Pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optical genetic probe and preparation method of pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device

Abstract

The invention discloses a pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for a polymer waveguide integrated optical genetic probe and a preparation method of the pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device. The pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device comprises a packaging tray, a probe placement flat plate, an optical fiber sleeve, an optical fiber insertion tube, an optical fiber insertion needle and the polymer waveguide probe. The packaging tray is provided with a through optical fiber pin guide groove, one end of the probe placing flat plate is fixed in the optical fiber pin guide groove, and the other end extends out of the packaging tray; the polymer waveguide probe is fixedly connected to the probe placement flat plate, the optical fiber pin is located in the optical fiber pin guide groove, one end of the optical fiber pin is coupled and aligned with the polymer waveguide probe, and the other end of the optical fiber pin is embedded into the center of the optical fiber cannula; the other end of the optical fiber insertion tube extends out of the optical fiber insertion pin guide groove and is detachably connected with the optical fiber sleeve; and the optical fiber pin and the optical fiber intubation tube are fixedly supported in the optical fiber pin guide groove through cured UV glue and are encapsulated by black thermocuring glue. According to the invention, the coupling efficiency is high, the mechanical stability is strong, and the probability of probe breakage and package damage can be effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packaging of flexible optogenetic probes, and in particular to a pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probes and a preparation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Flexible optogenetic probes have garnered widespread attention in recent years due to their advantages in reducing tissue inflammation and extending probe lifespan. Polymer materials, due to their inherent flexibility and excellent processing properties, have become the primary materials for the preparation of flexible optogenetic probes and have found initial application in fields such as neuromodulation.

[0003] In practical applications, polymer waveguide-type flexible optogenetic probes usually require an external coupling optical fiber to introduce visible light of a specific wavelength from a light source into the probe to achieve optical signal transmission to the targeted brain area. Currently, the common fiber packaging methods include the following two methods:

[0004] First, U-shaped or V-shaped grooves are constructed on a rigid substrate to position the optical fiber and facilitate adhesive encapsulation. While this method achieves basic encapsulation, it requires additional on-chip structures, resulting in a complex and cumbersome manufacturing process. The added processing steps may also damage the optical device, increasing manufacturing cost and time.

[0005] Second, 3D printing technology is used to create a U-shaped groove structure outside the chip to encapsulate the optical fiber. This method can be designed and manufactured simultaneously with the flexible probe, offering advantages such as short processing cycles, customizable structures, light weight, and high strength, making it particularly suitable for in vivo animal experiments.

[0006] However, both of the above packaging methods require that biological experiments be conducted with the optical fiber permanently connected. From the completion of the implantation surgery to the start of the experiment, the animal's head needs to be continuously connected to the optical fiber, which not only restricts its freedom of movement, but also causes traction due to the animal's movement, increasing the risk of optical fiber breakage. In addition, animals in the same cage have the behavior of gnawing on the optical fiber, further affecting the reliability of the packaging. Therefore, the existing optical fiber packaging structure still has a lot of room for optimization in practical applications. There is an urgent need for a pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device that is easy to connect and disassemble, has good mechanical stability and biocompatibility, so as to improve the reliability and practicality of the overall system. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing optical fiber packaging solutions, the present invention proposes a pluggable optical fiber end-face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probes. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0008] A pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probes, comprising a packaging tray, a probe placement plate, an optical fiber sleeve, an optical fiber cannula, an optical fiber pin, and a polymer waveguide probe;

[0009] The packaging tray is provided with a through fiber optic pin guide groove, one end of the probe placement plate is fixed in the fiber optic pin guide groove, and the other end extends out of the packaging tray; a stepped high and low plane is formed between the top surface of the probe placement plate and the bottom surface of the fiber optic pin guide groove; the polymer waveguide probe is fixedly connected to the probe placement plate, and the fiber optic pin is located in the fiber optic pin guide groove, one end of the fiber optic pin and the polymer waveguide probe are displacement-coupled and aligned in three-dimensional space, and the other end is embedded in the center of the fiber optic cannula; the other end of the fiber optic cannula extends out of the fiber optic pin guide groove and is detachably connected to the fiber optic sleeve; the fiber optic pin and the fiber optic cannula are fixedly supported in the fiber optic pin guide groove by cured UV glue, and the fiber optic pin guide groove is filled with black thermosetting glue, so that the two are encapsulated in the fiber optic pin guide groove.

