Head Mounted Camera Fiber Bundle Optical Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microendoscope systems for brain imaging face issues with fiber twisting and torque-induced breakage or unnatural movement constraints in freely moving animals, and head-mounted cameras are limited by weight and size.
Innovation Solution
A compact and lightweight head-mounted camera system with a light source, image sensor, and port for coupling with an imaging fiber bundle or electrical cable, allowing for minimal impact on animal movement, using a rotary joint and rotation compensator to maintain image quality and freedom of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an imaging fiber is fixed on the animal's head to observe neural activity, then brain imaging capability is achieved, but the fiber becomes twisted and subjected to torque that may cause breakage or constrain natural movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the imaging function into two separate components: a lightweight head-mounted camera module that moves freely with the animal, and a stationary external camera. The head-mounted module captures images that are then transmitted wirelessly to the external system for processing and display. This segmentation eliminates the need for a long, torque-prone imaging fiber while maintaining imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fiber-optic transmission system with an electronic imaging system. Instead of using an imaging fiber to transmit light signals, the system uses a head-mounted camera with an image sensor to capture neural activity optically and transmit digital signals wirelessly to an external computer. This substitution eliminates the mechanical constraints and torque issues associated with fixed fiber mounting.
2Measurement precision
If a head mounted camera is mounted directly on the animal's head to capture brain images, then imaging proximity is improved, but the weight and size of the camera constrain natural movements
Solution Approach 1:
The head-mounted camera module is designed to be minimally invasive by including only the essential components needed for imaging: a light source, beamsplitter, objective lens, and image sensor. Non-essential components are placed externally. This partial implementation reduces the weight and size of the head-mounted portion to a minimal level that does not significantly constrain animal movement, while still achieving close proximity imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts heavy and bulky components from the head-mounted module and places them externally. The head-mounted camera retains only the essential imaging components (light source, optics, and sensor), while the computer for processing and displaying images is located externally. This extraction reduces the weight burden on the animal's head to a minimal level.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional optical components are integrated into the head mounted camera to enable patterned optical stimulation, then functional capabilities are improved, but the bulkiness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the optical stimulation function from the head-mounted camera by using a separate spatial light modulator positioned externally. The head-mounted camera includes only the essential imaging components, while the spatial light modulator for patterned optical stimulation is located externally and optically coupled to the head-mounted objective. This segmentation maintains imaging capability while adding stimulation functionality without significantly increasing head-mounted bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The head-mounted objective lens serves multiple functions: it acts as both the imaging objective for the camera and the delivery path for patterned optical stimulation from the spatial light modulator. This multi-functionality allows the system to perform both imaging and optical stimulation through a single optical pathway, reducing the need for separate components and minimizing head-mounted bulk.
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
Enables high-proximity, minimally invasive brain imaging and stimulation with reduced bulk and weight, allowing animals to move freely without constraining their natural behavior, while maintaining image quality and enabling patterned optical stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for illuminating light through a beamsplitter to an image lens implant
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor for capturing and transmitting images of neurons via the lens implant from deep inside the brain of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to optical instruments and methods with a head mounted camera on a subject to provide a compact and lightweight solution to imaging specimen from the brain of a subject thereby providing closer proximity imaging with minimal or negligible effect to the subject's ability to physically move and rotate freely. The head mounted camera includes a light source for illuminating light through a beamsplitter to an image lens implant, which has been surgically inserted in the brain of the subject. The head mounted camera also includes an image sensor for imaging the top surface of the imaging lens implant and for capturing and transmitting images of neurons from deep inside the brain of the subject to the image sensor.