Auto-fluorescence testing device for image-transmitting optical fiber bundle

Abstract

The utility model discloses an autofluorescence testing device for an image-transmitting optical fiber bundle, which comprises a laser light source, the image-transmitting optical fiber bundle, an autofluorescence separation element and a first detection device which are sequentially arranged along a light path, and the first detection device is positioned on a transmission light path of the autofluorescence separation element and is a spectrograph or an optical power meter. The beam diameter of the laser light source is larger than the imaging diameter of the image transmitting optical fiber bundle. A light beam emitted by the laser light source is an excitation light source, and the excitation light source is used for exciting special substances in the image transmission optical fiber bundle and exciting autofluorescence, and then the autofluorescence is separated to the first detection device through the autofluorescence separation element. When the spectrum is tested, the first detection device is a spectrograph, and the spectrograph covers the wavelength of the excitation light source and the visible light wave band where autofluorescence is located. When the power intensity is tested, the first detection device is an optical power meter. Therefore, the autofluorescence spectrum characteristic and intensity of the image-transmitting optical fiber bundle can be obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of endoscope detection, and more specifically relates to a spontaneous fluorescence testing device for an image transmission optical fiber bundle. Background Art

[0002] In systems such as probe-type confocal microendoscopes, the image transmission fiber bundle plays the role of transmitting excitation light energy, transmitting fluorescence signals, transmitting scanning positions, etc., and is an indispensable component.

[0003] Image-transmitting fiber bundles are generally made of glass or optical plastics, and have a spontaneous fluorescence effect for light within a certain wavelength range. The incident light is focused at one end of the image-transmitting fiber bundle and enters a single optical fiber. Since the diameter of a single optical fiber is very thin, the light energy density inside the optical fiber is very high at this time, which will stimulate relatively strong spontaneous fluorescence.

[0004] The image obtained by directly imaging the fiber bundle must be gridded, so the pCLE system needs to locate the position of each fiber in the fiber bundle, and then use the image processing algorithm to de-grid the image; after obtaining the position of each fiber, the algorithm can also be used to track and maintain the position of each fiber. In practical applications, it is most convenient and effective to use the spontaneous fluorescence of the fiber as the marking signal of each fiber. In order to locate the fiber more accurately, the spontaneous fluorescence of the fiber is even required to be as strong as possible.

[0005] On the other hand, when imaging fluorescent contrast agents, the autofluorescence of the imaging fiber bundle will always exist and be superimposed on the fluorescence signal generated by the fluorescent contrast agent. Autofluorescence becomes a kind of background noise, which will significantly degrade the signal-to-noise ratio of imaging when the concentration of fluorescent contrast agents is low. Therefore, the larger the overlap between the autofluorescence and the fluorescence spectrum of the contrast agent and the greater the intensity of the autofluorescence, the lower the signal-to-noise ratio of the fluorescence imaging, which affects the interpretation of the image and clinical diagnosis.

[0006] During the production process, selecting a fiber bundle with suitable autofluorescence for production can effectively ensure the qualified rate of the probe-type confocal microendoscope. Therefore, testing and characterizing the spectral characteristics and intensity of the autofluorescence of the image transmission fiber bundle before production is a technical problem that needs to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0007] In view of the above defects or improvement needs of the prior art, the utility model provides a device for testing the spontaneous fluorescence of an image transmission fiber bundle, which aims to test and characterize the spectral characteristics and intensity of the spontaneous fluorescence of the image transmission fiber bundle.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to one aspect of the utility model, a spontaneous fluorescence testing device for an image transmitting fiber bundle is provided, comprising a laser light source, an image transmitting fiber bundle, a spontaneous fluorescence separation element and a first detection device located on the transmission light path of the spontaneous fluorescence separation element, wherein the first detection device is a spectrometer or an optical power meter, and the beam diameter of the laser light source is larger than the imaging diameter of the image transmitting fiber bundle.

[0009] Through the above technical solution, the light beam emitted by the laser light source is the excitation light source. The function of the excitation light source is to excite the special substance in the image transmission fiber bundle, stimulate the autofluorescence, and then separate the autofluorescence to the first detection device through the autofluorescence separation element. When testing the spectrum, the first detection device is a spectrometer, which covers the wavelength of the excitation light source and the visible light band where the autofluorescence is located. When testing the power intensity, the first detection device is an optical power meter. Thereby, the autofluorescence spectrum characteristics and intensity of the image transmission fiber bundle can be obtained.

[0010] Furthermore, the autofluorescence separation element is a filter.

[0011] Furthermore, the optical density of the filter in the short-wave stop band is ≥5.

[0012] Furthermore, the average transmittance of the filter in the long-wave passband is greater than 90%.

[0013] Furthermore, the spontaneous fluorescence separation element is a dichroic mirror, and a second detection device is also arranged on the reflection light path of the dichroic mirror.

[0014] Furthermore, the average transmittance of the dichroic mirror to the spontaneous fluorescence is ≥90%, and the reflectivity to the wavelength of the light beam emitted by the laser light source is ≥98%.

[0015] Furthermore, the second detection device is an optical power meter.

[0016] Furthermore, the wavelength of the laser is 365nm, 488nm, 532nm or 785nm.

[0017] Furthermore, the laser light source includes a laser, or the laser light source includes a laser and a beam expander lens group.

