Endoscopic Reflection Microscope Phase Retardation Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscopic reflection microscopes using optical fiber bundles face limitations in acquiring high-resolution images due to phase retardation and back-reflection noise, which restrict their ability to access internal body areas or precision machines effectively without pre-calibration and require dyeing for two-photon or fluorescence measurements.

Innovation Solution

An endoscopic reflection microscope with an incident wave output unit, reflected wave receiver, and image acquirer that establishes a reflection matrix to compensate for phase retardation in real time, distinguish and remove back-reflection noise, and derive a complex field-map to acquire high-resolution images without dyeing, using an optical fiber bundle-based probe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an optical fiber bundle is used to access difficult-to-reach areas, then the ability to access internal body areas or precision machines is improved, but phase retardation occurs that distorts the image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access internal body areasVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of the transmission matrix characterizing the optical fiber bundle's phase properties before actual imaging. This pre-characterization allows the system to store reference data that will be used for phase compensation during subsequent imaging operations, enabling accurate imaging despite the fiber bundle's phase-distorting effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses measured transmission matrix data to calculate and apply phase compensation in real-time during image acquisition. The feedback loop continuously references the pre-measured transmission characteristics to correct phase distortions, ensuring high-quality images are reconstructed even when using the flexible optical fiber bundle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If a non-linear image using fluorescence or two-photon phenomenon is acquired to separate light beams, then image separation is improved, but the resolution is limited by the interval between cores of optical fibers and dyeing is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage separation capabilityVSAvoidresolution limitation and dyeing requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and removes the back-reflection noise component from the transmitted light signal. By separating the harmful back-reflection from the useful transmitted light that carries image information, the system achieves clear imaging without requiring fluorescence or two-photon effects, thereby avoiding the associated resolution limitations and dyeing requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful back-reflection noise, which was previously an obstacle, into useful information by measuring it separately through the transmission matrix. This measured back-reflection data is then subtracted from the total signal, transforming the harmful interference into a correction factor that enhances image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Enables high-resolution image acquisition with real-time phase retardation compensation and noise removal, allowing access to internal body areas or precision machines without pre-calibration and without the need for fluorescent labels or dyeing.

Implementation Method 1

some of incident light injected into the optical fiber to illuminate an object is internally reflected at an end of the optical fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInternal reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

endoscopic reflection microscope including an optical fiber bundle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

interferes with light reflected from the object, thereby distorting an image of the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 4

phase retardation is compensated for based on the established reflection matrix

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase retardation:

Data Source

PatentUS11785348B2Endoscopic reflection microscope using optical fiber bundle and image acquisition method using the same

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 KOREA UNIV RES & BUSINESS FOUND

AI summary

Disclosed are an endoscopic reflection microscope using an optical fiber bundle and an image acquisition method using the same. The endoscopic reflection microscope includes an incident wave output unit configured to output an incident wave to a target object through any one optical fiber in an optical fiber bundle, a reflected wave receiver configured to receive a reflected wave output from the target object in response to the incident wave through a plurality of corresponding optical fibers in the optical fiber bundle, and an image acquirer configured to establish a reflection matrix corresponding to the reflected wave and to acquire an image in which at least one of phase retardation of the incident wave or phase retardation of the reflected wave is compensated for based on the established reflection matrix.