Probe device and probe system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of medical imaging, and discloses a probe device and a probe system.The probe device comprises a quartered piezoelectric ceramic tube and a light emitting unit, a first port of the quartered piezoelectric ceramic tube is used for being connected with a light source, and the quartered piezoelectric ceramic tube is used for adjusting light beams of the light source to conduct scanning in at least two directions; the light emitting unit is connected with the second port of the quartered piezoelectric ceramic tube, and the light emitting unit is used for transmitting the light beam to an object to be imaged. According to the probe device, the quartered piezoelectric ceramic tube is arranged, voltage is applied to the quartered piezoelectric ceramic tube, and the direct piezoelectric effect and the inverse piezoelectric effect of the quartered piezoelectric ceramic tube can be utilized to drive the light beam to scan at least in two directions, so that the diversity of the scanning direction of the probe device is improved; therefore, the technical effect of improving the imaging accuracy is achieved. Compared with a driving mode in the prior art, the quartered piezoelectric ceramic tube has the characteristics of simple and small structure, and the technical effect of improving the structural simplicity of the probe device can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical imaging, and in particular to a probe device and a probe system. Background Art

[0002] As we all know, ophthalmic endoscopic imaging is an optical imaging technology that can bypass the turbid media in the eye (such as residual materials after cataract surgery) to directly image the fundus structure, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the accuracy of the formed image. Among them, this technology combines the advantages of the flexibility of endoscopic probes and the non-invasiveness of optical imaging.

[0003] Optical coherence tomography can provide high-resolution cross-sectional imaging, so it is one of the research directions of ophthalmic endoscopic imaging. The scanning probe in the optical coherence tomography device includes:

[0004] light source;

[0005] The driving structure is arranged on the transmission optical path of the light source and is used to control and drive the accuracy of the light source transmission path to achieve image acquisition in the eye.

[0006] There are two main types of existing drive structures. The first is MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) drive. This type of drive technology is mature, but the cost of the drive technology system is high and the structure is complex, which is not conducive to the miniaturization design of optical coherence tomography devices. The second is micro-motor drive. This method has a compact structure, but this method is lateral scanning, which has limitations in scanning the macular area of ​​the eye, especially for glaucoma patients with peripheral visual field damage. Lateral scanning cannot provide sufficient scanning direction to evaluate the condition.

[0007] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an optical coherence tomography device probe that has a compact structure and can provide multi-directional scanning. Summary of the invention

[0008] In view of this, the present invention provides a probe device and a probe system to solve the problem that existing scanning probes are either complex in structure or have a single scanning direction, and lack a scanning probe that is both simple in structure and capable of multi-directional scanning.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a probe device, comprising:

[0010] A four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube, wherein a first port of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube is used to be connected to a light source, and the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube is used to adjust the light beam of the light source to scan in at least two directions;

[0011] A light emitting unit is connected to the second port of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube, and the light emitting unit is used to transmit the light beam to the object to be imaged.

[0012] Beneficial effect: By setting up a four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube and applying voltage to the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube, the positive piezoelectric effect and the inverse piezoelectric effect of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube can be used to drive the light beam to scan in at least two directions, thereby improving the diversity of the scanning direction of the probe device, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the accuracy of imaging. At the same time, compared with the driving method in the related art, the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube has the characteristics of simple structure and compact structure, which can achieve the technical effect of improving the simplicity of the structure of the probe device.

[0013] In an optional implementation, the light output unit includes:

[0014] A transmission unit, one end of which is connected to the second port of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube;

[0015] A reflection unit is arranged at one end of the transmission unit away from the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube, and the reflection unit is connected to the other end of the transmission unit, and is used to change the transmission path of the light beam and transmit the light beam to the object to be imaged.

[0016] Beneficial effect: The light beam can be transmitted to the reflection unit through the transmission unit, and the light beam is reflected to the side of the light emitting unit through the reflection unit, so as to scan the object to be imaged through the side of the light emitting unit.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, the reflectivity of the reflection unit is not less than 90%;

[0018] And / or, the reflective surface of the reflective unit is coated with a metal aluminum film or a metal chromium film.

[0019] And / or, the transmission unit is an optical fiber.

[0020] Beneficial effect: By increasing the reflectivity of the reflection unit, the transmittance of the light in the light beam can be reduced, so that most of the light in the light beam is reflected by the reflection unit to the surface of the object to be imaged, so as to image the object to be imaged, and the density of the light beam transmitted to the surface of the object to be imaged is increased, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the accuracy of imaging. By coating the reflection surface of the reflection unit with a metal aluminum film or a metal chromium film, the technical effect of improving the convenience of increasing the reflectivity of the reflection unit can be achieved. The light beam can be transmitted to the reflection unit through the transmission unit, and the light beam can be reflected to the side of the light emitting unit through the reflection unit, so as to facilitate scanning the object to be imaged through the side of the light emitting unit.

