus and method for imaging blood in a target region of tissue

Abstract

In some embodiments, an apparatus for imaging blood within a target region of tissue includes an imaging device configured to output image data associated with light received by the imaging device having a first and second spectral ranges, wherein the absorptivity by blood of light having the first spectral range is less than the absorptivity by blood of light having the second spectral range, and a controlling element configured to capture the image data associated with light received by the imaging device and to process the captured image data associated with light having the first spectral range and the captured image data associated with light having the second spectral range to generate compound image data associated with an amount of blood within the target region of tissue.

1 - 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . An apparatus for imaging blood within a target region of tissue, comprising:
 a visible light source configured to illuminate at least a portion of the target region of tissue with light where blood flow has been restricted, the light having at least a first spectral range and a second spectral range;   an imaging sensor configured to contemporaneously capture an image data of at least a portion of the target region of tissue illuminated by the light while blood flow is restored to the target region of tissue; and   a controller configured to receive the image data from the imaging sensor and process the image data to generate compound image data associated with an amount of blood within the target region of tissue.   
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein the absorptivity by blood of light having the first spectral range is less than the absorptivity by blood of light having the second spectral range. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein the controller is configured to contemporaneously capture the image data associated with light received by the imaging sensor having the first spectral range and image data associated with light received by the imaging sensor having the second spectral range. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein the visible light source is configured to illuminate the portion of the target region of tissue with a linearly polarised light. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 59 , further comprising a linearly polarising filter arranged in front of the imaging sensor such that, in use, the linearly polarising filter is disposed between the imaging sensor and the target region of tissue, wherein the linearly polarising filter is arranged to block the linearly polarised light reflected by the target region of tissue. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein the first spectral range corresponds to a spectral range associated with red light and second spectral range corresponds to a spectral range associated with green light. 
     
     
         62 . A method of imaging blood within a target region of tissue comprising:
 restricting blood flow to the target region of tissue;   after removing the restriction, illuminating the target region of tissue using visible light having at least a first spectral range and a second spectral range, such that the light is at least one of scattered or reflected by the target region of tissue;   arranging an imaging sensor to receive light at least one of scattered or reflected by the target region of tissue; and   using the imaging sensor to contemporaneously capture at least one image of at least a portion of the target region of tissue.   
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the visible light is linearly polarized. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  further comprising disposing a linearly polarising filter positioned between the target region of tissue and the imaging sensor such that scattered light which has been depolarised by the target region of tissue is transmitted by the linearly polarising filter and reflected light which remains polarised is blocked by the linearly polarising filter. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the absorptivity by blood of the light having the first spectral range is less than the absorptivity by blood of the light having the second spectral range. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 62  wherein the first spectral range corresponds to a spectral range associated with red light and the second spectral range corresponds to a spectral range associated with green light. 
     
     
         67 . A method of imaging blood within a target region of tissue comprising:
 receiving an image data associated with linearly polarized light that has been at least one of reflected or scattered by the target region of tissue that was illuminated during re-perfusion by a visible light source having two spectral ranges; and   processing the image data to generate a compound image associated with an amount of blood in the target region of tissue.   
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the two spectral ranges comprise a first spectral range and a second spectral range, and the absorptivity by blood of the light having the first spectral range is less than the absorptivity by blood of the light having the second spectral range. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68  wherein the first spectral range corresponds to a spectral range associated with red light and the second spectral range corresponds to a spectral range associated with green light. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the image data comprises a first image data associated with the first spectral range and a second image data associated with the second spectral range, wherein the first image data and the second image data are captured contemporaneously. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 67 , further comprising receiving image data associated with light that has been reflected or scattered by the target region of tissue that was illuminated before re-perfusion. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , further comprising receiving image data associated with light that has been reflected or scattered by the target region of tissue that was illuminated after re-perfusion. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 67 , further comprising receiving image data associated with light that has been reflected or scattered by the target region of tissue that was illuminated after re-perfusion.