Liquid Crystal OCT Imaging via Mechanical Noise Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems, particularly time domain full field (TD-FF) and Fourier domain full field (FD-FF) systems, face limitations in achieving high resolution, speed, and cost-effectiveness due to mechanical noise, limited lateral resolution, and the need for complex hardware and computational processes.
Innovation Solution
A dual-mode interference microscopy system utilizing liquid crystal devices for demodulating interference signals, eliminating mechanical elements and allowing for ultra-high resolution and true spectroscopic OCT imaging, combining the advantages of TD-FF and FD-FF OCT systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If mechanical scanning is used in TD-FF-OCT systems, then imaging speed is improved, but mechanical noise and vibration are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with electronic signal processing. Instead of physically moving mirrors or stages to scan the sample, the system uses digital signal processing algorithms to extract optical coherence information from parallel detector readings, thereby eliminating mechanical noise and vibration while maintaining high imaging speed
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical moving parts are used in OCT systems, then imaging capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical moving parts by using electronic phase shifting and digital signal processing. The system achieves imaging capability through electronic control of phase modulators and computational algorithms rather than mechanical scanning components, significantly reducing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes mechanical components from the optical path. By separating the optical detection function from the scanning function, the system uses a static optical setup with parallel detection and extracts imaging information through digital processing, thereby eliminating mechanical complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical scanning is used, then OCT imaging is performed, but mechanical inertia issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning with electronic phase modulation and digital signal processing. This substitution eliminates mechanical inertia limitations, allowing the system to achieve high-speed imaging without the delays and vibrations inherent in mechanical moving parts
4Measurement precision
If wideband illumination is used to achieve high axial resolution, then axial resolution is improved, but dispersion compensation techniques are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electronic dispersion compensation through digital signal processing rather than complex optical dispersion compensation techniques. By processing the spectral data electronically after detection, the system achieves high axial resolution with wideband illumination while simplifying the overall optical system architecture
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-speed, high-resolution OCT imaging without mechanical moving parts, reducing costs and mechanical inertia issues, and achieving superior imaging capabilities compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal tunable filter 9,109 adapted to receive light that has passed through linear polarizer 32,132
Implementation Method 2
a liquid crystal retarder (LCR) 17,117 positioned in one of the following locations: before the polarization beam splitter 110 or after the beam splitter 10
Implementation Method 3
an achromatic quarter wave plate 12,112 and 18,118 in the reference and sample arms, respectively, the achromatic quarter wave plates adapted to rotate, upon double pass, the linear polarization of the transmitted light by 90°
Implementation Method 4
a beam splitting device 10,110 adapted to split the light passing through tunable filter 9,109 into two beams
Implementation Method 5
A dual-mode interference microscopy system utilizing liquid crystal devices for demodulating interference signals
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a system and method for obtaining interference and optical coherence tomography images from an object. The system comprises a wideband source, an optical mask for extending the depth of field, a a liquid crystal tunable filter and a phase modulator all of which are uniquely integrated in a Linnik interferometer microscope. The system has several imaging modes: in the time domain mode the device may operate either with wideband illumination or with quasi monochromatic illumination. The monochromatic illumination can be varied in wavelength along a wide spectral region thus allowing true spectroscopic imaging in high resolution and with high speed. Due to the liquid crystal tunable filter and the optical mask, the frequency domain mode is also accessible. The method of obtaining the optical coherence tomography images, both in the time and in the frequency domains, using the liquid crystal retarder is described in detail.