[0021] In an optional implementation, the light output unit includes:

[0022] A focusing unit is disposed on a reflection path of the reflection unit away from the transmission unit and is used for focusing the light beam.

[0023] Beneficial effect: By setting a focusing unit, the light beam can be focused on the object to be imaged, avoiding the light beam being transmitted outside the object to be imaged and causing waste of the light beam. Based on this, the density of light in the light beam can be increased, so that the object to be imaged can be scanned finely, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the accuracy of the light beam scanning the object to be imaged.

[0024] In an optional embodiment, the focusing unit is a gradient refractive index lens.

[0025] Beneficial effect: The gradient refractive index lens can directly focus the light beam onto its own end face, while other focusing units, such as ordinary lenses, require multiple lenses to achieve the focusing effect. Therefore, the gradient refractive index lens can achieve the technical effect of improving the simplicity of the probe device structure.

[0026] In an optional embodiment, the probe device includes a shell having a housing cavity, wherein the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube is disposed inside the housing cavity for protecting the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube.

[0027] Beneficial effect: By providing a shell and arranging the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube in the accommodating cavity of the shell, the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube can be prevented from being damaged, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the protection of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube.

[0028] In an optional embodiment, the probe device comprises:

[0029] A base, to which the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube is fixedly connected, and a connecting structure is provided on the base, and the connecting structure is used to connect with the light beam of the light source;

[0030] And / or, the probe device comprises:

[0031] A probe structure is connected to the light emitting unit. The probe structure is arranged on the light emitting path of the light emitting unit and is used to transmit the light beam to the surface of the object to be imaged.

[0032] Beneficial effects: The position of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube can be fixed by the base, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the stability of the position of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube. The probe structure can facilitate the knowledge of the light beam's light output position, facilitate the positioning of the probe device, and enable the probe structure to correspond to the position of the object to be imaged, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the ease of use of the probe device.

[0033] In an optional implementation, the connecting structure is an optical fiber flange interface.

[0034] Beneficial effect: The light beam is connected to the light source through the optical fiber flange interface. At this time, the light beam of the light source is transmitted through the second optical fiber, and one end of the second optical fiber is provided with a connector that cooperates with the optical fiber flange interface. The transmission of the light beam is achieved through the insertion and fixation between the optical fiber flange interface and the connector. Based on this, the stability of the connection between the optical fiber flange interface and the connector can achieve the technical effect of improving the stability of the light beam transmission.

[0035] In an optional implementation, the probe structure is detachably connected to the light output unit.

[0036] Beneficial effect: By limiting the detachable connection between the probe structure and the light output unit, the probe structure can be adjusted and replaced as needed.

[0037] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides a probe system, comprising:

[0038] The probe device described above;

[0039] A light emitting device, used for emitting a light beam of the light source;

[0040] An imaging device is connected to the first port of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube, and is used for collecting and imaging the light beam scattered back from the object to be imaged to the probe device.

[0041] Beneficial effect: Since the probe system includes the probe device, it has the same effect as the probe device, which will not be described in detail here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0043] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic structural diagram of a probe device of the present invention.

[0044] Description of reference numerals:

[0045] 1. Imaging device; 2. Four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube;

[0046] 3. Light emitting unit; 301. Reflection unit; 302. Transmission unit; 303. Focusing unit;

[0047] 4. Base; 5. Probe structure; 6. Shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution 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. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0049] Combine the following Figure 1 With reference to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, a probe device is provided, comprising:

[0051] A four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2, wherein a first port of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 is used to be connected to a light source, and the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 is used to adjust the light beam of the light source to scan in at least two directions;

[0052] The light emitting unit 3 is connected to the second port of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 and is used to transmit the light beam to the object to be imaged.

[0053] In this embodiment, the object to be imaged is the fundus. Of course, in other embodiments, the type of the object to be imaged can be adjusted according to the difference of the object to be imaged.

[0054] In the probe device of this embodiment, by setting a four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 and applying a voltage to the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2, the positive piezoelectric effect and the inverse piezoelectric effect of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 can be used to drive the light beam to scan in at least two directions, thereby improving the diversity of the scanning direction of the probe device, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the accuracy of imaging. At the same time, compared with the driving method in the related art, the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 has the characteristics of simple structure and compact structure, which can achieve the technical effect of improving the simplicity of the structure of the probe device.

[0055] Combination Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the light output unit 3 includes:

[0056] The transmission unit 302 has one end connected to the second port of the quartered piezoelectric ceramic tube 2;

[0057] The reflection unit 301 is disposed at one end of the transmission unit 302 away from the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2. The reflection unit 301 is connected to the other end of the transmission unit 302 to change the transmission path of the light beam and transmit the light beam to the object to be imaged.

