Fluorescence Illumination Fiber Matching Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorescence imaging systems face challenges in matching the output angles of fluorescence excitation light and visible observation light sources, leading to incomplete illumination and potential clinical misinterpretations due to mismatched Field Of View (FOV) in surgical imaging.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence illumination fiber system comprising two concentric multimode fibers with a diffuser at the output, where the inner fiber transmits fluorescence excitation light and the outer fiber transmits visible observation light, with the diffuser increasing the angular output of the inner fiber more than the outer fiber, ensuring similar FOVs for both light beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate light guide routes are used for fluorescence excitation light and visible observation light, then each light source can be optimized for its specific optical specifications, but the device complexity increases and the Field of View matching becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate light guide routes into a single integrated illumination fiber that transmits both fluorescence excitation light and visible observation light simultaneously. This merging approach maintains the optical optimization benefits of separate routes while reducing device complexity and ensuring matched Field of View at the output end.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the fluorescence excitation light fiber is positioned concentrically within the visible observation light fiber. This nesting arrangement allows both light paths to coexist in a single illumination fiber, optimizing space utilization and ensuring matched output angles for both light sources.
2Device complexity
If a single light guide is used for both fluorescence excitation light and visible observation light, then the device complexity is reduced, but the Field of View matching between the two light sources becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the illumination fiber with different optical characteristics at different radial positions. The core transmits fluorescence excitation light with specific angular properties, while the cladding transmits visible observation light with different angular properties, allowing each region to be optimized for its specific function while achieving overall FOV matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the numerical aperture and output angles of the different light paths within the illumination fiber. By carefully selecting and adjusting these optical parameters, the system achieves matched Field of View for both fluorescence excitation and visible observation light despite using a single integrated fiber structure.
3Reliability
If the angular output of fluorescence excitation light is increased to match visible light FOV, then comprehensive illumination is achieved, but light waste increases due to excessive diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing slightly more angular output for the fluorescence excitation light than the minimum required to match the visible light FOV. This ensures complete illumination coverage of the surgical field while minimizing excessive diffusion that would lead to light waste, achieving optimal balance between coverage and efficiency.
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 ensures comprehensive illumination of the surgical field, preventing areas from being missed in imaging and reducing light waste by matching the FOVs of both light beams to the imaging system, enhancing visualization by allowing simultaneous display of fluorescence and visible light images.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser increases an angular output of the inner fiber by a first value and increases an angular output of the outer fiber by a second value
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
Fluorescence imaging illumination fiber including a first fiber, a second fiber, and a diffuser, the second fiber concentrically enfolding the first fiber, the diffuser is coupled at the end of the first fiber and the second fiber, the first fiber having a first angular output, the second fiber having a second angular output, the diffuser increasing the first angular output by a first value and increasing the second angular output by a second value, the first value exceeding the second value.