Forward Scanning Optical Probe Fiber Bundle Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems face challenges in achieving high scanning resolution due to the finite gaps between optical fibers in fiber bundles, leading to grainy and noisy images, especially when the scanner is placed outside the eye, interfering with surgical microscope operations.
Innovation Solution
An actuator adjusts the position of optical fibers in a fiber bundle to improve imaging resolution by covering the gaps between fibers, allowing for finer scanning and increased image sampling density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the scanner is placed outside the eye, then the surgical microscope optical pathway is not blocked, but the scanning resolution becomes insufficient due to fiber bundle gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic scanning of the imaging light across the proximal surface of the fiber bundle, coordinated with actuator-driven fiber position adjustments. This dynamic approach allows the system to overcome the static limitation of fixed fiber positions and gaps, achieving effective super-resolution imaging while maintaining compatibility with surgical microscope operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameters of individual fibers within the bundle using actuators, allowing precise control over which fibers are activated and their spatial arrangement. This parameter control enables the system to achieve scanning resolution finer than the original fiber-to-fiber separation, resolving the contradiction between resolution and surgical accessibility.
2Measurement precision
If the scanner is placed at the distal end of the cannula, then the scanning can be performed close to the tissue, but the distal end becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scanning function from the distal end of the cannula and relocates it to an external scanning unit. The cannula is simplified to contain only the fiber bundle and beam forming unit, while the complex scanner is positioned externally, reducing distal end complexity while maintaining imaging capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber bundle acts as an intermediary, transmitting light between the external scanner and the distal imaging location. This allows the scanning function to be separated from the distal end structure, simplifying the cannula while maintaining the ability to perform high-resolution imaging close to the tissue.
3Volume of moving object
If the scanner is placed outside the eye, then the cannula size is reduced, but the imaging light must be guided back through the fiber bundle causing intermittent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic coordination between the external scanner and the fiber bundle actuator to ensure continuous scanning. By actively adjusting fiber positions in response to scanning movements, the system eliminates intermittent interruptions and maintains reliable, continuous imaging despite the separated scanner position.
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 image clarity and resolution by eliminating or reducing imaging artifacts associated with fiber spacing, resulting in improved OCT image quality without interfering with surgical microscope operations.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber bundle having a set of optical fibers configured to guide an imaging light
Implementation Method 2
a beam forming unit configured to receive the imaging light from the fiber bundle and to redirect the imaging light to a target region
Data Source
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Figure 2a~2d
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AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods that utilize a technique of changing a position of the set of optical fibers of the fiber bundle in cooperation with the scanning of the imaging light across a proximal surface of the fiber bundle to improve the resolution of the scanned image. In particular, a bundle actuator can be provided to change a position of the set of optical fibers of the fiber bundle in cooperation with a scanning of the imaging light across the proximal surface of the fiber bundle to cover the areas of the gaps between the optical fibers and to increase a resolution of the scanned image.