Disclosed embodiments are related to calibration tips for imaging devices.
There are over one million cancer surgeries per year performed in the United States and nearly 40% of them miss resecting the entire tumor according to the National Cancer Institute Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results report. For example, in breast cancer lumpectomies, failure to remove all of the cancer cells during the primary surgery (positive margins) occurs approximately 50% of the time and requires second surgeries. Residual cancer in the surgical bed is a leading risk factor for local tumor recurrence, reduced survival rates and increased likelihood of metastases. In addition, final histopathology of the resected tumor misses 25% of the residual cancer left in the surgical bed, which must be addressed with adjuvant medical therapy (e.g., radiotherapy or chemotherapy). This poor performance of pathology is primarily due to a sampling error since only a small fraction of the entire resection is analyzed. To address these short comings, in vivo imaging methods and systems have been developed.
In some embodiments, a calibration tip for an imaging device comprises a first housing portion configured to be positioned on a distal end portion of an imaging device. The first housing portion has a first opening formed therein, and a first calibration surface disposed in the first opening. The first calibration surface is configured to be oriented towards the distal end portion of the imaging device when the housing is positioned on the distal end portion of the imaging device.
In other embodiments, an imaging device comprises an imaging device housing, an imaging tip extending distally from the housing, a photosensitive detector disposed in the housing and optically coupled to a distal end portion of the imaging tip, and a calibration tip configured to be selectively positioned on the distal end portion of the imaging tip in a first orientation. The photosensitive detector is focused on a focal plane located at the distal end portion of the imaging tip. The calibration tip includes a first calibration surface. The first calibration surface is positioned within a predetermined distance of the focal plane and is oriented when the calibration tip is positioned on the distal end portion of the imaging tip in the first orientation.
In other embodiments, a method of calibrating an imaging device comprises positioning a calibration tip on a distal end portion of the imaging device to position a first calibration surface within a predetermined distance from a focal plane of the imaging device. The first calibration surface is illuminated and imaged, and the imaging device is calibrated based on at least one image of the first calibration surface.
It should be appreciated that the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed below, may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. Further, other advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
In cases where the present specification and a document incorporated by reference include conflicting and/or inconsistent disclosure, the present specification shall control. If two or more documents incorporated by reference include conflicting and/or inconsistent disclosure with respect to each other, then the document having the later effective date shall control.
The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:
Imaging devices may be used for many purposes. Some applications of imaging devices include contact imaging methods where the imaging device is placed in physical contact with a subject to be imaged. Contact imaging methods and devices may be used in medical settings, for example to image a tissue to detect the presence of a condition such as cancer within a section of the tissue. Such a contact imaging device may be used, for example, in conjunction with methods of fluorescent spectroscopy during a tumor resection surgery to aid in determining whether cancerous tissue remains in a section of tissue being imaged.
Contact imaging may be accomplished by placing a distal end of an imaging device into contact with a surface to be imaged. The distal end of a contact imaging device may include a contact window configured to make physical contact with the surface to be imaged while permitting light to pass through the distal end. The contact window may be formed as part of an imaging tip installed or formed at the distal end. In some applications, the imaging tip may be removable to allow a user to replace the tip between uses. For example, in a medical setting, it may be desirable for an imaging device to have a removable imaging tip for sanitary purposes.
In some embodiments, a contact imaging device may focus on a focal plane that is defined at a particular distance with relation to a photosensitive detector in at least one operating mode, the distance being referred to as a focal distance. The focal plane may be disposed distally from or at a distal end of an imaging tip of the imaging device. The contact window may be configured to position a surface to be imaged within a predetermined distance of the focal plane when the contact window is placed in contact with the surface to be imaged. In a device with a removable imaging tip, the contact window may be part of the removable imaging tip. The tolerancing associated with the positioning of this window may be appropriately selected for a desired application.
It may be desirable to calibrate a contact imaging device to ensure that the device is accurately reading signal intensities prior to performing medical imaging including, for example, fluorescence-based imaging of tissue where the measured intensities may be important for detecting a condition of the imaged tissue. However, when an imaging device includes a removable imaging tip, which may be applied after calibration due to sterility concerns, it may complicate the calibration process. Specifically, precise placement of the calibration standard with respect to the focal plane may be difficult. When multiple calibration standards are used, it may be particularly difficult to ensure that both standards are placed at the correct focal distance and maintain the sterility of the imaging device.
