Abstract
PURPOSE: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using an LED array for hyperspectral imaging (HSI). The prototype validates the concept and provides insights into the design of future HSI applications. Our goal is to design, develop, and test a real-time, LED-based HSI prototype as a proof-of-principle device for in situ hyperspectral imaging using LEDs. APPROACH: A prototype was designed based on a multiwavelength LED array and a monochrome camera and was tested to investigate the properties of the LED-based HSI. The LED array consisted of 18 LEDs in 18 different wavelengths from 405 nm to 910 nm. The performance of the imaging system was evaluated on different normal and cancerous ex vivo tissues. The impact of imaging conditions on the HSI quality was investigated. The LED-based HSI device was compared with a reference hyperspectral camera system. RESULTS: The hyperspectral signatures of different imaging targets were acquired using our prototype HSI device, which are comparable to the data obtained using the reference HSI system. CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of employing a spectral LED array as the illumination source for high-speed and high-quality HSI has been demonstrated. The use of LEDs for HSI can open the door to numerous applications in endoscopic, laparoscopic, and handheld HSI devices.