[0010] Furthermore, the packaging tray and the probe placement plate constitute a packaging platform and are integrally formed through 3D printing technology.

[0011] Furthermore, the packaging tray and the probe placement plate are made of polyamide, resin, ceramic, or aluminum alloy.

[0012] Furthermore, the optical fiber ferrule is made of ceramic or glass, has a length of 8-15 mm, a core diameter of 3-150 μm, an outer diameter of 1-3 mm, and a numerical aperture of 0.22-0.5 NA.

[0013] Furthermore, the optical fiber cannula extends out of the packaging tray by 2-5 mm, which facilitates the connection between the optical fiber cannula and the optical fiber sleeve;

[0014] The gap between the optical fiber cannula and the bottom and wall of the optical fiber pin guide groove is 1-3 mm, so that the optical fiber pin fixed on the optical fiber cannula has appropriate movement space when it is aligned with the polymer waveguide probe in the vertical displacement coupling.

[0015] Furthermore, the optical fiber cannula is made of ceramic.

[0016] Furthermore, the cross-sectional dimensions of the polymer coupling waveguide of the polymer waveguide probe are 2-50 μm in height and 2-400 μm in width.

[0017] Furthermore, the optical fiber sleeve is made of ceramic or polymer, and has an inner diameter of 1-3 mm and a length of 5-10 mm.

[0018] A method for preparing a pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for a polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probe, the method comprising the following steps:

[0019] Step 1: Customize a packaging platform consisting of the packaging tray and the probe placement plate by 3D printing;

[0020] Step 2: bonding the polymer waveguide probe to the probe placement plate;

[0021] Step 3: Fix the polymer waveguide probe and the packaging platform as a whole on a first six-axis displacement platform; integrate the optical fiber pin and the optical fiber cannula together, connect the optical fiber sleeve to one end of the optical fiber cannula, and then fix the three on a second six-axis displacement platform; move the second six-axis displacement platform to move the optical fiber cannula and the optical fiber pin into the optical fiber pin guide groove of the packaging tray, and ensure that the center of the optical fiber pin is vertically lower than the upper surface of the polymer coupling waveguide in the polymer waveguide probe, thereby reserving space for subsequent alignment and coupling;

[0022] Step 4: Connect one end of the optical fiber to the laser, and connect the other end to one end of the optical fiber cannula through the optical fiber sleeve. At this time, the optical fiber stub is placed in the air; under the guidance of the optical fiber stub guide groove, the second six-axis displacement platform drives the optical fiber stub to move, and end-face coupling is performed between the optical fiber stub and the polymer waveguide probe.

[0023] Step 5: When the end faces of the optical fiber pin and the polymer waveguide probe reach the optimal coupling state, that is, when the coupling efficiency is the highest, UV glue is dropped into the gap between the optical fiber pin and the polymer waveguide probe, and a UV light source is used to cure the UV glue through multiple, short-time, gradient power settings; then, the optical fiber pin guide groove is filled with UV glue and cured, so that the optical fiber pin and the packaging platform are bonded together; finally, black thermosetting glue is used to heat and encapsulate.

[0024] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0025] (1) The packaging device of the present invention secures a polymer waveguide probe to a packaging tray, couples an optical fiber stub to the polymer waveguide probe within the packaging tray, and secures and encapsulates the optical fiber stub using UV adhesive. This device enhances the high coupling efficiency and mechanical stability of the polymer waveguide-integrated optogenetic probe during use, while significantly enhancing the mechanical stability and tensile strength of the entire packaging device.

