bmdo technologies for biomedical applications - MDA Technology

ADVANCED IMAGINGSPECTROMETERBMDO HISTORYPacific Advanced Technology, Inc. (PAT; Solvang, CA), has developed animaging spectroradiometer that can be used to detect and identify chemicalsand biological matter for military, environmental, law enforcement, andmedical applications. Called the image multispectral sensor (IMSS), thistechnology is based on advances in diffractive optics and image and signalprocessing. It images a scene in three dimensions,two spatial and one spectral, to build aBioluminescence, a traitmultispectral spatial imaging cube of data.• The IMSS imaging device can helpdetect bioluminescence in dangerousbacteria.found in the familiar firefly,is a natural phenomenonthat has enabled biologiststo develop clever ways totrack gene expression inanimals. For instance, aglowing protein found injellyfish has been successfullyincorporated as areporter gene in transgeniclaboratory mice.BMDO funded PAT’s multispectral sensingtechnology in 1995 through the SBIR programin a joint project with Amber, aRaytheon company (Goleta, CA). Amberand BMDO provided $150,000 each for theproject. With IMSS technology, BMDOcould detect theater missiles in clutter,identify friend or foe, and detect and identifychemical agents. PAT previouslyobtained a BMDO SBIR Phase I contractoutside this teaming arrangement.HOW IT WORKSWhile other spectral imaging devices havevery complex optics and require exact alignment,PAT’s instrument uses a simple opticaldesign that allows for relaxed tolerances onoptical alignment. Rugged and portable, itcan operate in harsh environments such asairborne and space-based platforms.50PAT has commercialized this instrumentwith joint funding from the BMDO SBIR program and Amber. Amber sellsthe commercial IMSS as an attachment to its RADIANCE 1 and Galileocameras to make a midwave infrared multispectral radiometric imager, usefulfor spectroscopy and radiometry. PAT supplies Amber with the multispectrallens system as well as the image- and signal-processing softwarecalled HYPAT. This system uses an f/2.5 nominal 102-millimeter focallength lens and covers the full 3- to 5-micrometer spectral band with a spectralresolution of less than 0.01 micrometers. Using the Galileo camera inthe highest data acquisition mode, spectral images over the 3- to 5-micrometerband with 400 spectral bins can be collected in less than 1 second.Chapter 2 - Observation TechnologiesSection C - DiagnosisBMDO Technologies for Biomedical Applications