Light-sheet Photonic-force OCT Elastography for 3D Micro-scale Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical coherence elastography techniques face limitations in quantifying three-dimensional mechanical properties of biomaterials at a micro-scale with high precision, particularly due to the inability to perform non-destructive, label-free, and simultaneous imaging and measurement of biomechanics in three-dimensional and cellular-resolution, and they often require physical contact or alignment, which complicates the measurement process.
Innovation Solution
The use of a light-sheet photonic force optical coherence elastography system that applies a non-contact optical actuation beam to exert photonic forces on microparticles within the sample, combined with phase-sensitive low-coherence optical interferometry, allowing for precise measurement of mechanical properties and simultaneous imaging without physical contact or alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact-type actuators (mechanical or acoustic wave actuators) are used to agitate the sample, then mechanical actuation can be achieved, but physical contact with the sample is required which causes technical issues and complicates the measurement process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical actuators with optical actuators that use light to exert radiation pressure on microparticles embedded in the sample. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact between the actuator and sample, thereby improving measurement reliability while reducing operational complexity associated with aligning and contacting mechanical actuators with delicate biological samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microparticles as intermediary elements that mediate between the optical actuation beam and the sample matrix. These microparticles are embedded in the sample and serve as proxies that can be optically manipulated to induce mechanical agitation in the surrounding tissue, enabling contactless actuation while maintaining reliable mechanical coupling to the sample.
2Measurement precision
If traditional optical coherence elastography techniques are used, then imaging can be performed, but the ability to perform non-destructive, label-free, and simultaneous imaging and measurement of biomechanics at three-dimensional and cellular-resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging with optical coherence elastography (OCE) measurement into a single integrated system. By using the same OCT infrastructure for both imaging and mechanical property measurement, the system achieves simultaneous acquisition of structural and biomechanical information at cellular resolution in three dimensions, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The OCT system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides both high-resolution structural imaging and quantitative mechanical property measurement. The same optical interferometry setup that images the sample also measures the dynamic response of microparticles to optical actuation, enabling the system to perform multiple measurement tasks without requiring separate dedicated apparatus for each function.
3Productivity
If conventional elastography methods are used, then mechanical properties can be measured, but high-throughput quantification of three-dimensional mechanical properties at micro-scale is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional surface or cross-sectional elastography to three-dimensional volumetric measurement. By embedding microparticles throughout the sample volume and using optical actuation that can penetrate and agitate particles at different depths, the system simultaneously measures mechanical properties throughout the entire three-dimensional sample, dramatically increasing measurement throughput while maintaining micro-scale precision through the OCT imaging capability.
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 approach enables high-throughput, non-destructive, and label-free quantification of three-dimensional mechanical properties at a micro-scale, providing accurate stiffness and viscosity measurements while allowing for real-time imaging and measurement of biomechanics, overcoming the limitations of existing techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a separate modulated light beam to the sample to cause an optical or photonic force onto the sample to agitate part of the sample
Implementation Method 2
optical coherence tomography (OCT) device that performs optical imaging of a sample based on optical interferometry from an optical sampling beam interacting with a sample and an optical reference beam
Implementation Method 3
an optical beam shaping module located in an optical path between the photonic-force light source and the sample to shape the optical actuation beam into a light-sheet to illuminate a region of the sample
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices and techniques based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology in combination with optical actuation. A system for providing optical actuation and optical sensing can include an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device that performs optical imaging of a sample based on optical interferometry from an optical sampling beam interacting with an optical sample and an optical reference beam; an OCT light source to provide an OCT imaging beam into the OCT device which splits the OCT imaging beam into the optical sampling beam and the optical reference beam; and a light source that produces an optical actuation beam that is coupled along with the optical sampling beam to be directed to the sample to actuate particles or structures in the sample so that the optical imaging captures information of the sample under the optical actuation.