High-resolution and Low-Cost Flow Scanning Tomography for 3D Imaging

Web Published:
5/3/2012
Description:

Princeton Docket # 12-2798

 

Tomography is a method for three-dimensional imaging by sectioning, through the use of penetrating waves.   Modern variations of tomography involve gathering projection data from multiple directions and using a computer to numerically reconstruct the final image.  Tomography has been widely applied for medical imaging, industrial imaging, scientific research, and educational purposes.  

Tomography requires the use of multiple views, as the internal structure of objects can only be revealed by observations from different perspectives. Existing methods for acquiring multi-view images either rotate the sample or use illumination and detectors at multiple angles.  The former method limits throughput and is unsuitable for aqueous environment, while the latter increases the complexity and cost of the device.  

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a novel device for creating 3D images by recording different viewpoints of an object as it moves or flows past a detector.   This device utilizes linear flow with simple, fixed illumination sources and detectors to acquire the multi-view images needed for tomography.  Multiple designs and algorithms have been proposed, both for stand-alone devices and for easy integration with existing 2D imaging systems.   

 

Applications

·        Biomedical

o   Medical diagnosis

o   Biological microscopy

o   Imaging cells and blood flow

o   Lab-on-a-chip devices

·        Particle tracking

o   Fluidic mixing

o   3D agglomeration

·        Water analysis

o   Swimming zooplankton

o   Inspecting water quality

 

Advantages         

·        High-resolution 3D image reconstruction

·        Real-time sample monitoring

·        Little or no sample preparation, enabling non-invasive in-vivo observation in a sterile environment

·        Capacity to image low quantities of materials at high flow rates

·        Low manufacturing costs

·        Easy implementation and integration of the devices

·        object motion

 

Faculty Inventor

Jason Fleischer is Associate Professor of Electric Engineering at Princeton University.  His research focuses on nonlinear optics and computational imaging. The emphasis is on propagation problems that are universal to wave systems, taking advantage of the fact that optical systems allow easy control of the input and direct imaging of the output.  Among the numerous awards and honors Professor Fleischer has received are Fellowship in the Optical Society of America (2011), a Department of Energy Plasma Physics Junior Faculty Award (2008), and the Emerson Electric Company Lawrence Keys '51 Faculty Advancement Award (2007).

 

Intellectual Property status

Patent protection is pending.

Patent Information:
For Information, Contact:
William Gowen
Licensing Associate
Princeton University
 
Inventors:
Jason Fleischer
Nicolas Pegard
Keywords:
Imaging
medical device
Opto-Electronics/ELE ENG