Patent ID: 7286869

Claim:
A method of optical imaging of turbid media using a plurality of discrete wavelengths in an optical imaging system, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a set of chromophores for characterizing a property of the turbid media; defining parameters of the system including at least a number of said discrete wavelengths, a value of each of said wavelengths, source power and detector aperture for each of said wavelengths, a choice of image algorithm and source/detector geometries, a choice of source and detector and noise characteristics; fixing a value of all of said parameters except a plurality of said parameters values to be optimized; determining an optimal value for each of said parameter values to be optimized as a function of a performance of the system in measuring a concentration of said chromophores in said turbid media for characterizing said property as a whole; and using said optimal value for each of said parameter values in imaging said turbid media.