Multiple Beam Optical Coherence Tomography System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems face challenges in increasing imaging speeds beyond 1 megahertz, and current methods for using multiple beams are limited by complex systems and manual efforts for precise optical delay control.
Innovation Solution
A system for multiple beam optical coherence tomography is developed, featuring a sample arm and a reference arm, each with a splitter and multiple optical fibers, allowing for simultaneous emission and detection of multiple beams, and a detector configured to output OCT data indicative of the sample structure at multiple locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sweep speed of the light source is increased to improve imaging speed, then imaging rate is improved, but system complexity and technical challenges increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging task into multiple parallel channels, each processing a different lateral position simultaneously. Instead of increasing the sweep speed of a single channel beyond 1 MHz, the system uses multiple channels (e.g., 4 channels) operating at lower speeds (e.g., 250 kHz each) to achieve the same effective imaging rate, thereby avoiding the technical challenges of ultra-high-speed single-channel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple interferometers into a single integrated system that shares common components such as the light source, detector, and processing electronics. This merging approach allows parallel processing of multiple beams while reducing overall system complexity compared to having completely separate interferometer systems for each channel.
2Productivity
If the number of beams is increased to improve imaging speed, then effective sampling speed is improved, but system complexity increases due to separate interferometers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal interferometer system that can simultaneously handle multiple beams through a single integrated optical path. The system uses beam splitting and combining optics to route multiple lateral positions through shared interferometric components, allowing one system to perform multiple imaging functions in parallel without requiring separate interferometers for each beam.
3Measurement precision
If precise optical delay control is implemented for each channel using integrated photonic devices, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces movable mirrors or delay lines as intermediary components that provide precise optical delay control for each channel without requiring complex integrated photonic devices. These mechanical intermediaries allow independent adjustment of optical path lengths for each beam channel, achieving the necessary precision for coherent imaging while maintaining ease of manufacturing and alignment.
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 achieves higher imaging rates by capturing information from multiple beams simultaneously, overcoming the limitations of previous technologies and enabling more efficient interrogation of larger areas and sample motion.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical fiber comprising a proximal end optically coupled to the light source and a distal end, a first splitter optically coupled to the distal end of the first optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
a first splitter optically coupled to the distal end of the first optical fiber and optically coupled to a proximal end of each of a first plurality of optical fibers
Implementation Method 3
a first plurality of optical components configured to: receive from the plurality of optical fibers a respective plurality of beams, cause the plurality of beams to be emitted toward a sample
Implementation Method 4
receive a plurality of backscattered light samples from the sample, wherein the plurality of backscattered light samples are spatially separated
Implementation Method 5
combine each of the plurality of backscattered light samples with a beam emitted by a corresponding optical fiber of the second plurality of optical fibers yielding a plurality of fringes
Implementation Method 6
combine each of the plurality of backscattered light samples with a beam emitted by a corresponding optical fiber of the second plurality of optical fibers yielding a plurality of fringes
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and media for multiple beam optical coherence tomography are provided which, in some embodiments, include: a light source; a splitter that outputs a fraction of light to various waveguides; optical components that receive light from the waveguides and direct the light as beams that simultaneously impinge a sample at different lateral positions, and collect backscattered light from the lateral positons; another splitter that outputs a fraction of light to waveguides of a reference arm as reference light samples; a mixer that receives the backscattered light samples and the reference light samples, and combines each backscattered sample with a corresponding reference sample such that the mixer outputs fringes; and a detector that receives the fringes, and outputs OCT signals, each indicative of a structure of the sample at a respective lateral position.