Three-dimensional image reconstruction using two light sources

Abstract

Methods and systems for producing a 3D image representation of an in vivo object that include illuminating the object with at least two separate illumination sources included in a wireless imaging device, the first of the at least two illumination sources for illuminating said object from a first side of the object and the second of the at least two illumination sources for illuminating said object from a second side of the object; obtaining at least a first image and a second image of the object, whereby the first image is obtained using a first illumination source, and the second image is obtained using the second illumination source; comparing between photometry measurements of reflected light intensity in the at least first and second images; and constructing a 3D image representation of the object from the at least first and second images, based on said comparison.

1 . A method of producing a 3D image representation of an in vivo object comprising:
 illuminating the object with at least two separate illumination sources included in a wireless imaging device, the first of the at least two illumination sources for illuminating said object from a first side of the object and the second of the at least two illumination sources for illuminating said object from a second side of the object;   obtaining at least a first image and a second image of the object, whereby the first image is obtained using a first illumination source, and the second image is obtained using the second illumination source;   comparing between photometry measurements of reflected light intensity in the at least first and second images; and   constructing a 3D image representation of the object from the at least first and second images, based on said comparison.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising displaying the 3D image representation. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising sequentially illuminating the object with the at least two separate illumination sources. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the object is illuminated by white illumination sources. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein illuminating the object comprises illuminating simultaneously using the at least two separate illumination sources. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein illuminating the object comprises illuminating using different color illumination sources. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising using filters to separate different color information. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the illumination sources include a visible illumination source and an invisible illumination source. 
   
   
       9 . An imaging system for producing a 3D image representation of an object in an internal space of a body comprising:
 a wireless imaging device comprising a first image sensor to produce stereoscopic image data of the object, said device comprising at least two controllable illumination sources to illuminate the object from a first side of the object and the from a second side of the object, thereby obtaining at least two in vivo images through different illumination paths; and   a processing unit to compare photometry measurements of reflected light intensity in the at least two in vivo images and to construct a 3D image representation of the object based on the comparison.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the first image sensor is for obtaining a first in vivo image through a first optical path; and wherein the system further comprises a second image sensor for obtaining a second in vivo image through a second optical path; whereby the two images provide stereoscopic image data. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the image sensors are arranged back to back along a longitudinal axis of said imaging device. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the image sensors are arranged along a longitudinal wall of said imaging device. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the illumination sources are operated simultaneously. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein each illumination source is controllable to produce illumination of a different predetermined spectral response. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13  comprising color filters to separate light from said image into right and left images, to obtain right and left distance measurements for the construction of the 3D image representation. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein one illumination source emits visible light to produce a visible spectrum image and one illumination source emits invisible light. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said image sensor is controllable to gather images in synchronization with said illumination sources thereby to obtain independently illuminated images. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 9  comprising a sequential control for operating said illumination sources sequentially. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the processing unit is external to the body. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a display to present the 3D image representation.