3D MEMS scanner for real-time cross-sectional endomicroscopy

Abstract

An optical probe scanning assembly for use in an optical probe includes a mirror assembly that focuses an illumination beam path and a collection beam path at a region of interest within the sample. The illumination beam and the collection beam overlap to form a confocal beam region. The mirror assembly is movable in an x-axis direction and in a y-axis direction to scan the confocal beam region within the sample. The scanning assembly further includes a scanning suspension system including a gimbal assembly connected to the mirror assembly to allow the mirror assembly to rotate about one or more axes. The mirror is thereby adapted to scan along at least two different orthogonal planes, one of which extends vertically into the sample.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 264,645, filed December 8, 2015, entitled "3D MEMS Scanner for Real-Time Cross-Sectional Endomicroscopy," the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference middle. [0003] Statement of Government Interest [0004] This invention was made with government support under CA142750 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in this invention. technical field [0005] The present disclosure relates generally to techniques for imaging tissue using optical instruments, and more particularly, to techniques for allowing real-time scanning using optical instruments. Background technique [0006] The brief description of the related art provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors, to the extent that they ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although some designs can provide sufficient lateral in vivo scanning, but the design has limitations in the ability to scan with large out-of-plane displacements

Actuators based on shape memory alloys (nitinol) were used, for example, in the first generation of confocal endoscopes to provide large axial displacements (>250 µm), but these devices were slow and suffered from hysteresis phenomenon (hysteresis)

Other MEMS-based electrostatic scanners have been developed that have fast response times at low voltages, but sufficient Z-axis motion has not yet been achieved

Electrothermal devices can provide large axial displacements (>600 µm) at low voltages (~5 V), but the response time is in vivo too slow for imaging

Piezo scanners can achieve large DC displacements, but 3D fast-axis scanning frequency is limited and manufacturing complexity is high

Electromagnetic scanners have been developed with fast response times and good displacements, but the technology is difficult to scale down in size for most endoscopy applications

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