In view of the above, the inventors have recognized the benefits associated with a calibration tip for imaging devices as described herein. In some embodiments, the calibration tip may be attachable to the imaging device. At a broad level, a calibration tip may be selectively attachable to a distal portion of an imaging device such that a calibration standard contained within the calibration tip with a desired combination of known optical and/or fluorescent properties is positioned within a predetermined distance of the focal plane of the imaging device even though in some embodiments an imaging tip of the imaging device may not be connected to the imaging device.
In one embodiment, a tip may include a housing configured to be selectively positioned onto a distal end portion of an imaging device. In some embodiments, the housing may be selectively connected to the distal end portion of the imaging device as well. At least one calibration surface may be disposed in one or more portions of the imaging device configured to be positioned on the distal end of the imaging device. The at least one calibration surface may be oriented towards the distal end portion of the imaging tip when the housing is positioned on the distal end portion of the imaging tip, such that the calibration surface is disposed in the field of view of a photosensitive detector of the imaging device. Additionally, the calibration surface may be positioned within a predetermined distance of a focal plane of the photosensitive detector of the imaging device.
In some embodiments, the calibration tip may include multiple calibration standards configured to be easily and repeatably placed within a predetermined distance of a focal plane of the imaging device. For example, a calibration tip may include a first calibration surface disposed within a first portion of the calibration tip that is configured to be operatively coupled with a distal portion of the imaging device and a second calibration surface disposed within the second portion of the calibration tip that is also configured to be operatively coupled with the distal portion of the imaging device. The first calibration surface may be a bright calibration standard, and the second calibration surface may be a dark calibration standard.
In instances in which a calibration tip includes multiple calibration surfaces, it may be desirable to have the calibration surfaces oriented in first and second directions. For example, the calibration tip may be configured to be connected to a distal portion of an imaging device in two separate orientations to orient either the first calibration surface or the second calibration surface towards the photosensitive detector along an optical path of the imaging device. The calibration tip may include a housing having a first connector and a second connector, each of the first and second connectors being configured to be positioned on and selectively connected to the distal end portion of the imaging device. A first opening and a second opening associated with the first and second calibration surfaces respectively may be formed in the housing. The first calibration surface may be disposed in the first opening, and the second calibration surface may be disposed in the second opening.
As noted above, a calibration tip may include one or more connectors associated with the one or more calibration surfaces for selectively connecting the calibration tip with the one or more calibration surfaces positioned in and oriented towards a field of view of a photosensitive detector of the imaging device. The one or more surfaces may also be positioned within a predetermined distance of a focal plane of the photosensitive detector when attached to the imaging device. For example, when a first connector is connected to a distal end portion of an imaging device, a first calibration surface may be oriented towards and positioned within a field of view of the photosensitive detector at the desired focal distance. Similarly, when a second connector is selectively connected to the distal end portion of the imaging device, the second calibration surface may be oriented towards and positioned within a field of view of the photosensitive detector at the desired focal distance.
As noted above, in some embodiments it may be desirable to position a calibration surface within a predetermined distance from a focal plane of the imaging device. This predetermined focal plane may correspond to the location of a surface (e.g., a transparent window or opening) that is intended to contact tissue during operation of the imaging device in some embodiments. Further, this predetermined distance from the focal plane may be less than or equal to a depth of field of the imaging device. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a depth of field of the imaging device may be greater than or equal to 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.25 mm, and/or any other appropriate distance. Additionally, the depth of field may be less than or equal to 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm, and/or any other appropriate distance. Combinations of the foregoing are contemplated including, for example, greater than or equal to 0.05 mm and less than or equal to 1.0 mm, greater than or equal to 0.05 mm and less than or equal to 0.5 mm, and/or any other appropriate combination of the foregoing. Of course, while particular ranges for the depth of field, or a corresponding tolerancing for positioning of a calibration surface relative to a predetermined focal plane of an imaging device, are provided above, it should be understood that other ranges both greater than and less than those noted above are also contemplated as the disclosure is not limited in this fashion.
