System and method for large field of view, single cell analysis

Abstract

A method and system for medical imaging employs an excitation source configured to cause an object having a plurality of cells to at least one of emit, reflect, and fluoresce light. An optical receptor is employed that is configured to receive the light from the object. A filter assembly receives the light from the optical receptor and filters the light. An image processor having a field of view (FOV) substantially greater than a diameter of a cell of the object and an analysis resolution substantially matched to the diameter of a cell of the object that receives the filtered light from the filter and analyzes the filtered light corresponding to each cell in the FOV. A feedback system is provided that is configured to provide an indication of a state of each cell in the FOV and a location of a cell in the FOV meeting a predetermined condition.

1 . A medical imaging system comprising:
 an imaging device including a plurality of pixels;   an imaging lens optically coupled to the imaging device;   an excitation light source configured to emit an excitation light in a wavelength range of 625 nm to 680 nm towards an object in substantially a whole field of view of the imaging device, wherein the plurality of pixels of the imaging device simultaneously collect light fluoresced from the object from substantially the whole field of view of the imaging device, and wherein the imaging device is configured to analyze the collected light fluoresced from the object; and   an image processor in communication with the imaging device, wherein the image processor analyzes an image from the imaging device to determine a cell state and location of pixels having light intensities greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold light intensity.   
     
     
         2 . The medical imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging lens is configured to remain stationary. 
     
     
         3 . The medical imaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer configured to maintain a fixed distance between a portion of the spacer configured to contact the object and the imaging lens. 
     
     
         4 . The medical imaging system of  claim 3 , wherein in at least one operating mode the imaging device is configured to be focused on and image the object in contact with the portion of the spacer. 
     
     
         5 . The medical imaging system of  claim 3 , wherein the portion of the spacer configured to contact the object includes a planar surface that extends across a distal end of the spacer. 
     
     
         6 . The medical imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the cell state includes a cell being diseased. 
     
     
         7 . The medical imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the light collected by the imaging device is not magnified. 
     
     
         8 . The medical imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging device has a field of view substantially greater than about a diameter of a human cancer cell. 
     
     
         9 . The medical imaging system of  claim 8 , wherein the imaging device has an analysis resolution less than or equal to about the diameter of the human cancer cell. 
     
     
         10 . The medical imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical imaging system is configured to be hand-held. 
     
     
         11 . The medical imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical imaging system is configured for in vivo imaging. 
     
     
         12 . The medical imaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation light is configured to excite a Cy5 fluorophore. 
     
     
         13 . A medical imaging system comprising:
 an imaging device including a plurality of pixels;   an imaging lens optically coupled to the imaging device;   an excitation light source configured to emit an excitation light configured to excite a Cy5 fluorophore towards an object in substantially a whole field of view of the imaging device, wherein the plurality of pixels of the imaging device simultaneously collect light fluoresced from the object from substantially the whole field of view of the imaging device, and wherein the imaging device is configured to analyze the collected light fluoresced from the Cy5 fluorophore; and   an image processor in communication with the imaging device, wherein the image processor analyzes an image from the imaging device to determine a cell state and location of pixels having light intensities greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold light intensity.   
     
     
         14 . The medical imaging system of  claim 13 , wherein the imaging lens is configured to remain stationary. 
     
     
         15 . The medical imaging system of  claim 13 , further comprising a spacer configured to maintain a fixed distance between a portion of the spacer configured to contact the object and the imaging lens. 
     
     
         16 . The medical imaging system of  claim 15 , wherein in at least one operating mode the imaging device is configured to be focused on and image the object in contact with the portion of the spacer. 
     
     
         17 . The medical imaging system of  claim 15 , wherein the portion of the spacer configured to contact the object includes a planar surface that extends across a distal end of the spacer. 
     
     
         18 . The medical imaging system of  claim 13 , wherein the cell state includes a cell being diseased. 
     
     
         19 . The medical imaging system of  claim 13 , wherein the light collected by the imaging device is not magnified. 
     
     
         20 . The medical imaging system of  claim 13 , wherein the imaging device has a field of view substantially greater than about a diameter of a human cancer cell. 
     
     
         21 . The medical imaging system of  claim 20 , wherein the imaging device has an analysis resolution less than or equal to about the diameter of the human cancer cell. 
     
     
         22 . The medical imaging system of  claim 13 , wherein the medical imaging system is configured to be hand-held. 
     
     
         23 . The medical imaging system of  claim 13 , wherein the medical imaging system is configured for in vivo imaging. 
     
     
         24 . The medical imaging system of  claim 13 , wherein the excitation light is in a wavelength range of 635 nm to 680 nm.