Optical Coherence Tomography Device Beam Separation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical coherence tomography devices face challenges in achieving both wide range measurement and flow part discrimination with minimal configuration modification, leading to increased size and cost when separate configurations are used for each function.
Innovation Solution
An optical coherence tomography device that splits a laser light source into multiple beams, allowing for simultaneous irradiation of different positions on a measurement target for wide range measurement and controlled re-irradiation of the same area for flow part discrimination, using a mechanism to adjust the distance between object light beams for both functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate configurations are used for wide range measurement and flow part discrimination, then both functions can be achieved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single OCT device configuration that can perform both wide range measurement and flow part discrimination functions by controlling the separation distance between object light beams. The irradiation optical system adjusts the beam separation distance to switch between measurement modes, eliminating the need for separate device configurations and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functional versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the separation distance between object light beams to switch between different measurement functions. The irradiation optical system can change the beam separation distance in real-time, allowing the same hardware configuration to adapt between wide range measurement mode (larger separation) and flow part discrimination mode (smaller separation), thereby achieving multi-functionality without increasing device size
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate configurations are used for wide range measurement and flow part discrimination, then both functions can be achieved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single OCT device configuration that can perform both wide range measurement and flow part discrimination functions by controlling the separation distance between object light beams. The irradiation optical system adjusts the beam separation distance to switch between measurement modes, eliminating the need for separate device configurations and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functional versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of wide range measurement and flow part discrimination into a single device configuration. By combining both measurement capabilities in one system with a controllable beam separation mechanism, the patent eliminates the need for separate devices, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining both functions
3Productivity
If multiple object light beams are used for wide range measurement, then measurement speed increases, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement task into multiple parallel object light beams that simultaneously irradiate different positions on the measurement target. This segmentation of the measurement function across multiple beams enables wide range measurement at high speed by processing multiple spatial locations concurrently, thereby improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The irradiation optical system is designed to handle multiple object light beams with adjustable separation distances, allowing the same system to perform both wide range measurement (multiple beams at larger separation) and flow part discrimination (multiple beams at smaller separation). This universal design approach maintains measurement speed while avoiding additional configuration 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
Enables both wide range measurement at high speed and flow part discrimination with minimal configuration changes, reducing the device's size and cost by utilizing a single configuration for multiple functions.
Implementation Method 1
A wavelength-swept laser light source 101 generates a wavelength-swept optical pulse
Implementation Method 2
Light emitted from the wavelength-swept laser light source 101 is split into a plurality of light beams by an optical splitting device 111
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of light beams are split into an object light beam and a reference beam by each of a plurality of beam splitting/combining devices 104
Implementation Method 4
the plurality of object light beams pass through a fiber collimator 105 and an irradiation optical system 106, and a measurement target 120 is irradiated with the plurality of object light beams and scanned
Implementation Method 5
an object light beam and a reference beam interfere with each other, and thereby interference light is acquired
Implementation Method 6
a measurement value of interference light intensity is acquired by photoelectric conversion in a balanced photodetector 102
Implementation Method 7
three-dimensional structural data is calculated in a control unit 110 by performing Fourier transform on an interference light spectrum
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An optical coherence tomography device is provided which, with minimal configuration modification, achieves the functions of both wide range measurement and flow section discrimination measurement. This optical coherence tomography device is provided with a split beam generating means which splits a beam emitted from a single light source into at least four split beams and outputs these, a measurement beam irradiating means which irradiates measurement beams, which are at least two of the at least four split beams, onto different positions of a measurement target through a mechanism that can change the position of said measurement beams on the measurement target, a reference beam irradiating means which irradiates at least two of the at least four split beams that are not the measurement beams onto a reference beam mirror as reference beams, and an optical spectrum data generating means which acquires depth-direction structural data about the measurement target from interference light obtained by causing one of the reference beams reflected by the reference beam mirror to interfere with each of the measurement beams reflected or scattered by the measurement target.