Method of and device for localizing a deviant region in a turbid medium

1. A method of localizing a deviant region in a turbid medium that is represented by a set of volume elements, which method includes

first irradiating the turbid medium with light comprising radiation of mainly a first wavelength:

first measuring intensity of the light comprising radiation of mainly the first wavelength as it is transported along a plurality of light paths through the turbid medium; and

second irradiating the turbid medium with light comprising radiation of a second wavelength which is not equal to the first wavelength;

second measuring intensity of the light comprising radiation of mainly the second wavelength as it is transported along a plurality of light paths through the turbid medium;

reconstructing an image ( 9 ) of the turbid medium from the measured intensity of the light of the first and second wavelength; and

displaying the reconstructed image, further including:

calculating:

at least a first parameter in dependence on the measured intensity for a volume element which represents a property of the turbid medium, and

a significance value to the volume element based on the first parameter, and

displaying a point in the image that corresponds to one of the volume elements, and

measuring the turbid medium after it is irradiated by means of light comprising radiation of mainly a third wavelength not equal to the first and second wavelengths as it is transported along a plurality of light paths through the turbid medium, calculating an intensity value for the volume element and a significance value is assigned to the volume element in dependence on the value of the first parameter and on a value of a second parameter.

2. The method set forth in claim 1 , wherein the first parameter represents a quantity of blood in a volume in the turbid medium that corresponds to the volume element,

and that the second parameter represents a deoxygenation ratio of blood in a volume in the turbid medium that corresponds to the volume element.

3. The method set forth in claim 1 , wherein the values of the first and second parameters define a parameter space, the volume elements are assigned a position in the parameter space in dependence on the values assigned to the first and second parameters for the relevant volume element, and the significance value assigned to a volume element is determined by the position of the volume element in the parameter space.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the parameter space is subdivided into at least a first sub-space and a second sub-space, the volume elements are assigned a first significance value when they occupy a position in the first sub-space, and a second significance value when they occupy a position in the second sub-space.