It will be appreciated that in providing a calibration tip that may be easily attached and removed to reliably place a calibration surface within a predetermined distance of a focal plane of an imaging device, the present disclosure may reduce difficulties in performing calibration procedures for imaging devices. For example, calibration procedures may be simplified by integrating one or more calibration standards into a device that may be easily used with an imaging device according to the present disclosure. Further, the present disclosure may reduce difficulties in preserving the sterility of an imaging device used in a medical application including, for example, a medical imaging device such as a fluorescent medical imaging device. For example, the calibration tip may be provided in a sterile condition and the portions of the calibration tip that interface with the imaging device may not be directly handled by a user. Of course, while specific benefits are noted above, additional and/or different benefits, including those associated with non-medical applications, are also possible.
A housing may be formed of a plastic material or a metallic material. In embodiments which use a plastic material, the housing may be molded. The housing may be formed as a single piece, for example as a single-piece molding, or may be formed as multiple components. In embodiments which use multiple components, the components may be joined together by appropriate methods including ultrasonic welding, heat welding, or mechanical fastening methods including detents, clips, snaps, adhesives, threads, or any other appropriate method as the disclosure is not limited in this way. A connector of the housing may attach to the distal end portion of an imaging device by any appropriate removable connection, including detents, clips, snaps, magnets, pressure sensitive adhesives, threads, threaded fasteners, or any other appropriate type of fastener as the disclosure is not limited in this way.
A calibration standard may include a calibration surface that is made from any appropriate material that exhibits a desired combination of optical and/or fluorescent properties, including absorptivity and emissivity, within a desired range of wavelengths. A dark calibration standard may have a higher absorptivity than a bright calibration standard within a desired range of wavelengths an imaging device may be configured to detect.
It may be desirable for the bright calibration standard to absorb light within the same or a similar range of wavelengths as would be absorbed by a material that a user intends to image with the imaging device. For example, a bright calibration standard may absorb light in a range of wavelengths emitted by an excitation light source of an imaging device. Regardless, in some embodiments, the bright calibration standard of the imaging device may absorb light having wavelengths greater than or equal to 620 nm, 630 nm, or 640 nm, or any other appropriate wavelength. Additionally, the bright calibration standard may absorb light having wavelengths less than or equal to 640 nm, 645 nm, or 650 nm, or any other appropriate wavelength. Combinations of the foregoing are contemplated including, for example, greater than or equal to 620 nm and less than or equal to 650 nm, greater than or equal to 630 nm and less than or equal to 640 nm, and/or any other appropriate combination of the foregoing. Of course, while particular ranges for the wavelengths absorbed by the bright calibration standard are provided above, it should be understood that other ranges both greater than and less than those noted above are also contemplated as the disclosure is not limited in this fashion.
In some embodiments, a bright calibration standard of an imaging device may absorb little to no light within a range of wavelengths emitted by an excitation light source of the imaging device. Instead, such a bright calibration standard may reflect a majority, and in some instances substantially all, of the incident light in the desired range of wavelengths. In such embodiments, the imaging device may characterize a uniformity of illumination across the bright calibration standard by relying on light leakage that may occur at various points along an optical path of the imaging device.
Additionally, in some embodiments, a bright calibration standard of the imaging device may emit light, e.g., fluoresce light in response to the absorbed excitation light, having wavelengths greater than or equal to 670 nm, 680 nm, or 690 nm, and/or any other appropriate wavelength. Additionally, the bright calibration standard may emit light having wavelengths less than or equal to 690 nm, 700 nm, or 710 nm, and/or any other appropriate wavelength. Combinations of the foregoing are contemplated including, for example, greater than or equal to 670 nm and less than or equal to 710 nm, greater than or equal to 680 nm and less than or equal to 690 nm, and/or any other appropriate combination of the foregoing. Of course, while particular ranges for the wavelengths emitted by the bright calibration standard are provided above, it should be understood that other ranges both greater than and less than those noted above are also contemplated as the disclosure is not limited in this fashion.
