Endoscopic OCT probe capable of continuously adjusting focal length in real time

Abstract

The invention provides an endoscopic OCT probe capable of continuously adjusting the focal length in real time. The endoscopic OCT probe comprises an imaging module, a moving module and a driving module. The driving module comprises a rotating motor, two translation modules arranged in parallel, a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece, the rotating motor is installed in one translation module, and the first connecting piece is connected with the rotating motor; the second connecting piece is connected with the other translation module; the moving module comprises a coaxial cylinder, a bearing, an optical fiber and an elastic component, the coaxial cylinder is formed by coaxially sleeving a plurality of tube bodies with different diameters, the bearing is sleeved in the coaxial cylinder, the optical fiber is sleeved in the bearing, and the moving module is connected with the first connecting piece through the elastic component; the bearing is connected with the second connecting piece through a third connecting piece; the imaging module is mounted at the front end of the optical fiber; the rotating motor drives the first connecting piece to rotate to drive the optical fiber to rotate, and one translation module drives the second connecting piece to move, so that the distance between the optical fiber and the imaging module is adjusted to adjust the focal length.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical fields of optical imaging and endoscope, and in particular to an endoscopic OCT probe with continuous and real-time adjustable focal length. Background Art

[0002] Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution imaging technology that is widely used in medical diagnosis, especially in the early detection and monitoring of gastrointestinal diseases. In the prior art, the focal length of OCT imaging probes is usually fixed, which limits its imaging accuracy and flexibility in different gastrointestinal tissue layers. Especially when detecting gastrointestinal tumors, inflammation and other lesions, fixed-focal-length OCT probes are difficult to meet the imaging requirements of different depths and structures.

[0003] Therefore, it is an urgent problem to develop an endoscopic OCT imaging probe with a simple structure and real-time focal length adjustment to improve the detection accuracy and flexibility of gastrointestinal diseases. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focal length, which can adjust the focal length in real time according to the detection requirements of different gastrointestinal diseases, thereby improving imaging accuracy and diagnostic efficiency.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focal length, comprising an imaging module, a moving module, and a driving module;

[0006] The driving module comprises a rotating motor, two parallel translation modules, a first connecting member and a second connecting member, wherein the first connecting member is connected to one of the translation modules, and the rotating motor is installed on one of the translation modules through the first connecting member; and the second connecting member is connected to the other translation module;

[0007] The mobile module includes a coaxial cylinder, a bearing, an optical fiber, and an elastic component. The coaxial cylinder is formed by a plurality of tubes of different diameters being coaxially sleeved. The bearing is sleeved into the coaxial cylinder. The optical fiber is sleeved into the bearing and connected to the rotating motor. The bearing is connected to the second connecting member through a third connecting member. The imaging module is installed at the front end of the optical fiber.

[0008] The rotary motor drives the optical fiber to rotate, and one of the translation modules drives the second connecting member to move, thereby adjusting the distance between the optical fiber and the imaging module to adjust the focal length.

[0009] In some embodiments, the coaxial cylinder includes a first tube body, a second tube body, and a third tube body, the second tube body is embedded in the first tube body, the third tube body is embedded in the second tube body, the third tube body is sleeved into the bearing, and the optical fiber is sleeved into the third tube body.

[0010] In some embodiments, the length of the second tube is smaller than that of the first tube, so that a plug-in space is formed at the front and rear ends of the coaxial cylinder.

[0011] In some embodiments, an insulating sleeve is sleeved around the outer periphery of the optical fiber, the insulating sleeve is inserted into the insertion space at the front end of the coaxial cylinder, and the third tube body is sleeved between the insulating sleeve and the optical fiber.

[0012] In some embodiments, the driver drives the first connecting member and the second connecting member to move forward and backward along a translation track.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second connecting member extends forward to form an extension portion connected to the third connecting member.

[0014] In some of the embodiments, the rotary motor is mounted on a sliding plate of one of the translation rails, and the sliding plate of another translation rail is connected to the second connecting member.

[0015] In some embodiments, the imaging module includes a sheath, a lens, and a reflector. The lens is installed inside the sheath. The sheath is provided with an opening at the front end of the lens, and the reflector is installed at the opening.

[0016] In some of the embodiments, the reflector has an angle with the optical path.

[0017] In some of the embodiments, the distance between the optical fiber and the imaging module can be adjusted within a range of 0-1.5 mm.

[0018] In some embodiments, the moving module further includes a spring, a rear end of which is inserted into the insertion space at the front end of the coaxial cylinder and connected to the front end of the second tube.

