Abstract: A system for spatially mapping neurons in brain tissue is disclosed which includes a source of light configured to be shone on a subject at a first wavelength causing emission of light at a second wavelength from generating calcium when one or more neurons are firing, an optical filter configured to allow passage of light having the second wavelength, an image capture device configured to capture images of the brain tissue at the second wavelength, and a processor with software configured to establish a spatial model for localizing one or more neurons where captured images are used to iteratively adjust parameters of the model to thereby minimize error between generated and captured images.

Abstract: A method for identifying a source of florescence is disclosed which includes shining light on a subject at a first wavelength, causing emission of light at a second wavelength from the source of fluorescence, filtering out light at the first wavelength, capturing at least one 2 dimensional (2D) image of a subject having a plurality of pixels at the second wavelength, and establishing information about approximate location of a source of florescence within a tissue of the subject, selectively generating a 3D geometric model where the model is adapted to provide a model representation of the at least one 2D captured image, comparing the modeled at least one 2D captured image to the captured at least one 2D image and iteratively adjusting the model to minimize the difference, and outputting location and geometric configuration of the source of fluorescence within the tissue within the region of interest.

Abstract: Methods for locating blood vessels, lesions, and other discontinuities in tissue such as, but not limited to, the greater palatine artery (GPA) in the hard palate using an optical imaging process, surgical procedures utilizing the identified locations of discontinuities, and devices suitable for use during surgical procedures. According to one aspect, such a method locates a blood vessel or lesion in tissue by imaging the tissue via a diffuse optical imaging (DOI) process that measures light that travels through the tissue, and then locates the blood vessel or lesion in the tissue based on a difference in absorption of the light between the tissue and the blood vessel or lesion.

Abstract: A system for spatially mapping neurons in brain tissue is disclosed which includes a source of light configured to be shone on a subject at a first wavelength causing emission of light at a second wavelength from generating calcium when one or more neurons are firing, an optical filter configured to allow passage of light having the second wavelength, an image capture device configured to capture images of the brain tissue at the second wavelength, and a processor with software configured to establish a spatial model for localizing one or more neurons where captured images are used to iteratively adjust parameters of the model to thereby minimize error between generated and captured images.

Abstract: A method for identifying a source of florescence is disclosed which includes shining light on a subject at a first wavelength, causing emission of light at a second wavelength from the source of fluorescence, filtering out light at the first wavelength, capturing at least one 2 dimensional (2D) image of a subject having a plurality of pixels at the second wavelength, and establishing information about approximate location of a source of florescence within a tissue of the subject, selectively generating a 3D geometric model where the model is adapted to provide a model representation of the at least one 2D captured image, comparing the modeled at least one 2D captured image to the captured at least one 2D image and iteratively adjusting the model to minimize the difference, and outputting location and geometric configuration of the source of fluorescence within the tissue within the region of interest.

Abstract: An optically heterogeneous phantom structure for use in optical imaging techniques. The phantom structure includes an external shape simulating an object to be subjected to an optical imaging technique, the external shape defining an external surface that encloses an internal volume of the external shape; and an optically heterogeneous material filling the internal volume and having heterogeneous optical properties for simulating at least one optical parameter of at least one region within the object. A method of producing the optically heterogeneous phantom structure. The method includes selectively depositing precursors of a first material and a second material by 3D printing so that the precursor of the second material is surrounded by the precursor of the first material within a predetermined internal region of the precursor of the first material, and forming the phantom structure. Variations of the method include additives to the materials.

Abstract: Methods for locating blood vessels, lesions, and other discontinuities in tissue such as, but not limited to, the greater palatine artery (GPA) in the hard palate using an optical imaging process, surgical procedures utilizing the identified locations of discontinuities, and devices suitable for use during surgical procedures. According to one aspect, such a method locates a blood vessel or lesion in tissue by imaging the tissue via a diffuse optical imaging (DOI) process that measures light that travels through the tissue, and then locates the blood vessel or lesion in the tissue based on a difference in absorption of the light between the tissue and the blood vessel or lesion.

Abstract: An optically heterogeneous phantom structure for use in optical imaging techniques. The phantom structure includes an external shape simulating an object to be subjected to an optical imaging technique, the external shape defining an external surface that encloses an internal volume of the external shape; and an optically heterogeneous material filling the internal volume and having heterogeneous optical properties for simulating at least one optical parameter of at least one region within the object. A method of producing the optically heterogeneous phantom structure. The method includes selectively depositing precursors of a first material and a second material by 3D printing so that the precursor of the second material is surrounded by the precursor of the first material within a predetermined internal region of the precursor of the first material, and forming the phantom structure. Variations of the method include additives to the materials.