[0026] (2) The optical fiber sleeve and the optical fiber plug in the packaging device of the present invention are detachably connected. The optical fiber sleeve is only connected during the use phase. The optical fiber is connected to the optical fiber pin through the optical fiber sleeve. Compared with the traditional probe solution that requires long-term connection of the optical fiber and the risks of entanglement, wear and gnawing, the present invention effectively reduces the probability of probe breakage and package damage, extends the service life of the probe and improves the flexibility of experimental operation.

[0027] (3) The optical fiber sleeve and the optical fiber cannula in the present invention are detachably connected, which can reduce the biocompatibility problems caused by the long-term presence of the external optical fiber in animal experiments, and greatly enhance the application value of the probe system in actual neural regulation and optogenetics research.

[0028] (4) The preparation method of the present invention achieves precise positioning and alignment of the optical fiber pin and the end face of the polymer waveguide probe by customizing a packaging tray with an optical fiber pin guide groove and a probe placement plate on a 3D printing platform, and combines multiple, short-time, gradient power curing of UV glue to improve the coupling efficiency between the optical fiber and the waveguide, significantly enhancing the overall mechanical stability and tensile performance of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for a polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the optical fiber pin and the optical fiber tube in the embodiment.

[0031] Figure 3 The present invention is a flowchart of a method for preparing a pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] In the figure, 1 is a packaging tray, 2 is a probe placement plate, 3 is an optical fiber sleeve, 4 is an optical fiber insertion tube, 5 is an optical fiber pin, 6 is a polymer waveguide probe, and 101 is an optical fiber pin guide groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, and the purpose and effects of the present invention will become more apparent. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probes of this embodiment includes a packaging tray 1, a probe placement plate 2, an optical fiber sleeve 3, an optical fiber cannula 4, an optical fiber pin 5 and a polymer waveguide probe 6.

[0036] The packaging tray 1 is provided with a fiber ferrule guide slot 101 extending through it. One end of the probe placement plate 2 is fixed within the fiber ferrule guide slot 101, while the other end extends outside the packaging tray 1. A stepped surface is formed between the top surface of the probe placement plate 2 and the bottom surface of the fiber ferrule guide slot 101, with a height difference of 1 mm between the two surfaces. The packaging tray 1 and the probe placement plate 2 are integrally formed using 3D printing technology using a resin material. A polymer waveguide probe 6 is bonded to the probe placement plate 2, with waveguide cross-sectional dimensions of 50 μm in height and 200 μm in width. The ceramic fiber ferrule 5, which is aligned and coupled to the polymer waveguide probe 6, is 10 mm in length, has a core diameter of 100 μm, and a numerical aperture of 0.3 NA. The fiber ferrule 5 is positioned within the fiber ferrule guide slot 101, with one end of the fiber ferrule 5 embedded in the center of the fiber ferrule 4. The other end of the fiber ferrule 4 extends out of the fiber ferrule guide slot 101 and is removably connected to the fiber ferrule 3. The fiber optic cannula 4 is made of ceramic, has a length of 8 mm, an inner diameter of 100 μm, and an outer diameter of 1 mm. The fiber optic cannula 4 is spaced 1 mm from the inner wall of the packaging tray 1. The fiber optic cannula 4 protrudes 2 mm from the packaging tray 1. The fiber optic sleeve 3 is made of ceramic, has an inner diameter of 1 mm, and is 5 mm long.

[0037] During daily feeding or postoperative recovery, the external optical fiber and fiber ferrule 3 can be removed from the fiber ferrule 4, leaving the probe in a tiny package on the animal's head, preventing the fiber from being chewed or entangled. Only when optogenetic experiments are required is the external optical fiber connected to the fiber ferrule 4 via the fiber ferrule 3, enabling rapid coupling and transmission of optical signals. This approach not only improves the mechanical reliability of the overall package but also simplifies experimental procedures.

