Patent ID: 7142304

Claim:
A method for collecting data for use in image reconstruction of a scattering target medium, comprising: providing a source for directing at least one wavelength of near infrared energy into a target medium; providing a detector for measuring diffusely scattered near infrared energy emerging from the target medium; selecting at least one wavelength of near infrared energy, wherein the at least one wavelength of near infrared energy is selected to maximize the total path length of near infrared energy propagating through the target medium from the source to a detector and to maintain an acceptable energy density at the detector; directing at least one selected wavelength of near infrared energy into the target medium; and measuring at least one wavelength of diffusely scattered near infrared energy emerging from the target medium; providing a plurality of detectors at a plurality of distances from the source, and selecting a single wavelength to maximize the total path length of near infrared energy from the source to a detector furthest from the source and to maintain an acceptable energy density at the farthest detector.