[0058] The light beam can be transmitted to the reflection unit 301 through the transmission unit 302 , and reflected to the side of the light emitting unit 3 through the reflection unit 301 , so as to scan the object to be imaged through the side of the light emitting unit 3 .

[0059] The transmission unit 302 is an optical fiber, and the reflection unit 301 is a reflector. In other embodiments, the transmission unit 302 may also be a light guide arm. Compared with other embodiments, the optical fiber is used as the transmission unit 302 in this embodiment, which can achieve the technical effect of improving the transmission efficiency and stability of the light beam.

[0060] Of course, in other embodiments, the type of the reflection unit 301 may be adjusted according to different designs of the probe device.

[0061] As a convertible implementation, it is also possible that the reflection unit 301 is not provided, and the light beam is directly transmitted to the outside of the light output unit 3 in a straight transmission path through the transmission unit 302, that is, the light beam is transmitted along the straight transmission path. Figure 1 Transmission to the right as shown.

[0062] Preferably, in this embodiment, the reflectivity of the reflection unit 301 is not less than 90%, preferably not less than 99.9%. Specifically, a metal aluminum film can be coated on the reflection surface of the reflection unit 301 to achieve the technical effect of improving the reflectivity of the reflection unit 301. Based on this, the transmittance of the light in the light beam can be reduced, so that most of the light in the light beam can be reflected to the surface of the object to be imaged through the reflection unit 301 to image the object to be imaged, and the density of the light beam transmitted to the surface of the object to be imaged is increased, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the accuracy of imaging.

[0063] Of course, in other embodiments, according to different designs of the probe device, the specific value of the reflectivity of the reflection unit 301 can be adjusted. At the same time, the reflection surface of the reflection unit 301 can be coated with a metal chromium film to achieve the technical effect of improving the reflectivity.

[0064] In other embodiments, the manner of increasing the reflectivity of the reflection unit 301 may be adjusted according to different designs of the probe device.

[0065] In other embodiments, only the reflectivity of the reflection unit 301 may be not less than 90%, or only the reflection surface of the reflection unit 301 may be coated with a metal aluminum film, or only the transmission unit 302 may be configured as an optical fiber.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, the light emitting unit 3 includes:

[0067] The focusing unit 303 is disposed on a reflection path of the reflection unit 301 away from the transmission unit 302 and is used for focusing the light beam.

[0068] By setting the focusing unit 303, the light beam can be focused on the object to be imaged, avoiding the light beam being transmitted outside the object to be imaged and causing waste of the light beam. Based on this, the focusing unit 303 can increase the density of the light in the light beam, so that the object to be imaged can be scanned finely, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the accuracy of the light beam scanning the object to be imaged.

[0069] Among them, in this embodiment, the focusing unit 303 is a gradient refractive index lens. Of course, in other embodiments, the type of the focusing unit 303 can be adjusted according to the design of the probe device. For example, the focusing unit 303 can be an ordinary lens, and in this case, multiple ordinary lenses are required to achieve the focusing effect. Compared with other embodiments, this embodiment can focus the light beam through a gradient refractive index lens, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the simplicity of the probe device structure.

[0070] Of course, in other embodiments, the focusing unit 303 may not be provided.

[0071] In addition, in this embodiment, the probe device includes a housing 6, which is provided with a housing cavity, and a quarter-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 is provided inside the housing cavity for protecting the quarter-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2. Based on this, the quarter-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 can be prevented from being damaged, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the protection of the quarter-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2.

[0072] Of course, in other embodiments, the housing 6 may not be provided.

[0073] In addition, in this embodiment, the probe device includes:

[0074] The base 4 is fixedly connected to the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 and is provided with a connecting structure for connecting with the light beam of the light source.

[0075] The position of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 can be fixed by the base 4 , thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the stability of the position of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 .

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting structure is an optical fiber flange interface.

[0077] Of course, in other embodiments, the connecting structure can be the first optical fiber, in which case the light beam of the light source is transmitted through the second optical fiber, and the light beam of the light source is transmitted to the surface of the object to be imaged through the connection between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber. Compared with other embodiments, this embodiment is connected to the light beam of the light source through the optical fiber flange interface, in which case the light beam of the light source is transmitted through the second optical fiber, and one end of the second optical fiber is provided with a connector that matches the optical fiber flange interface, and the transmission of the light beam is achieved through the insertion and fixation between the optical fiber flange interface and the connector. Based on this, the stability of the connection between the optical fiber flange interface and the connector can achieve the technical effect of improving the stability of the light beam transmission.

[0078] In other embodiments, depending on the design of the probe device, only the base 4 or only the probe structure 5 may be provided.