While particular ranges for absorption and emission of light in various ranges of wavelengths are noted above, it should be understood that depending on the particular imaging application and/or fluorescent probe being used, different wavelengths of light may be of interest either for excitation and/or fluorescence. Additionally, instances in which the imaging device images the tissue of interest using a different form of imaging, including reflection based imaging, time-resolved fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, and phosphorescence, are also contemplated as the disclosure is not limited in this fashion.
In view of the above, it should be understood that any appropriate type of material may be used to form the calibration surface of a bright calibration standard exhibiting a desired combination of optical properties. In some embodiments, this may include calibration surfaces comprising acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), though other polymeric materials as well as appropriate metals and/or ceramics may also be used. The bright calibration standard may also have an appropriate surface finish to provide uniform optical or fluorescent properties across a surface of the bright calibration standard.
Illumination of a dark calibration standard by an imaging device may reduce an optical or fluorescent signal received by a photosensitive detector of the imaging device. Use of a dark calibration standard may result in the photosensitive detector receiving little or no optical or fluorescent signal. This may be accomplished through a variety of optical mechanisms. In some embodiments, a dark calibration standard for an imaging device may have a suitably high absorptivity with respect to light emitted towards a surface by the imaging device. In other embodiments, the dark calibration standard may absorb the incident wavelength with substantially no re-emission. In other embodiments, the dark calibration standard may have a suitable high absorptivity with respect to an incident light and may emit a fluorescence but may reabsorb the fluorescence. In further embodiments, the dark calibration standard may have little to no emissivity with respect to the target fluorescence wavelength. In still further embodiments, the dark calibration may have a reflectivity with respect to the incident wavelength that results in little or no reflection of the light emitted towards a surface of the imaging device.
For example, the calibration surface of a dark calibration standard may exhibit a relatively large absorptivity over a broad range of wavelengths including at least the wavelengths over which an excitation light source of the imaging device emits. In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the dark calibration standard to maximize absorptivity in the desired range of wavelengths while also minimizing emissivity in the desired range of wavelengths. Suitable materials for the dark calibration standard which provide such desirable properties may include carbon nanotubes, carbon black, graphene, or any other appropriate light absorbing material. In some embodiments, the light absorbing material of a calibration surface may be coated or otherwise deposited onto a substrate material. The substrate material may be a component of the housing of the calibration tip, or it may be a subcomponent thereof. For example, the substrate material may be formed in a thin layer, such as a foil.
In some embodiments, the dark calibration standard may include a beam stop. Such embodiments may include a calibration surface that corresponds to an opening into an absorbing volume. The absorbing volume may absorb incident light that passes through an entry plane (i.e., the calibration surface) of the absorbing volume, without reflecting or emitting the incident light back through the entry plane. The absorbing volume may be geometrically configured such that any incident light that may be reflected within the absorbing volume may be directed into a circuitous path which may remain within the absorbing volume in some embodiments. The incident light may be absorbed within the absorbing volume while traveling along the circuitous path. For example, a horn-shaped volume which is lined with an absorbing material (e.g., a black felt or a similar material) may absorb all incident light which passes into the horn-shaped volume without reflecting or emitting the incident light back out of the horn-shaped volume.
In some embodiments, a method of calibrating an imaging device may include positioning a calibration tip on a distal end portion of an imaging tip of the imaging device, positioning a calibration surface of the calibration tip within a predetermined distance from a focal plane on which the imaging device is focused, illuminating the calibration surface with an excitation light source of the imaging device, and calibrating the imaging device based at least in part on an image taken of the calibration surface. In embodiments that include more than one calibration surface, this method may be repeated at least once for each calibration surface.
Depending on the embodiment, optics associated with a photosensitive detector of an imaging device may either fix a focus of the photosensitive detector at the focal plane located at the distal end of the rigid imaging tip, or they may permit a focus of the photosensitive detector to be shifted between the focal plane located at a distal end portion of the imaging device and another focal plane located beyond the distal end of the imaging device. Additionally, while any appropriate photosensitive detector might be used, exemplary photosensitive detectors include a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) detector, and an avalanche photo diode (APD). The photosensitive detector may include a plurality of pixels such that an optical axis passes from the focal plane of the rigid imaging tip to the photosensitive detector.
