Noise-Attenuating Collimator for Imaging Catheter Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging catheter systems, particularly those using double-clad fibers, suffer from noise in scanned images due to light coupling between the core and cladding, which affects the quality of optical coherence tomography and near-infrared fluorescence imaging.
Innovation Solution
A noise-attenuating collimator system utilizing a double-clad fiber with a larger diameter cladding and a refractive index profile that reduces light density in the cladding, either through a transparent tube with a resin layer or a housing with a second double-clad fiber, to minimize core-cladding coupling noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a double-clad fiber is used to transmit light in the imaging catheter system, then light transmission efficiency is improved, but noise is generated in the scanned images due to core-cladding coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the cladding layer from a portion of the double-clad fiber to create a coatingless region. This extraction eliminates the source of noise (the cladding) while preserving the light transmission function through the core, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining light transmission efficiency and eliminating noise in scanned images
Solution Approach 2:
The double-clad fiber is segmented into different regions: a coatingless region where the cladding is removed and a region where the cladding remains. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from the light transmission properties of the double-clad fiber while eliminating the noise-generating cladding in the critical measurement region
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the cladding of the double-clad fiber is removed to reduce noise, then noise in scanned images is reduced, but the fiber becomes more vulnerable to damage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the coatingless region of the double-clad fiber inside a transparent tube that is inserted into the collimator. This nested structure protects the vulnerable coatingless region from external damage and contamination while allowing light to pass through, thereby resolving the contradiction between reducing noise and maintaining fiber reliability
3Reliability
If a transparent tube with resin layer is used to protect the coatingless region, then fiber durability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent tube as an intermediary protective element between the coatingless fiber region and the external environment. This simple intermediary structure provides protection without significantly complicating the collimator design, as it essentially serves as a protective sheath that maintains the optical path
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the refractive index parameters by introducing a resin layer with a specific refractive index (lower than the transparent tube) to optimize light transmission and minimize additional reflections or refractions. This parameter optimization ensures that the protective structure does not degrade optical performance
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 solution effectively reduces noise in scanned images by lowering the light density guided through the cladding, improving image quality by attenuating noise and maintaining essential information, as demonstrated in optical coherence tomographic images.
Implementation Method 1
a first resin layer, which is coated on the exterior of the transparent tube, and of which the refractive index is lower than the refractive index of the transparent tube
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a collimator for reducing noise of a scanned image and an imaging catheter system comprising the same. The disclosed noise attenuation collimator comprises: a transparent tube having a diameter larger than a cladding diameter of double-clad fiber, wherein a coatingless region of the double-clad fiber is inserted into the transparent tube; and a first resin layer which is applied to an exterior of the transparent tube and has a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the transparent tube.