SPECT-based Sensing and Monitoring Systems for Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Food Safety

The inventive concept applies the core technology of the original patent to novel applications in agriculture, aquaculture, and food safety, enabling advanced sensing and monitoring capabilities for crop health, pest detection, soil moisture tracking, water quality monitoring, and contaminant detection in food products.

The original patent disclosed a SPECT system with a collimator having multi-pinholes equipped with filters, primarily for medical imaging applications. However, the limitations of traditional sensing and monitoring methods in agriculture, aquaculture, and food safety necessitate innovative solutions. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by adapting the SPECT technology to provide high-resolution, spectral imaging capabilities for these industries.

The inventive concept comprises a SPECT system with a collimator having at least two sets of pinholes, equipped with filters for capturing spectral images of various targets, such as crops, soil, water bodies, and food products. The system enables the detection of crop stress and nutrient deficiencies, pests in agricultural fields, soil moisture levels, water quality in aquaculture, and contaminants in food products. The multi-pinhole collimator allows for overlapping projections of the target, providing high-resolution images and enhancing the accuracy of the sensing and monitoring capabilities.

The new inventive concept's novelty lies in its application of the SPECT technology to novel industries, specifically agriculture, aquaculture, and food safety. The inventive step resides in the adaptation of the collimator's pinhole pattern and filter configuration to accommodate the specific requirements of these industries, enabling the detection of various parameters and contaminants.

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include variations in the collimator's design, such as using different pinhole patterns, filter configurations, or detector arrangements. Additionally, the system could be integrated with other sensing technologies, such as machine learning algorithms or IoT devices, to enhance its capabilities and provide more comprehensive monitoring solutions.

The inventive concept has significant commercial potential in the agriculture, aquaculture, and food safety industries, where accurate and efficient sensing and monitoring capabilities are crucial. The system could be marketed as a standalone solution or integrated into existing monitoring systems, providing a competitive advantage in these industries.