Handheld Optical Probe Using Micromirror and Conical Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopes are too thick for minimally invasive procedures due to challenges in designing a probe beam deflection system that can cover sufficient scan volumes while maintaining a diameter less than 2 mm, limiting their use in image-guided surgical applications.
Innovation Solution
A handheld optical imaging probe with a micromirror and objective lens housed in a thin polycarbonate sheet and metal housing, utilizing a micromirror for laser beam deflection and a polycarbonate sheet for bio-safe tissue contact, enabling a compact design with enhanced scanning capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional endoscope design is used with a probe beam deflection system, then sufficient scan volume coverage is achieved, but the probe diameter exceeds 2 mm making it too thick for minimally invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from mechanical beam deflection to optical beam shaping, using a conical lens array to achieve three-dimensional scanning capability without requiring a large mechanical deflection system. This optical approach enables sufficient scan volume coverage while maintaining a compact probe diameter under 2 mm, resolving the contradiction between scan volume and probe size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the conventional mechanical probe beam deflection system with an optical scanning mechanism using a conical lens array. This substitution eliminates the need for large mechanical moving parts, allowing the probe to achieve adequate scan volume while maintaining a diameter less than 2 mm suitable for minimally invasive procedures.
2Length of moving object
If the probe diameter is reduced to less than 2 mm for minimally invasive procedures, then invasiveness is minimized, but the ability to cover sufficient scan volume is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The conical lens array introduces a third dimension to the optical scanning capability, enabling the probe to achieve sufficient scan volume coverage despite the reduced diameter. The conical geometry of the lens array creates divergent light paths that expand the effective scanning field beyond what a linear array could achieve at the same probe size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the lens array from conventional cylindrical or planar configurations to a conical arrangement. This parameter change in the lens geometry fundamentally alters the light propagation characteristics, enabling expanded scan volume coverage within the constrained probe diameter of less than 2 mm.
3Measurement precision
If a laser-based scanning fluorescence confocal imaging system is used, then subsurface tissue imaging with spatial resolution of a few micrometers is achieved, but the system complexity and probe size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical beam scanning components with a compact optical lens array system. This substitution maintains the confocal imaging capability and spatial resolution of a few micrometers while significantly reducing the mechanical complexity and overall probe size, making the system suitable for handheld minimally invasive applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical lens array serves multiple functions simultaneously: it performs beam scanning, maintains confocal optical sectioning, and enables three-dimensional imaging capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanical components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while preserving measurement precision.
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
The probe achieves a 280×300 μm field of view at two frames per second with three-dimensional imaging, providing effective epithelial tissue imaging for carcinoma detection while minimizing invasiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a micromirror for directing a laser beam to irradiate the tissue sample via the objective lens and the polycarbonate sheet
Implementation Method 2
a confocal configuration probe having a micromirror and an objective lens
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld imaging probe for performing optical coherence tomography is disclosed. The handheld imaging probe includes a lens tube and a housing. The lens tube contains an objective lens and a polycarbonate sheet. The polycarbonate sheet provides a bio-safe contact with a tissue sample to be examined. The housing, which is connected to the lens tube, contains a micromirror for directing a laser beam to irradiate the tissue sample via the objective lens and the polycarbonate sheet.