Apparatus and method of intracranial imaging

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting and predicting shape and underlying object properties. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an imaging apparatus having: an array of at least three co-planar electromagnetic transceiver defining a receiving plane; at least one deformable electromagnetic transceiver moveable orthogonally to the receiving plane; a two dimensional (2D) position tracking device configured to track a position of the electromagnetic transceiver on a surface 110 bounding a volume to be imaged; wherein the electromagnetic transceivers are configured to generate data from at least three depths below the surface for use in creating an image of the volume when the apparatus is moved along the surface.

1 . An imaging apparatus comprising:
 an array of at least three co-planar electromagnetic transceivers defining a receiving plane;   at least one deformable electromagnetic transceivers moveable orthogonally to the receiving plane;   a two dimensional (2D) position tracking device configured to track a position of the electromagnetic transceiver on a surface bounding a volume to be imaged;   wherein the electromagnetic transceivers are configured to generate data from at least three depths below the surface for use in creating an image of the volume when the apparatus is moved along the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface is curved and wherein the image is obtained by continuously realigning the data from two dimensional Cartesian co-ordinates into curvilinear co-ordinates. 
     
     
         3 . An imaging apparatus for a curved surface comprising:
 an array of at least three co-planar points defining a receiving plane;   a two dimensional (2D) position tracking device configured to track a position of the device on a surface bounding a volume to be imaged; and   wherein the apparatus is configured to measure the curved surface using a predetermined curved surface measuring means to measure deformation of the position tracking device.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 a first gyroscope aligned with the two dimensional (2D) position tracking device; and   a second gyroscope spaced apart from the first gyroscope in a direction orthogonal to the receiving plane by a distance.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein one or more additional gyroscopes are implemented. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a displacement sensor configured to measure deformation of the two dimensional (2D) position tracking device moving on the surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic transceivers are optical transceivers. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the optical emitter is a near infra-red (NIR) emitter and the optical receivers are NIR transceivers. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the optical emitter comprises a light emitting diode (LED) and wherein the optical receivers comprise a light receiving diode (LRD) or avalanche photo-diode (APD). 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the apparatus is configured to utilize multiple optical wavelengths. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is configured to utilize at least one of a temporal multiplexer, band pass filter, and frequency multiplexer to prevent contamination between the multiple optical wavelengths. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an imaging system interconnected with a computer configured to display a three-dimensional ( 3 D) image of the volume. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured for the detection and monitoring of a hematoma and/or a concussion of a subject. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of intracranial imaging comprising:
 providing an imaging apparatus configured for movement along a surface of a cranium to be imaged, the imaging apparatus configured to generate data from at least three depths below the surface for use in creating an image of an intracranial volume;   comparing the optical density of the at least three depths to determine an optical density ratio between the depths; and   monitoring for changes in optical density ratio as a function of time or distance moved by the imaging apparatus along the cranium.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises adjusting the number of layers being imaged and/or the rate of movement of the imaging apparatus along the cranial surface in response to a change in the optical density ratio. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises comparing features of the image with a pre-existing structural image to obtain a registered image location within the cranium, wherein the preexisting structural image comprises at least one of: a brain atlas and MRI. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises creating a preferred path for the imaging device based on the registered image location and the preexisting structural image. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the method further comprises placing a head gear that is transparent to NIR electromagnetic radiation on the cranium and indicating the preferred path on the head gear. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the preferred path is indicated with reference to electromagnetic reference signals of the head gear that interact with the imaging apparatus to indicate its position on the head gear or by optically detectable reference indicia on the head gear. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the imaging apparatus comprises a transceiver which is a near infra-red (NIR) transceiver and an optical transceiver. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the imaging apparatus is configured for the detection and monitoring of a hematoma and/or a concussion of a subject. 
     
     
         25 . A method of intracranial imaging comprising:
 providing an imaging apparatus moving along at least three co-planar points defining a receiving plane, and implementing a two dimensional (2D) position tracking device configured to track a position of the device on a surface bounding a volume to be imaged, and wherein the apparatus is configured to measure the curved surface using a pre-determined curved surface measuring means to measure deformation of the position tracking device;   comparing the optical density ratio of the surface based on the curved surface means to measure deformation; and   monitoring for changes in optical density ratio as a function of time or distance moved by the imaging apparatus along the cranium.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the surface measuring means comprises at least one of the following: one or more gyroscopes and a displacement sensor. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the imaging apparatus further comprises:
 a first gyroscope aligned with the two dimensional (2D) position tracking device; and   a second gyroscope spaced apart from the first gyroscope in a direction orthogonal to the receiving plane by a distance.   
     
     
         28 . The method of according to  claim 27 , wherein the imaging apparatus further comprises one or more additional gyroscopes. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the imaging apparatus further comprises a displacement sensor configured to measure deformation of the two dimensional (2D) position tracking device moving on the surface. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the imaging apparatus is confiqured for the detection and monitoring of a hematoma and/or a concussion of a subject.