Flexible Tip Optical Imaging System for Diffuse Mediums
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical imaging technologies, such as time-of-flight imaging, face challenges with high cost, bulkiness, and limited resolution due to the need for expensive specialty hardware and high light intensity, especially when imaging human tissue or diffuse mediums with infrared light.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using flexible imaging systems with components positioned close to the diffuse medium via flexible tips, employing pulsed infrared light and ultrasonic signals to wavelength-shift the light, and capturing interference patterns to generate holograms and time-reversed signals for precise imaging, allowing for more efficient and cost-effective imaging without the need for bulky equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If time-of-flight imaging is used to image diffuse mediums, then imaging capability is achieved, but system cost and bulkiness increase due to requirement for specialty hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential imaging function from complex time-of-flight systems by using simpler interferometric detection with standard cameras. The core imaging capability is achieved through wavelength-shifted light interference patterns captured by conventional image sensors, eliminating the need for expensive picosecond pulsed lasers and single photon detectors while maintaining imaging reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the imaging process using interference patterns instead of direct time-of-flight measurement. By capturing wavelength-shifted light interference patterns and processing them to generate holograms and time-reversed signals, the system achieves imaging functionality through a different physical approach that uses standard hardware
2Measurement precision
If high light intensity is used for imaging, then imaging resolution improves, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulsed light illumination combined with wavelength shifting to achieve imaging resolution without requiring continuously high light intensity. The pulsed nature of the illumination allows for lower average power requirements while maintaining peak intensity for resolution, and the wavelength shift enables discrimination between signal and background without needing excessive light power
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wavelength shifting as an intermediary mechanism that converts the imaging problem into a different domain. By shifting the wavelength of reflected light, the system creates a detectable signal that can be distinguished from background noise, enabling imaging resolution through interference pattern analysis rather than requiring high light intensity directly
3Measurement precision
If imaging components are positioned close to the diffuse medium, then imaging accuracy improves, but device form factor becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible fibers and thin-film structures to position imaging components close to the diffuse medium. The flexible fiber optic cables and thin-film photodetector arrays can be inserted into or placed against the target medium, enabling close proximity imaging while maintaining a flexible, adaptable form factor that can conform to various geometries
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 approach enables improved imaging accuracy and depth with reduced size and weight constraints, facilitating the use of optical fibers and flexible members to position components near the medium, thereby enhancing the imaging process while minimizing the need for expensive hardware.
Implementation Method 1
employing pulsed infrared light and ultrasonic signals to wavelength-shift the light
Implementation Method 2
facilitating the use of optical fibers and flexible members to position components near the medium
Implementation Method 3
capturing interference patterns to generate holograms and time-reversed signals for precise imaging
Data Source
AI summary
A system or device includes a member structure, a plurality of flexible members, and a plurality of tips disposed at ends of the flexible members. The member structure includes an ultrasonic emitter configured to emit an ultrasonic imaging signal. The plurality of flexible members are coupled to the member structure. The plurality of tips are disposed at ends of the flexible members. At least one tip of the plurality of tips includes an image sensor configured to receive an infrared exit signal.