SBIR Phase I: Low cost shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectral imaging microscope camera based on Compressive Sensing

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的重点是通过开发一种高度创新、低成本、高分辨率、光谱（多色）成像视频显微镜相机架构来改进显微镜技术，用于短波红外（SWIR）波段。低成本SWIR显微镜支持在微循环成像和红外（IR）荧光显微光谱引人注目的医疗应用。尽管CMOS相机无处不在且价格便宜，但它在近红外（NIR）波段的灵敏度很低，在SWIR波段没有灵敏度。该项目建议将压缩感知领域的最新科学进展应用于设计一种独特的科学仪器，其成本仅为当前摄像机的一小部分。该仪器将实现多色，凝视高分辨率成像能力，而只需要一维探测器阵列和无转向镜，显着降低系统成本并提高采集速度。该项目将开发先进的算法、紧凑的光机械设计以及高速、低噪声数据捕获和处理电子设备。这项研究的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是打开数十亿美元的显微镜社区，使其受益于低成本，多色，SWIR视频成像。这将增强并可能改变动态多荧光成像、体内功能成像、组织活力和病理研究以及光学相干断层扫描等先进成像方式的临床模式。医学成像研究对近红外和SWIR波长越来越感兴趣，特别是对红外荧光团的开发，这些荧光团几乎不产生自身荧光背景，同时增强了组织穿透深度。此外，多光谱红外探测器获得丰富的化学信息，化学复杂，异质生物材料。然而，由于价格合理的多色SWIR相机无法获得，因此在这种情况下调查受到阻碍。微血管分布和血流测绘的微循环成像是一个很好的切入点，与该技术的光学和电子功能很好地匹配。此外，波长调谐的单壁碳纳米管SWIR荧光分子成像将有利于生物和材料科学的应用。一个经济实惠的多光谱SWIR成像平台将推动许多其他商业应用，包括食品安全，太阳能电池板和半导体检测，机器视觉，导航，安全和监控。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is focused on technology to improve microscopy through the development of a highly-innovative, low-cost, high-resolution, spectral (multi-color) imaging video microscope camera architecture for use in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) waveband. Low cost SWIR microscopy supports compelling medical applications in microcirculation imaging and infrared (IR) fluorescence microspectroscopy. Although ubiquitous and cheap, CMOS cameras have low sensitivity in near-infrared (NIR) and no sensitivity at SWIR wavelengths. This project proposes to apply recent scientific advances in the area of Compressive Sensing to the design of a uniquely capable scientific instrument at a fraction of the cost of current cameras. This instrument will achieve a multi-color, staring high-resolution imaging capability while requiring only a one-dimensional detector array and no steering mirror, significantly reducing system cost and increasing acquisition speed. This project will develop advanced algorithms, a compact opto-mechanical design, and high-speed, low-noise data capture and processing electronics.The broader impact/commercial potential of this research is to open the multi-billion dollar microscopy community to the benefits of low-cost, multi-color, SWIR video imaging. This will enhance and possibly transform clinical modalities in dynamic multi-fluorescence imaging, in vivo functional imaging, tissue viability and pathology studies, and advanced imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography. Medical imaging research is showing growing interest in the NIR and SWIR wavelengths, particularly in the development of IR fluorophores which produce practically no autofluorescence background while simultaneously enhancing tissue penetration depth. Additionally, multispectral IR detectors acquire a wealth of chemical information for chemically complex, heterogeneous biomaterials. However, investigations have been hampered in this regime because reasonably-priced, multi-color, SWIR cameras are not available. Microcirculation imaging for microvascular distributions and flow mapping represents an excellent entry point and a good match for the optical and electronic capabilities of this technology. Also, SWIR fluorescence molecular imaging with wavelength-tuned, single-walled carbon nanotubes will benefit in biological and material science applications. An affordable multispectral SWIR imaging platform will advance many other commercial applications including food safety, solar panel and semiconductor inspection, machine vision, navigation, security and surveillance.