Multicore Fiber Endoscope Imaging Resolution and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope operations face challenges in illumination, detection, and treatment due to confined long and narrow modes, with existing fiber-based endoscope technologies lacking in flexibility and efficiency in capturing high-resolution images and performing treatments effectively.
Innovation Solution
Multicore fiber endoscopes with hundreds to thousands of cores, configured for far-field or near-field imaging, incorporating optical elements at the distal tip or lacking them, and utilizing flexible polymer materials to enhance field of view, depth of field, and resolution, with features like super-resolution methods and wavefront sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional single-core or few-core fiber endoscopes are used, then the device structure is simple, but the imaging resolution and field of view are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope imaging fiber is divided into hundreds or thousands of individual cores, each acting as an independent light transmission channel. This segmentation enables high-resolution imaging by capturing spatial information through multiple discrete paths, transforming a single complex function into many simpler parallel functions.
2Ease of operation
If rigid fiber endoscopes are used, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility and ability to navigate narrow body passages are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope incorporates a flexible polymer coating or cladding structure that allows the fiber bundle to bend and navigate narrow body passages while maintaining the structural integrity of the individual cores. The flexible outer layer protects the rigid core structure while enabling mechanical flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fiber endoscopes with working channels are used, then treatment capabilities are enabled, but the imaging area and field of view are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope design nests the working channel within the fiber bundle structure, allowing treatment instruments to pass through the center of the imaging fiber array. This nested configuration enables both imaging and treatment functions to coexist in the same device without significantly compromising the imaging area.
4Ease of operation
If lens-based imaging systems are used, then ease of focusing is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope extracts the focusing function from traditional lens-based systems and implements it through optical code division multiplexing and digital signal processing. By removing the physical lens from the distal tip and using computational methods, the device achieves focusing capability without the associated size and complexity.
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 multicore fiber endoscopes provide high-resolution imaging, flexible operation, and enhanced treatment capabilities, including three-dimensional sensing and diagnostic feedback, overcoming limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
Fiber optics technology is a central enabler for such techniques
Implementation Method 2
The lenslet input assembly focuses light onto the core of each optical fiber in the coherent bundle
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
Endoscopes, multicore endoscope fibers and configuration and operation methods are provided. The fibers may have hundreds or thousands of cores and possibly incorporate working channel(s) and additional fibers. The fiber may be used at different optical configurations to capture images of tissue and objects at the distal tip and to enhance a wide range of optical characteristics of the images such as resolution, field of view, depth of field, wavelength ranges etc. Near-field imaging as well as far-field imaging may be implemented in the endoscopes and the respective optical features may be utilized to optimize imaging. Optical elements may be used at the distal fiber tip, or the distal fiber tip may be lens-less. Diagnostics and optical treatment feedback loops may be implemented and illumination may be adapted to yield full color images, depth estimation, enhanced field of views and/or depths of field, and additional diagnostic data.