Depending on the embodiment, a medical imaging device can also include one or more light directing elements for selectively directing light from a light source comprising an excitation wavelength of an imaging agent, or other desired type of illumination for other imaging methods, towards a distal end of the device while permitting emitted light comprising an emission wavelength of the imaging agent to be transmitted to the photosensitive detector. In one aspect, a light emitting element comprises a dichroic mirror positioned to reflect light below a wavelength cutoff towards a distal end of an associated imaging tip while permitting light emitted by the imaging agent with a wavelength above the wavelength cutoff to be transmitted to the photosensitive detector. However, it should be understood that other ways of directing light towards a distal end of the device might be used including, for example, fiber optics, LEDs located within the rigid tip, and other appropriate configurations.
As noted above, in embodiments, the medical imaging device may be associated with and/or coupled to one or more light sources. For example, a first light source may be adapted and arranged to provide light including a first range of wavelengths to a light directing element that reflects light below a threshold wavelength towards a distal end of a rigid imaging tip and transmits light above the threshold wavelength. However, other ways of directing light from the one or more light sources toward the distal end of the rigid imaging tip including fiber optics and LEDs located within the device or rigid imaging tip might also be used. Regardless of how the light is directed, the first range of wavelengths may be selected such that it is below the threshold wavelength and thus will be reflected towards the distal end of the rigid imaging tip to illuminate the device’s field of view. The light source may either be a constant light source or a pulsed light source depending on the particular embodiment. Additionally, the range of wavelengths emitted by the light source may be selected such that it corresponds to an excitation wavelength of a desired imaging agent. It should be understood that the specific wavelength will be dependent upon the particular imaging agent, optics, as well as the sensitivity of the photosensitive detector being used. However, in one embodiment, the first range of wavelengths may be between or equal to about 300 nm to 1,000 nm, 590 nm to 680 nm, 600 nm to 650 nm, 620 nm to 640 nm, or any other appropriate range of wavelengths depending on the particular imaging agent being used. Additionally, the first light source may be adapted to provide between about 10 mW/cm2 to 200 mW/cm2 at a desired focal plane for imaging tissue within a surgical bed, though other illumination intensities might also be used. For example, a light intensity of 50 mW/cm2 to 200 mW/cm2, 100 mW/cm2 to 200 mW/cm2, or 150 mW/cm2 to 200 mW/cm2 could also be used. Depending on the particular imaging agent being used, the various components of the medical imaging device may also be constructed and arranged to collect emission wavelengths from an imaging agent that are about 300 nm to 1,000 nm, 590 nm to 680 nm, 600 nm to 650 nm, 620 nm to 640 nm, or any other appropriate range of wavelengths.
An exemplary imaging agent capable of being used with the imaging devices disclosed herein may include a pegulicianine (e.g., LUM015). Pegulicianine is further described in U.S. Pat. Application Publication No. 2011/0104071 and U.S. Pat. Application Publication No. 2014/0301950, which are included herein by references in their entirety. Other appropriate fluorophores that might be included in an imaging agent include, but are not limited to, Cy3, Cy3.5, Cy5, Alexa 568, Alexa 546, Alexa 610, Alexa 647, ROX, TAMRA, Bodipy 576, Bodipy 581, Bodipy TR, Bodipy 630, VivoTag 645, and Texas Red. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to select imaging agents with fluorophores suitable for a particular application.
While various combinations of optical components and light sources are described above and in reference to the figures below, it should be understood that the various optical components such as filters, dichroic mirrors, fiber optics, mirrors, prisms, and other components are not limited to being used with only the embodiments they are described in reference to. Instead, these optical components may be used in any combination with any one of the embodiments described herein.
