Spectrally encoded miniature endoscopic imaging probe

Abstract

A spectrally encoded endoscopic probe having high resolution and small diameter comprising at least one flexible optical fiber; an energy source; a grating through which said energy is transmitted such that the energy spectrum is dispersed; a lens for focusing the dispersed energy spectrum onto a sample such that the impingement spot for each wavelength is a separate position on the sample, the wavelength spectrum defining a wavelength encoded axis; means for mechanically scanning the sample with focused energy in a direction perpendicular to the wavelength encoded axis; a means for receiving energy reflected from the sample; and, a means for detecting the received reflected energy. The probe grating and lens delivers a beam of multi-spectral light having spectral components extending in one dimension across a target region and which is moved to scan in another direction. The reflected spectrum is measured to provide two dimensional imaging of the region.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of endoscopy in general and to an endoscope having a combination of high number of resolvable points using spectral encoding and contained in a diameter / space small enough to perform desired procedures.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Clinical use of endoscopic devices and probes has permitted physicians to view and diagnose target bodies, such as tumors, deposits, tears, thrombi, and the like. Unfortunately, there are still a number of disadvantages and limitations of using conventionally available endoscopes. The diameter of currently available probes limits their use to certain procedures and locations that can accommodate the large diameter of the endoscope. Consequently, many procedures currently done surgically could be done endoscopically, if a small enough probe was available with a sufficient number of resolvable points.

[0003] Current endoscopic procedures generally require administration of anesthesia an...

Examples

color embodiment

[0058]In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 5, a device 100 can be constructed that uses at least two and preferably three or more separate broadband source modules 110, for example, three sources centered at red (630 nm) 102, green (540 nm) 104, and blue (480 nm) 106 to produce color images using this technique. It is to be understood that other colors, wavelengths and number of separate sources can be selected depending on various factors, including, but not limited to, the imaging environment, imaging target, measurements to be obtained, and the like. The three energy components can be separated after reflection from the sample 30 and recombined to form an image. Each of the source / detector modules 102, 104 and 106 for the three spectral bands transmits selected wavelength light to an optical mixer / separator 108, which selectively transmits the light toward the imaging head 109 and to the imaging optics 110 for the different colors. The light reflec...

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of endoscopy in general and to an endoscope having a combination of high number of resolvable points using spectral encoding and contained in a diameter / space small enough to perform desired procedures.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Clinical use of endoscopic devices and probes has permitted physicians to view and diagnose target bodies, such as tumors, deposits, tears, thrombi, and the like. Unfortunately, there are still a number of disadvantages and limitations of using conventionally available endoscopes. The diameter of currently available probes limits their use to certain procedures and locations that can accommodate the large diameter of the endoscope. Consequently, many procedures currently done surgically could be done endoscopically, if a small enough probe was available with a sufficient number of resolvable points.

[0003] Current endoscopic procedures generally require administration of anesthesia an...

Examples

color embodiment

[0058]In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 5, a device 100 can be constructed that uses at least two and preferably three or more separate broadband source modules 110, for example, three sources centered at red (630 nm) 102, green (540 nm) 104, and blue (480 nm) 106 to produce color images using this technique. It is to be understood that other colors, wavelengths and number of separate sources can be selected depending on various factors, including, but not limited to, the imaging environment, imaging target, measurements to be obtained, and the like. The three energy components can be separated after reflection from the sample 30 and recombined to form an image. Each of the source / detector modules 102, 104 and 106 for the three spectral bands transmits selected wavelength light to an optical mixer / separator 108, which selectively transmits the light toward the imaging head 109 and to the imaging optics 110 for the different colors. The light reflec...

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