Shortwave Infrared Imaging: What is it?
SWIR is an advanced shortwave infrared imaging technique that allows physicians and surgeons to view internal body structures. SWIR wavelengths have greater penetration depths and less optical scattering. SWIR has an advantage when imaging subcutaneous tissue or lipids. SWIR wavelengths can also be used to image large superficial blood vessels located 1-2 millimeters beneath the skin’s surface.
SWIR penetrating window
An optical imaging tool used to study tissue is the SWIR penetrating glass. This advanced technology has many advantages over other imaging methods. SWIR wavelengths penetrate deeper than visible light into tissues. A SWIR window is able to better see lipids and other subcutaneous tissues. A small SWIR window can be used to image large superficial blood vessels, which are located below the skin’s top.
The unique advantages of shortwave infrared imaging systems include remote sensing, smoke penetration, material detection, and remote sensing. They overcome challenges inherent in measurement, inspection, and process monitoring. SWIR imaging solutions stand out from other imaging technologies due to their unique absorption capabilities. This technology can image objects in the space between them, which is not possible with other imaging methods.
Although SWIR-MPI can image deeper than NIR and visible wavelengths, it does have some limitations. It cannot be used to noninvasively image deeper internal organs. In the future, development of minimally invasive endoscopic SWIR-MPI techniques may help overcome this limitation. Another problem is the partial volume effect that occurs in spatially complex tissues. The reason for this is that probing photons might travel through multiple tissue types which may reduce the spatial resolution. As a result, measurements represent a weighted average of several different regions.
Limitations of SWIR-MPI
SWIR-MPI’s weakness is its inability to identify vascular structures based upon their blood composition. This type of imaging is not labeled and therefore easy to interpret, but it can still fail in peripheral edema detection. A simple clinical observation can be used to confirm edema, such as skin redness, increased tissue volume, or pain when touched. SWIR-MPI is able to quantify the water content in tissues and track the onset and resolution.
SWIR-MPI’s relatively shallow depth is another drawback. It probes the top few millimeters of tissue, which makes it difficult to detect the lipid content that lies deeper than the visible portion of tissue. Although this may decrease the strength of the correlation, the technique produces a high correlation with histopathologic staining.
While SWIR-MPI is capable of imaging deeper than VIS-NIR imaging images, there are still limitations. It is less sensitive than VISNIR light but it is not designed for non-invasive imaging of deep inner organs. These issues could be solved by the possible development of an endoscopic SWIR/MPI. Additionally, SWIR/MPI is subject to the partial volume effect. Because the photons that are used for the imaging procedure may travel through different tissue types, the resulting measurements will be a weighted average of different regions.
Applications of SWIR cameras
Infrared shortwave cameras are great for monitoring industrial processes that must distinguish between good and bad. They can observe hidden moisture and anticounterfeit security code. They can also monitor distant processes, which is particularly useful for the metal processing sector.
Since moisture is a powerful absorber of SWIR, it can be used to examine coatings, bulk material dryness uniformity, and fill levels of opaque packages. Also, SWIR cameras can be used to monitor hot processes such maintenance of furnaces. These cameras are affordable and readily available, making them a popular choice for industrial applications. They can accurately measure temperatures as high as 3,000°C thanks to their radiometric calibration.
SWIR (shortwave infrared) is light that has a wavelength between 0.9 and 1.7mm. Indium Gallium Arsenide sensors (InGaAs) are used to make shortwave infrared camera. These sensors are affordable and practical, and do not require cryogenic cooling.
Market forecasts
SWIR imaging is becoming a popular technology for security and surveillance. It is used in many applications to detect and monitor the infrared radiation, including industrial and defense. Over the next five year, the SWIR imaging market will grow rapidly. This region will have many markets in several countries, including the U.S. which has one the largest defense budgets anywhere in the world. Additionally, the technology is increasingly being used in the medical sector, including in the pharmaceutical and medical industries, as well as scientific research.
Shortwave infrared imaging is expected to continue growing, driven by night vision technologies being more widely adopted. The forecast for this technology is based on the Porter’s Five Forces model, which analyzes the intensity of competition in a market.