Patent ID: 7508966
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: G02B,G06K

Abstract:
1. An optical system for real time processing of an input medical image of bodily tissue, and dynamically identifying abnormal pathological changes in the input medical image, the system comprising: a light source emitting light directed at the input medical image of bodily tissue; a first optical Fourier element that Fourier transforms light from the input medical image, wherein the Fourier transform occurs in a Fourier plane; an adjustable spatial filter in the Fourier plane that filters the transformed light by selectively removing a first frequency component and transmitting a second frequency component, the adjustable spatial filter comprising a transparent annular ring surrounded by opaque regions, wherein the transparent annular ring is expanded or contracted to transmit the second frequency component which is dynamically selected to associate with the abnormal pathological changes in the input medical image; a second optical Fourier element that receives the filtered transformed light and inversely Fourier transforms the filtered transformed light to provide a processed medical image of the bodily tissue including the second frequency component; and an image sensor that detects the processed medical image and generates an electronic representation of the processed medical image.