Fθ Lens Optical Coherence Tomography for Stable Wide-Area Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices suffer from shifts in tomographic images due to differences in environmental conditions between the sample light path and reference light path, especially when used in portable or industrial settings where the sample and reference paths are exposed to different environments, and they struggle to perform imaging over a wide area at once.
Innovation Solution
The use of an Fθ lens as the objective lens, where both sample and reference light pass through, along with a reference surface between the lens and the sample, ensures that environmental conditions remain consistent, allowing for high-precision tomographic imaging over a wide area without significant shifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional OCT devices use separate optical paths for sample light and reference light, then the device can perform tomographic imaging, but image shifts occur due to environmental condition differences between paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sample light path and reference light path into a single optical path by using a common objective lens for both paths. The light source emits light that passes through the objective lens to illuminate the sample, and the reflected light from both sample and reference surfaces travels through the same objective lens to the detector, eliminating environmental differences between separate paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The objective lens serves multiple functions: it focuses light from the light source onto the sample, collects reflected sample light, and also collects reflected reference light. This multi-functional design allows both sample and reference light to experience identical environmental conditions while maintaining imaging capability.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional OCT devices use standard objective lenses, then the device structure is simple, but imaging area is limited and cannot cover wide areas at once
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the objective lens by specifying an F-number range of 0.95 to 1.30, which optimizes the balance between imaging area coverage and image quality consistency. This parameter optimization allows the lens to maintain sufficient resolution while expanding the field of view to cover wider areas.
3Ease of operation
If the OCT device is made portable, then the device becomes easier to operate, but image shifts occur due to environmental exposure differences
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the sample and reference light paths through the common objective lens, the patent ensures that both light paths are exposed to identical environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, pressure) when the device is portably deployed, eliminating differential environmental effects that cause image shifts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the same optical components (objective lens) for both measurement and reference functions, allowing the device to self-compensate for environmental changes. Any environmental effect on the optical path equally affects both sample and reference light, maintaining relative stability.
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 configuration minimizes image shifts and enables high-precision tomographic imaging over a wide area, even in portable or industrial applications with varying environmental conditions, by maintaining consistent optical paths for sample and reference light.
Implementation Method 1
an objective lens (107) that focuses light from a light source (101) onto a sample (110)
Implementation Method 2
perform tomographic imaging of the sample (110) based on interference between sample light, which is reflected light from the sample (110), and reference light, which is reflected light from a reference surface (109)
Implementation Method 3
reference light, which is reflected light from a reference surface (109) provided between the objective lens (107) and the sample (110)
Data Source
AI summary
An optical coherence tomography device, and an optical coherence tomography method using the optical coherence tomography device. The optical coherence tomography device includes an objective lens configured to focus light from a light source onto a sample and is configured to perform tomographic imaging of the sample based on interference between sample light, which is reflected light from the sample, and reference light, which is reflected light from a reference surface provided between the objective lens and the sample. The sample light and the reference light are each to pass through the objective lens. The objective lens is an Fθ lens.