For the sake of clarity, the depicted embodiments are directed to calibration tips that are selectively attached to a distal portion of an imaging device. However, in other embodiments a distal portion of an imaging device is positioned proximate to a calibration surface included in a housing without the use of connectors. For example, a calibration standard may be disposed in a housing that includes a recess into which an imaging tip of the imaging device may be inserted. The calibration standard may be disposed within the recess such that the calibration standard is exposed to the imaging tip when the imaging tip is inserted into the calibration tip. Accordingly, it should be understood that the various embodiments described herein are not limited to only those shown in the figures.
Turning to the figures, specific non-limiting embodiments are described in further detail. It should be understood that the various systems, components, features, and methods described relative to these embodiments may be used either individually and/or in any desired combination as the disclosure is not limited to only the specific embodiments described herein.
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, it may be desirable to maintain a fixed distance between a distal end of the rigid imaging tip and the photosensitive detector. This may help to maintain the focus of tissue located within the focal plane defined by the distal end of the rigid imaging tip. Therefore, the rigid imaging tip may be adapted to resist deflection and/or deformation when pressed against a surgical bed such that tissue located within the focal plane defined by the distal end of the rigid imaging tip is maintained in focus.
During use, the medical imaging device may be associated with a light source 18 that directs light 18a with a first range of wavelengths towards the dichroic mirror 12. The first range of wavelengths may correspond to an excitation wavelength of a desired imaging agent. In some instances, the light source 18 may include appropriate components to collimate the light 18a. The light source 18 might also include one or more filters to provide a desired wavelength, or spectrum of wavelengths, while filtering out wavelengths like those detected by the photosensitive detector 20. In some embodiments, the dichroic mirror 12 may have a cutoff wavelength that is greater than the first range of wavelengths. Thus, the dichroic mirror 12 may reflect the incident light 18a towards a distal end of the rigid imaging tip 4 and onto the surgical bed 24. When the one or more cells 26 that are labeled with a desired imaging agent are exposed to the incident light 18a, they may generate a fluorescent signal 18b that is directed towards the photosensitive detector 20. The fluorescent signal may have a wavelength that is greater than the cutoff wavelength of the dichroic mirror 12. Therefore, the fluorescent signal 18b may pass through the dichroic mirror 12. The filter 14 may be a band pass filter adapted to filter out wavelengths other than the wavelength of the fluorescent signal. Alternatively, the filter 14 may permit other selected wavelengths to pass through as well. The fluorescent signal 18b may also pass through an aperture 16 to the imaging lens 10. The imaging lens 10 may focus the fluorescent signal 18b, which corresponds to light emitted from the entire field of view, onto a plurality of pixels 22 of the photosensitive detector 20. In some instances, the fluorescent signal 18b may be focused onto a first portion 28 of the photosensitive detector while second portions 30 of the photosensitive detector are not exposed to the fluorescent signal. However, in some embodiments, the fluorescent signal may be focused onto an entire surface of a photosensitive detector as the disclosure is not so limited.
Depending on the photosensitive detector used and the desired application, the one or more pixels 22 may have any desired size field of view. This may include field of views for individual pixels that are both smaller than and larger than a desired cell size. Consequently, a fluorescent signal 18b emitted from a surgical bed may be magnified or demagnified by the imaging device’s optics to provide a desired field of view for each pixel 22, see demagnification in
Having generally described embodiments related to a fluorescent imaging device with an associated rigid imaging tip, specific embodiments of a medical imaging device and its components are described in more detail below with regards to
According to the embodiment of
As shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
During use of the medical imaging device 100, the light source 120 may receive light from an associated light source. The light source 120 may be any appropriate structure including, for example, fiber-optic cables used to transmit light from the associated light source to the medical imaging device. According to the embodiment of
According to the embodiment of
It should be understood that the above components may be provided in any desired arrangement. Additionally, a medical imaging device may only include some of the above noted components and/or it may include additional components. However, regardless of the specific features included, an optical path 140 of a medical imaging device may pass from a distal end 104a of a rigid imaging tip 102 to a photosensitive detector 118. For example, light emitted from within a field of view may travel along an optical path 140 passing through the distal end 104a as well as the distal and proximal portions 104 and 106 of the rigid imaging tip. The optical path may also pass through the housing 116 including various optics to the photosensitive detector 118.
