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

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目专注于通过开发用于短波红外(SWIR)波段的高度创新、低成本、高分辨率、光谱(多色)成像视频显微镜摄像机体系结构来改进显微镜技术。低成本的SWIR显微镜支持在微循环成像和红外(IR)荧光显微光谱分析方面引人注目的医学应用。虽然普遍存在且价格便宜，但在近红外(NIR)和SWIR波长下，CMOS相机的灵敏度较低。该项目建议将压缩传感领域的最新科学进展应用于设计一种功能独特的科学仪器，而成本仅为目前相机的一小部分。该仪器将实现多色、凝视高分辨率成像能力，同时只需要一维探测器阵列，不需要转向镜，显著降低系统成本，提高采集速度。该项目将开发先进的算法、紧凑的光学机械设计以及高速、低噪声的数据捕获和处理电子设备。这项研究的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是使数十亿美元的显微镜社区受益于低成本、多色、SWIR视频成像。这将增强并可能改变动态多荧光成像、活体功能成像、组织存活和病理学研究以及光学相干断层扫描等先进成像模式的临床模式。医学成像研究对近红外和SWIR波长表现出越来越大的兴趣，特别是在开发红外荧光团方面，这种荧光团几乎不产生任何自然荧光背景，同时还能增强组织的穿透深度。此外，多光谱红外探测器可为化学复杂、不均匀的生物材料获取丰富的化学信息。然而，在这一制度下，调查一直受到阻碍，因为没有价格合理的多色SWIR相机。用于微血管分布和血流成像的微循环成像是一个很好的切入点，与这项技术的光学和电子能力很好地匹配。此外，波长可调的单壁碳纳米管SWIR荧光分子成像将在生物和材料科学应用中受益。价格实惠的多光谱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、安全和监视。

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.