[0018] In general, the above technical solutions conceived by the utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0019] (1) Through the measurement of this device, the autofluorescence spectrum characteristics and intensity of the image transmission fiber bundle can be obtained. This can be further combined with the fluorescence emission spectrum of the fluorescent contrast agent, and the doping of the image transmission fiber bundle and other manufacturing processes that affect the autofluorescence can be optimized, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio of probe-type confocal microendoscope imaging and improving the accuracy of image interpretation and clinical diagnosis.

[0020] (2) The device has a simple structure and is easy to equip and operate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the utility model in some embodiments;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the utility model in other embodiments.

[0023] In the figure, 1, laser light source; 2, image transmission fiber bundle; 3, spontaneous fluorescence separation element; 4, first detection device; 5, second detection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the utility model more clear, the utility model is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the utility model and are not used to limit the utility model. In addition, the technical features involved in each embodiment of the utility model described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the utility model proposes a spontaneous fluorescence testing device for an image-transmitting optical fiber bundle 2, comprising a laser light source 1, an image-transmitting optical fiber bundle 2, a spontaneous fluorescence separation element 3 and a first detection device 4 located on the transmission light path of the spontaneous fluorescence separation element 3, wherein the beam diameter of the laser light source 1 is larger than the imaging diameter of the image-transmitting optical fiber bundle 2.

[0026] The light beam emitted by the laser light source 1 is an excitation light source. The function of the excitation light source is to excite the special substance in the image transmission fiber bundle 2 and excite spontaneous fluorescence. The image transmission fiber bundle 2 is ground and polished to achieve efficient light transmission. The excitation laser propagates through the image transmission fiber bundle 2, excites and excites spontaneous fluorescence along the travel path. Then the spontaneous fluorescence is separated to the first detection device 4 through the spontaneous fluorescence separation element 3. When testing the spectrum, the first detection device 4 is a spectrometer. The spectrometer covers the wavelength of the excitation light source and the visible light band where the spontaneous fluorescence is located, so that the spontaneous fluorescence spectrum characteristics and intensity of the image transmission fiber bundle 2 can be obtained. When testing the power intensity, the first detection device 4 is an optical power meter. Because the intensity of spontaneous fluorescence is very weak compared to the excitation light source, the measurement accuracy of the optical power meter needs to reach the nw level.

[0027] Specifically, the wavelength of the laser is 365nm, 488nm, 532nm or 785nm.

[0028] The beam diameter of the laser light source 1 is larger than the imaging diameter of the image transmission fiber bundle 2, which can ensure that the spontaneous fluorescence of the image transmission fiber bundle 2 to be measured is fully stimulated. The laser light source 1 includes a laser, or the laser light source 1 includes a laser and a beam expander. When the output beam diameter of the laser cannot cover the imaging diameter of the image transmission fiber bundle 2, the beam expander can expand the output beam.

[0029] In some embodiments, the autofluorescence separation element 3 is a filter. Preferably, it is a long-pass filter. Further, the optical density of the filter in the short-wave stop band is ≥5, and the average transmittance in the long-wave pass band is greater than 90%. At this time, the wavelength of the excitation light source and the wavelength of the autofluorescence are respectively in the stop band and pass band of the filter, so the output through the filter is the autofluorescence to be measured, which can be detected by the first detection device 4.

[0030] In other embodiments, the autofluorescence separation element 3 is a dichroic mirror, and a second detection device 5 is also provided on the reflection light path of the dichroic mirror. The average transmittance of the dichroic mirror to the autofluorescence is ≥90%, and the reflectance of the wavelength of the light beam emitted by the laser light source 1 is ≥98%. The setting of the dichroic mirror can realize the separation of autofluorescence and the excitation light source. Generally speaking, the excitation light source is reflected by the dichroic mirror to the second detection device 5, and the autofluorescence is transmitted to the first detection device 4 at the dichroic mirror. Specifically, the second detection device 5 is an optical power meter, which is used to detect the intensity of the excitation light source.

[0031] Thus, the dichroic mirror enables the device to detect the intensity of the excitation light source while detecting the autofluorescence, thereby obtaining the relative proportional relationship between the excitation light source and the autofluorescence, which helps to determine the quantitative relationship of "excitation light source intensity-autofluorescence intensity" and guides the quantitative control of autofluorescence. When the autofluorescence intensity exceeds / is lower than expected, the concentration of doping ions in the rod during the manufacturing process can be controlled.

[0032] It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for testing the spontaneous fluorescence of an image transmission optical fiber bundle, characterized in that: It includes a laser light source, an image transmission fiber bundle, a spontaneous fluorescence separation element and a first detection device located on the transmission light path of the spontaneous fluorescence separation element, which are arranged in sequence along the light path. The first detection device is a spectrometer or an optical power meter. The beam diameter of the laser light source is larger than the imaging diameter of the image transmission fiber bundle.

2. The autofluorescence testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The autofluorescence separation element is a filter.

3. The autofluorescence testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The optical density of the filter in the short-wave stop band is ≥5.

4. The autofluorescence testing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The average transmittance of the filter in the long-wave passband is greater than 90%.

5. The autofluorescence testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spontaneous fluorescence separation element is a dichroic mirror, and a second detection device is also arranged on the reflection light path of the dichroic mirror.

6. The autofluorescence testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The average transmittance of the dichroic mirror to the autofluorescence is ≥90%, and the reflectivity to the wavelength of the light beam emitted by the laser light source is ≥98%.

7. The autofluorescence testing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second detection device is an optical power meter.

8. The autofluorescence testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wavelength of the laser light source is 365nm, 488nm, 532nm or 785nm.

9. The autofluorescence testing device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The laser light source includes a laser, or the laser light source includes a laser and a beam expander lens group.

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