Device and method for wide-field and high resolution imaging of tissue

Abstract

A device for wide-field and high resolution imaging of an object surface includes first and second imaging modalities, a lens associated with the second imaging modality. The first imaging modality is high resolution with a first observation line. The second imaging modality is arranged in an image plane at a first angle with respect to an object plane and has a second observation line and a wider imaging field than the first imaging modality. The lens associated with the second imaging modality is arranged in a lens plane at a second angle with respect to the object plane, where the second angle being equal to about one-half of the first angle. The first and second imaging modalities are mutually arranged such that the first and second optical axes intersect at a point on the object plane.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A system for providing wide-field and high resolution images, comprising:
 a first imaging modality having high-resolution imaging means;   a second imaging modality including an image sensor arranged in an image plane at a first angle with respect to an object plane, having a wider imaging field than the first imaging modality; and   a computer system operatively associated with the first and second imaging modalities, the computer system comprising a processor and executable code being adapted and configured to:
 capture a first image by way of the second imaging modality; 
   
       receive instructions to image with the first imaging modality, a selected region of the first image;
   capture a second image of the selected region, via the first imaging modality, in accordance with the instructions.   
 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the system further comprises:
 an objective lens with a first observation line associated with the first imaging modality, the second imaging modality having a second observation line; and   a lens associated with the second imaging modality, arranged in a lens plane at a second angle with respect to the object plane, the second angle being equal to about one-half of the first angle,   the first and second imaging modalities being mutually arranged such that the first and second optical axes intersect at a point on the object plane.   
     
     
         20 . A method of wide-field and high resolution imaging of an object, the method comprising:
 providing a device having:
 a first imaging modality having high-resolution imaging means and a first observation line; and 
 a second imaging modality including an image sensor arranged in an image plane at a first angle with respect to an object plane, the second imaging modality having a second observation line and a wider imaging field than the first imaging modality; 
   positioning the first and second imaging modalities in an imaging region of an object surface of which an image is desired, such that the first and second optical axes mutually intersect in the imaging region;   illuminating the imaging region via confocal optics of the first imaging modality;   capturing a first image of the imaging region with the second imaging modality;   identifying a first sub-region of interest within the first image of the imaging region;   capturing a second image of the first sub-region with the first imaging modality; and   analyzing the second image.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 identifying a second sub-region of interest;   capturing a third image of the second sub-region with the first imaging modality; and   analyzing the third image.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein identification of the first and second sub-regions of interest occur concurrently, prior to capturing of the second and third images. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 illuminating the imaging region with a first frequency of light while capturing the first image; and   illuminating the sub-region with the first frequency of light while capturing the second image.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 illuminating the imaging region with a second frequency of light while capturing a third image of the imaging region; and   illuminating the sub-region with the second frequency of light while capturing a fourth image of the sub-region.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 illuminating the imaging region with polychromatic light while capturing a fifth image of the imaging region; and   illuminating the sub-region while capturing a sixth image of the sub-region.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second images each include a plurality of images acquired with different imaging techniques. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein analysis of the second image is performed to find abnormal cell growth in skin of a patient 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein identification of the one or more sub regions is performed automatically by a computer system. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein analysis of the second image is performed automatically by a computer system. 
     
     
         30 . A system for providing wide-field and high resolution images, comprising:
 a first imaging modality having high-resolution imaging means;   a second imaging modality capable of providing a macroscopic image having a wider imaging field than the first imaging modality; and   a computer system operatively associated with the first and second imaging modalities, the computer system comprising a processor and executable code being adapted and configured to:
 receive instructions from a user to capture a macroscopic first image of an object; 
 capture a first image of the object by way of the second imaging modality; 
 display the first image for a user to view; 
 receive input selecting a first region of the first image, corresponding to a first region of the object, to be imaged with the first imaging modality; 
 send instructions to adjust the first imaging modality to a position in which an image of the first region can be captured; and 
 capture a second image of the first region, via the first imaging modality. 
   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the computer system comprises a processor and executable code are further adapted and configured to store the first and second captured images, the first and second captured images being in color. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the computer system comprises a processor and executable code are further adapted and configured to:
 receive input selecting a second region of the first image, corresponding to a second region of the object, to be imaged with the first imaging modality;   send instructions to adjust the first imaging modality to a position in which an image of the second region can be captured; and   capture a third image of the second region, via the first imaging modality.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the computer system comprises a processor and executable code are further adapted and configured to:
 receive input selecting a third region of the first image, corresponding to a third region of the object, to be imaged with the first imaging modality;   send instructions to adjust the first imaging modality to a position in which an image of the third region can be captured; and   capture a fourth image of the third region, via the first imaging modality.