[0019] The present invention sets a driving module, a moving module, and an imaging module. The translation module in the driving module is connected to the bearing of the moving module, so that the moving module is driven to move by the translation module to adjust the distance between the optical fiber and the imaging module, thereby adjusting the focal length; the translation module is adjusted simultaneously to realize the advancement and retreat of the probe, thereby locating the imaging position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focal length according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an imaging module;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the rear end portion of the mobile module;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a sectional view of the front end portion of the mobile module;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a top view of the drive module.

[0025] Figure numerals: 1. lens; 2. reflector; 3. sheath; 4. coaxial cylinder; 5. bearing; 6. optical fiber; 7. spring; 8. rotating motor; 9. translation track; 10. first connecting member; 11. second connecting member; 12. third connecting member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention; it is obvious that the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments, and all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "top / bottom" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific position, be constructed and operated in a specific position, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly stipulated and limited, the terms "installed", "provided with", "installed / connected", "connected", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a wall-mounted connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. It can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. It can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. It can be the internal connection of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0029] Reference Figure 1-Figure 5 ,This embodiment provides an endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focal length, including an imaging module, a moving module, and a driving module;

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the imaging module includes a sheath 3, a lens 1, and a reflector 2. The lens 1 is installed inside the sheath 3. The sheath 3 is provided with an opening at the front end of the lens 1. The reflector 2 is installed at the opening, and the reflector 2 forms a 45° angle with the optical path. The lens 1 is used to focus the light beam, and the reflector 2 is used to accurately direct the light to the target tissue. The main purpose of this module is to focus the emitted light beam on the gastrointestinal tissue, so as to obtain a high-resolution image.

[0031] like Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the mobile module includes a coaxial cylinder 4, a precision bearing 5, an optical fiber 6, and a spring 7. The coaxial cylinder 4 is formed by coaxially sleeved multiple tubes of different diameters. The precision bearing 5 is sleeved into the coaxial cylinder 4, and the optical fiber 6 is sleeved into the precision bearing 5.

[0032] Specifically, the coaxial cylinder 4 includes a first tube body, a second tube body, and a third tube body. The second tube body is embedded in the first tube body, the third tube body is embedded in the second tube body, the third tube body is inserted into the precision bearing 5, and the optical fiber 6 is inserted into the third tube body. The length of the second tube body is smaller than that of the first tube body, so that the front and rear ends of the coaxial cylinder 4 form a plug-in space. An insulating sleeve is sleeved on the outer periphery of the optical fiber 6, and the insulating sleeve is inserted into the plug-in space at the front end of the coaxial cylinder 4, and the third tube body is inserted between the insulating sleeve and the optical fiber 6, so that the interface of the optical fiber 6 is fixed to the coaxial cylinder 4. The rear end of the spring 7 is inserted into the plug-in space at the front end of the coaxial cylinder 4 and connected to the front end of the second tube body.

[0033] like Figure 5 As shown, the driving module includes a rotating motor 8, two parallel translation modules, a first connecting member 10 and a second connecting member 11; the translation module includes a driver cylinder and a translation track 9, the first connecting member is connected to one of the translation tracks, the rotating motor is installed on one of the translation modules through the first connecting member; the other translation track 9 is connected to the second connecting member 11. The cylinder drives the first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 11 to move forward and backward along the translation track 9.

[0034] The optical fiber 6 is connected to the rotating motor 8. The precision bearing 5 is connected to the forward extending portion of the second connecting member 11 through the third connecting member 12; and the imaging module is installed at the front end of the optical fiber 6.

[0035] The specific working mode of the endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focus in this embodiment is as follows:

[0036] The rotating motor 8 drives the optical fiber 6 to rotate, and the optical fiber 6 and the imaging module composed of the probe rotating motor 8 rotate at high speed driven by the rotating motor 8 to scan and image. The second connecting member 11 is driven by the cylinder to move along the translation track 9 to fine-tune the distance between the optical fiber 6 and the imaging module to adjust the focal length. In this embodiment, the distance between the optical fiber 6 and the lens 1 can be flexibly adjusted within the range of 0 mm to 1.5 mm, and the focal length varies from 1.5 mm to 8 mm. By dynamically adjusting the focal length, the probe can achieve rapid focusing between different tissue depths and provide high-definition images of different diseased tissues. At the same time, the two translation modules can be adjusted at the same time so that the first connecting member 10 and the second connecting member 11 move simultaneously to achieve the forward and backward movement of the probe.

