System and method for imaging sub-surface polarization-sensitive material structures
US7289211B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2005 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/0634
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of visually quantifying a test material along with an imaging apparatus for practicing the method is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) illuminating the test material at a known angle of incidence with diffuse light of a known and adjustable polarization state; (b) receiving light from the test material with a polarization state modified by the test material; (c) measuring an intensity of the polarization components of the received light for each illuminated pixel substantially simultaneously; (d) calculating the Stokes Vector in two dimensions for each illuminated pixel; and (e) creating an image map for the known polarization state. The method may also include adjusting the known polarization or the incident angle of the diffuse light to create additional image maps. The method and apparatus are intended for use in medical imaging including minimally invasive surgery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.