According to the embodiment of
In some embodiments as shown in
According to the embodiment of
Having described an imaging device, calibration tips that may be used with the forgoing embodiment of an imaging device, as well as other imaging devices described herein, are described in further detail relative to
In one embodiment, a calibration tip 300 as shown in
As noted above, in some embodiments, a calibration tip may include at least a second calibration surface. For example, as illustrated in the depicted embodiment, the first calibration plate 312a may be disposed on a second calibration plate 312b. The second calibration plate 312b may be disposed within a second housing portion 302b with the first and second calibration plates disposed between the first and second housing portions in an internal volume within the housing. Similar to the above, the second calibration plate may include a second calibration surface corresponding to dark calibration standard 310b which is illustrated as a separate layer disposed on an outer surface of the second calibration plate, though instances in which the second plate is made from an appropriate material are also contemplated. The dark calibration standard may be oriented in the second direction that is opposite from a direction in which the bright calibration standard 310a is oriented. Correspondingly, the dark calibration standard may be visible through a hole 304b that extends axially through the second housing portion. The second housing portion may also include a second connector 308b that is configured to selectively connect the second housing portion to a distal portion of an imaging device. Thus, both the light and dark calibration standards may be selectively connected to a distal portion of an imaging device within a predetermined distance of a focal plane of the imaging device as previously described.
In some embodiments, it may be desirable to facilitate providing a desired orientation of the calibration plates within a calibration tip relative to each other. For example, as illustrated in the figures, each of the first and second calibration plates 312a and 312b may include a corresponding tooth 330 and a notch 328. Thus, a tooth of the first calibration plate 312a may be aligned with and inserted within a notch of the second calibration plate and vice versa. This may help to ensure a desired surface of each calibration plate is oriented in the associated outward direction visible through the associated holes 304a and 304b.
In operation, a user may use the calibration tip 300 by attaching the first connector 308a to an imaging tip of an imaging device. This may position the bright calibration standard 310a within a predetermined distance of a focal plane of the imaging device. The user may then calibrate the imaging device using any appropriate method, including a calibration function included with a software package of the imaging device. The user may remove the calibration tip 300 by detaching the first connector 308a. The user may then attach the second connector 308b to a distal portion of the imaging device. This may position the dark calibration standard 310b within a predetermined distance of a focal plane of the imaging device. The user may then calibrate the imaging device using any appropriate method, including a calibration function included with a software package of the imaging device. This method may be used on any imaging device configured to receive the calibration tip 300, and may be especially useful in conjunction with certain medical imaging devices, including fluorescent imaging, whose function and reliability is improved by calibrating the device with respect to both a bright calibration standard and a dark calibration standard.
To facilitate construction, the first housing portion 302a and the second housing portion 302b may be joined together to form the housing of the calibration tip 300. Appropriate methods of joining may include ultrasonic welding, heat welding, or mechanical fastening methods including detents, clips, snaps, adhesives, threaded fasteners, threads, or any other appropriate method. For example, energy focusing protrusions 336, or other types of connection features, may be disposed between interlocking castellations, or other alignment features 320, formed on each housing portion. Thus, when the castellations are interlocked with one another, ultrasonic energy may be delivered to the energy focusing protrusions on each housing portion to ultrasonically weld the housing portions together. Of course, while a particular joining method for joining two separate housing portions together is illustrated in the figures, the current disclosure is not limited in this fashion. For example, an integrally formed housing as a single piece may be envisioned. In one such embodiment, the housing may be an over molded housing as the disclosure is not so limited.
As noted above, a calibration standard may either be integrally formed with, coated on, disposed on, or otherwise included in a calibration plate. For example, as best shown in
To facilitate a user knowing which side of a calibration tip corresponds to which calibration surface, it may be desirable to provide an indication that is visible to the user. For example, a label 318 may optionally be provided on the calibration tip 300. The label 318 may identify a side of the calibration tip 300 which houses either the bright calibration standard 310a, the dark calibration standard 310b, or both. Of course, embodiments in which a label is not included are also contemplated as the disclosure is not so limited.
While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.
This Application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/275,679, filed Nov. 4, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63275679 | Nov 2021 | US |