[0079] In addition, the light output unit 3 includes a protective shell, a cavity is provided in the protective shell, the reflection unit 301 and the focusing unit 303 are both provided in the cavity, and the reflection unit 301 and the focusing unit 303 are protected by the protective shell.

[0080] As a convertible embodiment, it is also possible that no protective shell is provided.

[0081] The probe device in this embodiment includes:

[0082] The probe structure 5 is connected to the light emitting unit 3. The probe structure 5 is arranged on the light emitting path of the light emitting unit 3 and is used to transmit the light beam to the surface of the object to be imaged. The probe structure 5 can be used to easily know the light emitting position of the light beam, and to easily locate the placement position of the probe device, so that the probe structure 5 can correspond to the position of the object to be imaged, thereby achieving a technical effect of improving the ease of use of the probe device.

[0083] The probe structure 5 is provided with a cavity to facilitate the transmission of the light beam to the surface of the object to be imaged.

[0084] Specifically, the probe structure 5 is detachably connected to the light output unit 3, and the probe structure 5 can be adjusted and replaced as needed.

[0085] Among them, the surface of the probe structure 5 is provided with a thread, and the protective shell of the light output unit 3 is provided with a threaded hole. The probe structure 5 is threadedly connected to the protective shell to achieve a detachable connection between the probe structure 5 and the protective shell. Of course, in other embodiments, the probe structure 5 can be detachably connected to the protective shell by a snap. Compared with other embodiments, the detachable connection between the probe structure 5 and the protective shell is achieved through a threaded connection in this embodiment, without the need to set up other additional structures, and can achieve the technical effect of improving the simplicity of the detachable connection between the probe structure 5 and the protective shell.

[0086] According to an embodiment of the present invention, on the other hand, a probe system is provided, including:

[0087] The probe device of this embodiment;

[0088] A light emitting device for emitting a light beam of a light source;

[0089] The imaging device 1 is connected to the first port of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2, and is used for collecting and imaging the light beam scattered back from the probe device by the object to be imaged.

[0090] In the probe system of this embodiment, by setting a four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 in the probe device and applying voltage to the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2, the positive piezoelectric effect and the inverse piezoelectric effect of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 can be used to drive the light beam to scan in at least two directions, thereby improving the diversity of the scanning direction of the probe system, thereby achieving the technical effect of improving the accuracy of imaging. At the same time, compared with the driving method in the related art, the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube 2 has the characteristics of simple structure and compact structure, which can achieve the technical effect of improving the simplicity of the probe system structure.

[0091] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A probe device, characterized in that: include: A four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube (2), wherein a first port of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube (2) is used to be connected to a light source, and the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube (2) is used to adjust the light beam of the light source to scan in at least two directions; A light emitting unit (3) is connected to the second port of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube (2), and the light emitting unit (3) is used to transmit the light beam to the object to be imaged.

2. The probe device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light output unit (3) comprises: A transmission unit (302), one end of which is connected to the second port of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube (2); A reflection unit (301) is arranged at one end of the transmission unit (302) away from the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube (2), and the reflection unit (301) is connected to the other end of the transmission unit (302) and is used to change the transmission path of the light beam and transmit the light beam to the object to be imaged.

3. The probe device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reflectivity of the reflection unit (301) is not less than 90%; And / or, the reflective surface of the reflective unit (301) is coated with a metal aluminum film or a metal chromium film; And / or, the transmission unit (302) is an optical fiber.

4. The probe device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light output unit (3) comprises: A focusing unit (303) is provided on a reflection path of the reflection unit (301) away from the transmission unit (302) and is used for focusing the light beam.

5. The probe device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The focusing unit (303) is a gradient refractive index lens.

6. The probe device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The probe device comprises a shell (6) provided with a containing cavity, wherein the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube (2) is arranged inside the containing cavity for protecting the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube (2).

7. The probe device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The probe device comprises: A base (4), the base (4) being fixedly connected to the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube (2), the base (4) being provided with a connecting structure, the connecting structure being used to connect with the light beam of the light source; And / or, the probe device comprises: A probe structure (5) is connected to the light emitting unit (3); the probe structure (5) is arranged on the light emitting path of the light emitting unit (3) and is used to transmit the light beam to the surface of the object to be imaged.

8. The probe device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connecting structure is an optical fiber flange interface.

9. The probe device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The probe structure (5) is detachably connected to the light output unit (3).

10. A probe system, characterized in that: include: The probe device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; A light emitting device, used for emitting a light beam of the light source; An imaging device (1) is connected to the first port of the four-part piezoelectric ceramic tube (2), and the imaging device (1) is used to collect and image the light beam scattered back from the object to be imaged to the probe device.

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