Confocal Endomicroscope Optical System Multi-Wavelength Collimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjusting the optical system of a confocal endomicroscope equipped with multi-wavelength laser beams is challenging, leading to low productivity and large tolerances between products, and reduces optical efficiency due to the need for individual adjustment of multiple optical members.
Innovation Solution
The optical system includes a collimator to efficiently focus multi-wavelength laser beams onto an optical fiber core, reducing the number of optical members and increasing productivity by simplifying adjustments, while allowing for the use of either single-wavelength or multi-wavelength configurations through a rail system for optical members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple optical members are used to focus multi-wavelength laser beams, then focusing capability is improved, but device complexity and adjustment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical members (lenses, mirrors, beam splitters) into a single integrated optical module that can focus multi-wavelength laser beams. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the focusing capability, thereby reducing device complexity and adjustment difficulty while preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical module is designed to handle multiple wavelengths simultaneously through a single unified structure. The module can accommodate different laser wavelengths (e.g., 405nm, 488nm, 532nm, 633nm) and focus them onto the optical fiber core using a single integrated design, making the system universal for multi-wavelength operations without requiring separate optical paths for each wavelength.
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical members are individually adjusted, then focusing accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases and manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple optical members into a single integrated module, the patent eliminates the need for individual adjustment of each component during manufacturing and assembly. The unified structure maintains focusing accuracy while significantly improving productivity by reducing adjustment time and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical module is pre-assembled and pre-aligned as a complete unit before being installed in the confocal endomicroscope system. This preliminary action of integrating and adjusting all optical components in advance eliminates the need for time-consuming individual adjustments during final assembly, thereby improving productivity while maintaining focusing accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous optical members are used for each laser wavelength, then wavelength-specific optimization is improved, but optical efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical module is designed as a universal system that can handle multiple laser wavelengths simultaneously through a single integrated structure. Instead of having separate optical paths for each wavelength, the module uses a unified design that accommodates different wavelengths (405nm, 488nm, 532nm, 633nm) and focuses them onto the optical fiber core, thereby reducing energy loss and improving overall optical efficiency while maintaining wavelength-specific optimization capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances focusing efficiency, increases productivity, and reduces product tolerances, improving the overall performance and convenience of the confocal endomicroscope by minimizing the number of optical members and allowing flexible wavelength configurations.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber coupler that combines the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber into a third optical fiber so that the first beam propagating through the first optical fiber and the second beam propagating through the second optical fiber propagate simultaneously through the third optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
a first collimator coupled to the third optical fiber, and a second collimator, coupled to a fourth optical fiber and connected to a probe for irradiating the object with the first and second beams
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system mounted on a confocal endomicroscope is proposed. The optical system may include a first laser coupled to a first optical fiber and a second laser coupled to a second optical fiber. The optical system may also include an optical fiber coupler that couples the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber into a third optical fiber such that the first beam propagating through the first optical fiber and the second beam propagating through the second optical fiber are simultaneously propagated through the third optical fiber. The optical system may further include an optical propagation module through which the first and second beams output from the optical fiber coupler are propagated.