[0038] Example 2

[0039] In this embodiment, the packaging platform consisting of the packaging tray 1 and the probe placement plate 2 is integrally formed using ceramic material using 3D printing technology. The waveguide cross-sectional dimensions of the polymer waveguide probe 6 are: 25 μm in height and 100 μm in width. The optical fiber pin 4 is made of glass and has a length of 8 mm, a core diameter of 150 μm, and a numerical aperture of 0.25 NA. The optical fiber cannula 4 is made of ceramic and has a length of 7 mm, an inner diameter of 150 μm, and an outer diameter of 2.5 μm. The optical fiber cannula 4 is spaced 2 mm from the wall of the packaging tray 1, and the distance that the optical fiber cannula 4 extends from the packaging tray 1 is 3.5 mm. The optical fiber sleeve 3 is made of polymer and has an inner diameter of 2.5 mm and a length of 7 mm.

[0040] Example 3

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a method for preparing a pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for a polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probe, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0042] Step 1: Customize the packaging platform consisting of a packaging tray 1 and a probe placement plate 2 through 3D printing;

[0043] Step 2: Bond the polymer waveguide probe 6 to the probe placement plate 2;

[0044] Step 3: Fix the polymer waveguide probe 6 and the packaging platform as a whole on the first six-axis displacement platform; integrate the optical fiber pin 5 and the optical fiber tube 4 together, connect the optical fiber sleeve 3 to one end of the optical fiber tube 4, and then fix the three on the second six-axis displacement platform; move the second six-axis displacement platform to move the optical fiber tube 4 and the optical fiber pin 5 to the optical fiber pin guide groove 101 of the packaging tray 1, and ensure that the center of the optical fiber pin 5 is lower than the upper surface of the polymer coupling waveguide in the polymer waveguide probe 6 in the vertical direction, thereby reserving space for the subsequent alignment coupling.

[0045] Step 4: Connect one end of the optical fiber to the laser, and the other end to one end of the optical fiber cannula 4 through the optical fiber sleeve 3. At this time, the optical fiber pin 5 is placed in the air; under the guidance of the optical fiber pin guide groove 101, the second six-axis displacement platform drives the optical fiber pin 5 to move, and end-face coupling is performed between the optical fiber pin 5 and the polymer waveguide probe 6;

[0046] Step 5: When the end faces of the optical fiber ferrule 5 and the polymer waveguide probe 6 achieve optimal coupling, i.e., when coupling efficiency is highest, UV glue is dripped into the gap between them. Using a UV light source, the glue is cured by multiple, short-time, gradient-power irradiation. Subsequently, the UV glue is filled completely into the guide groove of the optical fiber ferrule 5 and cured, bonding the optical fiber ferrule 5 to the packaging platform. Finally, the seal is sealed with black heat-curing glue heated to 80°C. The specific parameters for the multiple, short-time, gradient-power irradiation in this embodiment are: three curing irradiation sessions: the first at 15mW for 1 minute; the second at 25mW for 45 seconds; and the third at 40mW for 1 minute.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing examples, those skilled in the art will still be able to modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing examples or substitute equivalents for some of the technical features therein. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A pluggable optical fiber end-face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probes, characterized in that: It comprises a packaging tray (1), a probe placement plate (2), an optical fiber sleeve (3), an optical fiber cannula (4), an optical fiber pin (5) and a polymer waveguide probe (6); The packaging tray (1) is provided with a through optical fiber pin guide groove (101); one end of the probe placement plate (2) is fixed in the optical fiber pin guide groove (101), and the other end extends out of the packaging tray (1); a stepped high and low plane is formed between the top surface of the probe placement plate (2) and the bottom surface of the optical fiber pin guide groove (101); the polymer waveguide probe (6) is fixedly connected to the probe placement plate (2); the optical fiber pin (5) is located in the optical fiber pin guide groove (101); one end of the optical fiber pin (5) is fixed to the probe placement plate (2); The end of the optical fiber cannula (4) is aligned with the polymer waveguide probe (6) in a three-dimensional space to achieve displacement coupling, and the other end is embedded in the center of the optical fiber cannula (4); the other end of the optical fiber cannula (4) extends out of the optical fiber pin guide groove (101) and is detachably connected to the optical fiber sleeve (3); the optical fiber pin (5) and the optical fiber cannula (4) are fixedly supported in the optical fiber pin guide groove (101) by a cured UV glue, and the optical fiber pin guide groove (101) is filled with black heat-curing glue, so that the two are enclosed in the optical fiber pin guide groove (101).

