Polarization Imaging Apparatus for Cell and Tissue Imaging and Diagnostics, Phase I

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the propagation of polarized light in randomly scattering media. The investigation of backscattered light is of particular interest since most medical applications aimed at the in-vivo characterization of biological tissue rely on backscattered light. By recording the spatially dependent response of a medium to a polarized point source, one may obtain information about the scattering particles that are not accessible to mere intensity measurements. In this program, Boston Applied Technologies Incorporated (BATI), together with the Catholic University of America (CUA) proposes an innovative NIR polarization imaging solution based on high performance fast tunable phase retarder and novel algorithm. It will have the ability to record both scattering images and Stokes polarization imaging. It allows very fast recording the polarization images at the speed limit of a CCD. It contains no moving parts and can accommodate to most of the existing CCD cameras. The unique measurement procedure allows efficient, accurate sensing of the polarization imaging. A computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) software will be developed for the proposed polarization imaging system.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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