[0037] In clinical trial applications, the probe was used to detect multiple gastrointestinal cases. From superficial inflammation and ulcers to deep tumors, the probe of this embodiment can flexibly adjust the distance between the optical fiber 6 and the lens 1 from 0mm to 1.5mm through the adjustment of the driving module, and the focal length varies from 1.5mm to 8mm. By dynamically adjusting the focal length, the probe can achieve rapid focusing between different tissue depths and provide high-definition images of different diseased tissues. In some cases, the early morphological characteristics of gastrointestinal tumors can be captured by adjusting to the appropriate focal length position.

[0038] The coaxial cylinder 4 structure of this embodiment cleverly integrates multiple stainless steel tubes, each of which has a different diameter. Through the reasonable arrangement and combination of such stainless steel tubes, the stability and flexibility of the multi-layer structure are achieved. These stainless steel tubes are precision-processed to ensure the accuracy and smoothness of their coaxial arrangement. This coaxial configuration not only provides a strong load-bearing capacity, but also provides a stable and safe channel for other components of the system, such as optical fiber 6.

[0039] In order to further improve the mechanical performance of the system, precision bearings 5 ​​are specially designed and cleverly installed in the structure of the coaxial cylinder 4. Their main function is to reduce friction, so that the optical fiber 6 can achieve smooth and precise rotation and movement of the components in the system. The high-precision precision bearing 5 selection and its layout in the system take into account the different dynamic loads when the mobile module is in operation, ensuring the uninterrupted and low-loss transmission of the optical fiber 6, and also reducing vibration and noise.

[0040] The necessary elasticity and torque are provided by the adjustable spring 7 to maintain the response speed and stability of the system, which not only helps to absorb and release the energy inside the system and reduce the impact of external vibrations, but also ensures that the optical fiber 6 always remains taut under various operating conditions, making the response speed faster.

[0041] Through the collaborative work of the above modules, the OCT probe of this embodiment can achieve real-time focus adjustment during endoscopic examination, greatly improving the imaging capability of gastrointestinal diseases, providing clearer and more detailed images, and helping doctors diagnose and treat patients more accurately. At the same time, the OCT probe of this embodiment has a simple structure, low cost, is easy to use in clinical applications, and has good adaptability and flexibility.

[0042] The above is only a preferred specific implementation of the present invention, but the design concept of the present invention is not limited to this. Any technician familiar with the technical field who uses this concept to make non-substantial changes to the present invention within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention shall be deemed to infringe the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focal length, characterized in that: It includes an imaging module, a moving module and a driving module; The driving module comprises a rotating motor, two parallel translation modules, a first connecting member and a second connecting member, wherein the first connecting member is connected to one of the translation modules, and the rotating motor is installed on one of the translation modules through the first connecting member; and the second connecting member is connected to the other translation module; The mobile module includes a coaxial cylinder, a bearing, an optical fiber, and an elastic component. The coaxial cylinder is formed by a plurality of tubes of different diameters being coaxially sleeved. The bearing is sleeved into the coaxial cylinder. The optical fiber is sleeved into the bearing and connected to the rotating motor. The bearing is connected to the second connecting member through a third connecting member. The imaging module is installed at the front end of the optical fiber. The rotary motor drives the optical fiber to rotate, and one of the translation modules drives the second connecting member to move, thereby adjusting the distance between the optical fiber and the imaging module to adjust the focal length.

2. The endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coaxial cylinder comprises a first tube body, a second tube body and a third tube body, wherein the second tube body is embedded in the first tube body, the third tube body is embedded in the second tube body, the third tube body is sleeved into the bearing, and the optical fiber is sleeved into the third tube body.

3. The endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The length of the second tube body is smaller than that of the first tube body, so that a plug-in space is formed at the front and rear ends of the coaxial cylinder.

4. The endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focus according to claim 3, characterized in that: An insulating sleeve is sleeved on the outer periphery of the optical fiber, the insulating sleeve is inserted into the plug-in space at the front end of the coaxial cylinder, and the third tube body is sleeved between the insulating sleeve and the optical fiber.

5. The endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The translation module includes a driver and a translation track, and the driver drives the first connecting member and the second connecting member to move forward and backward along the translation track.

6. The endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focus according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second connecting member extends forward to form an extending portion connected to the third connecting member.

7. The endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The imaging module comprises a protective sleeve, a lens and a reflector. The lens is installed inside the protective sleeve. The protective sleeve is provided with an opening at the front end of the lens, and the reflector is installed at the opening.

8. The endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focus according to claim 7, characterized in that: An included angle is formed between the reflector and the optical path.

9. The endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the optical fiber and the imaging module can be adjusted within a range of 0-1.5 mm.

10. The endoscopic OCT probe with continuous real-time adjustable focus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The moving module further comprises a spring, the rear end of which is inserted into the insertion space at the front end of the coaxial cylinder and connected to the front end of the second tube.

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