2. The pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The packaging tray (1) and the probe placement plate (2) form a packaging platform and are integrally formed using 3D printing technology.

3. The pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probe according to claim 2, characterized in that: The packaging tray (1) and the probe placement plate (2) are made of polyamide, resin, ceramic, or aluminum alloy.

4. The pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber ferrule (5) is made of ceramic or glass, has a length of 8-15 mm, a core diameter of 3-150 μm, an outer diameter of 1-3 mm, and a numerical aperture of 0.22-0.5 NA.

5. The pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber cannula (4) extends out of the packaging tray (1) by 2-5 mm, so as to facilitate the connection between the optical fiber cannula (4) and the optical fiber sleeve (3); The gap between the optical fiber cannula (4) and the bottom surface and the wall surface of the optical fiber pin guide groove (101) is 1-3 mm, so that the optical fiber pin (5) fixed on the optical fiber cannula (4) has appropriate movement space when it is aligned with the polymer waveguide probe (6) in the vertical displacement coupling.

6. The pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber cannula (4) is made of ceramic.

7. The pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-sectional dimensions of the polymer coupling waveguide of the polymer waveguide probe (6) are 2-50 μm in height and 2-400 μm in width.

8. The pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber sleeve (3) is made of ceramic or polymer, and has an inner diameter of 1-3 mm and a length of 5-10 mm.

9. A method for preparing a pluggable optical fiber end face packaging device for a polymer waveguide integrated optogenetic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: Step 1: Customizing a packaging platform consisting of the packaging tray (1) and the probe placement plate (2) through 3D printing; Step 2: bonding the polymer waveguide probe (6) to the probe placement plate (2); Step 3: Fix the polymer waveguide probe (6) and the packaging platform as a whole on the first six-axis displacement platform; integrate the optical fiber pin (5) and the optical fiber cannula (4) together, connect the optical fiber sleeve (3) to one end of the optical fiber cannula (4), and then fix the three on the second six-axis displacement platform; Moving the second six-axis displacement platform so that the optical fiber cannula (4) and the optical fiber stub (5) move into the optical fiber stub guide groove (101) of the packaging tray (1), and ensuring that the center of the optical fiber stub (5) is lower than the upper surface of the polymer coupling waveguide in the polymer waveguide probe (6) in the vertical direction, thereby reserving space for subsequent alignment coupling; Step 4: Connect one end of the optical fiber to the laser, and connect the other end to one end of the optical fiber cannula (4) through the optical fiber sleeve (3), while the optical fiber pin (5) is suspended in the air; Under the guidance of the optical fiber ferrule guide groove (101), the second six-axis displacement platform drives the optical fiber ferrule (5) to move, and performs end-face coupling on the optical fiber ferrule (5) and the polymer waveguide probe (6); Step 5: When the end faces of the optical fiber pin (5) and the polymer waveguide probe (6) reach an optimal coupling state, that is, when the coupling efficiency is the highest, drop UV glue into the gap between the optical fiber pin (5) and the polymer waveguide probe (6), and use a UV light source to irradiate and cure the UV glue through multiple, short-time, gradient power settings; Subsequently, the optical fiber ferrule guide groove (101) is filled with UV glue and cured, so that the optical fiber ferrule (5) and the packaging platform are bonded together; finally, black heat-curing glue is used to heat and encapsulate.

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