Integrated Microendoscopic Probe with Plate-Shaped Proximal Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microendoscopic optical systems face challenges with optical aberrations, handling difficulties, and reduced usable length due to clamping and support systems, which hinder high-resolution imaging and increase manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated optical system with a distal microendoscopic probe and a plate-shaped proximal element connected via an optically transparent adhesive, allowing for easy handling and alignment, and enabling full penetration depth without clamps, while reducing optical aberrations through a corrective lens integrated on the transparent support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If clamps or holders are used to support and align the optical system, then the optical system can be positioned and aligned with the microscope objective, but the usable length of the optical system is reduced by the thickness of the clamping or holding mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support function and alignment function directly into the optical system components themselves. The distal probe and proximal element are designed to be self-supporting and self-aligning, eliminating the need for separate clamps or holders. This integration allows the full length of the optical system to be used for imaging while maintaining proper positioning and alignment capabilities.
2Ease of manufacture
If the optical system is made shorter to reduce manufacturing costs, then the cost decreases, but the resolution and numerical aperture are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into two separate elements: a distal microendoscopic probe and a proximal plate-shaped element. This segmentation allows each element to be optimized independently for its specific function, enabling cost-effective manufacturing while maintaining high resolution. The distal probe can be simpler and shorter, while the proximal element provides the necessary optical correction and interface capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If GRIN lenses with high numerical aperture are used to increase resolution, then the resolution improves, but significant spherical aberrations are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the aberration correction function from the distal probe and places it in the separate proximal plate-shaped element. This allows the distal probe to use high numerical aperture GRIN lenses for maximum resolution without being burdened by aberration correction complexity, while the proximal element provides the necessary aberration compensation through its corrective lens.
4Manufacturing precision
If a corrective lens is implemented on the optical system to reduce aberrations, then the optical quality improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optically transparent adhesive layer between the distal probe and proximal element that serves as the mounting medium for the corrective lens. This adhesive layer simplifies the manufacturing process by providing a straightforward method to integrate the corrective lens into the proximal element, avoiding complex assembly procedures while maintaining optical quality.
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 system facilitates easy handling and alignment, maximizes usable length for imaging, and reduces manufacturing costs by simplifying the assembly and alignment process, while minimizing optical aberrations and maintaining high-resolution imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Between the optically usable output area of the probe and an input optical interface region of the plate-shaped, optically transparent support an optically transparent adhesive is directly interposed
Implementation Method 2
cylindrical GRIN lenses (i.e. lenses having a gradual refraction index along the cylinder's radial direction)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 4a
AI summary
The integrated optical system (100, 100', 100'', 100''') comprises a distal microendoscopic probe (102) having a prevalently longitudinal extension, capable of penetrating into a tissue to be observed, through which light radiations, directed towards the tissue and/or coming from the tissue, are able to pass; and a substantially plate-shaped proximal element (104), which is integral with the probe (102) and extends transversally to said probe (102). The element (104) can be coupled to a frame (16) of a microscopic investigation apparatus (10), and is optically transparent at least in an input optical interface region (104a) towards which the optically usable output area (102a) of the probe (102) faces. Between the optically usable area (102a) and the input interface region (104a) an optically transparent adhesive (105) is directly interposed, which constrains the probe (102) securely to the element (104). The probe (102) has an elongated body (106) comprising a lens with microfabricated aspherical curvature.