Extended-Source OCT Illumination for Sensitivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems, specifically spectral-domain OCT, are limited by sensitivity, which restricts their ability to provide diagnostic information due to maximum permissible exposure constraints, preventing deep tissue visualization and leading to inferior image quality and potential clinical misinterpretation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an extended-source illumination pattern with multiple spectral bands, which increases the angular subtense beyond the minimum permissible limit, allowing for higher radiant exposure and improved sensitivity while maintaining safe exposure levels, enabling deeper tissue penetration and higher image acquisition rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a small-source illumination pattern is used to comply with laser safety regulations, then the angular subtense remains below the minimum permissible limit, but the sensitivity is limited and deep tissue visualization is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination pattern is segmented into multiple spectral bands, with each band directed to a different section of the sample. This segmentation allows the system to use an extended source with higher total power while maintaining safe irradiance levels in each individual spectral band, thereby improving sensitivity without violating laser safety regulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a point-source illumination in one dimension to an extended-source illumination pattern distributed across multiple spectral bands and spatial sections. This dimensional expansion allows the system to increase the angular subtense beyond the minimum permissible limit while maintaining safe exposure levels through spectral and spatial distribution.
2Reliability
If the angular subtense is increased beyond the minimum permissible limit, then the maximum permissible exposure is increased and sensitivity is improved, but the irradiance levels may exceed safe limits
Solution Approach 1:
The total illumination is segmented across multiple spectral bands, with each band illuminating a different section of the sample. This allows the angular subtense to be increased for higher sensitivity while the irradiance in each individual spectral band remains within safe limits, resolving the contradiction between sensitivity improvement and safe irradiance levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the illumination by distributing power across multiple spectral bands rather than concentrating it in a single band. This parameter change allows the system to achieve higher total power (increased angular subtense) while maintaining safe irradiance levels in each spectral component, thereby improving sensitivity without exceeding safe exposure limits.
3Reliability
If the radiant exposure is increased to improve sensitivity, then deeper tissue penetration is achieved, but the exposure may exceed maximum permissible limits
Solution Approach 1:
The radiant exposure is segmented across multiple spectral bands, with each band contributing to the total sensitivity improvement. This segmentation allows the system to achieve deeper tissue penetration through increased total power while ensuring that the exposure in each individual spectral band remains within maximum permissible limits, resolving the contradiction between sensitivity and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds spectral dimensionality to the illumination approach, distributing the radiant exposure across multiple wavelength bands. This allows the system to increase the total energy delivered to the tissue for deeper penetration while maintaining safe exposure levels in each spectral band, effectively resolving the contradiction between sensitivity improvement and exposure safety.
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
This approach enhances the sensitivity of OCT systems, allowing for deeper tissue visualization and improved image quality, overcoming the limitations of existing systems by increasing the maximum permissible exposure and maintaining safe irradiance levels.
Implementation Method 1
an extended-source illumination pattern with multiple spectral bands, which increases the angular subtense beyond the minimum permissible limit
Implementation Method 2
the optics arrangement is further configured to form an interference signal from a sample light comprising respective return lights from respective sections of the sample illuminated by respective spectral bands
Data Source
AI summary
According to embodiments of the present invention, an optical imaging device is provided. The optical imaging device includes an optics arrangement configured to generate an extended-source illumination pattern including a plurality of separate spectral bands, and to illuminate a respective section of a sample to be imaged with a respective spectral band of the plurality of separate spectral bands, wherein the optics arrangement is further configured to form an interference signal from a sample light comprising respective return lights from respective sections of the sample illuminated by respective spectral bands of the extended-source illumination pattern, and a reference light, and a detector configured to receive the interference signal for generating an image corresponding to the sections of the sample. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method for imaging a sample and a method for generating an image are also provided.