OCT Probe Planarizing Material for Mirror Artifact Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems face limitations in imaging depth and visibility issues due to light absorption and scattering in tissues, leading to mirror artifacts and difficulty in focusing and aligning the OCT probe, especially in turbid tissues like the brain, where near-infrared wavelengths are used but not visible to the human eye.
Innovation Solution
An OCT system incorporating a transparent material to planarize tissue at the scan plane, reducing mirror artifacts and eliminating the need for a visible laser to visualize the scan area, combined with a tracking device for precise positioning and navigation in three-dimensional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If near-infrared wavelength is used for OCT imaging on turbid tissue, then imaging depth and penetration are improved, but visibility of scanning area and laser spot size is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A visible laser is introduced as an intermediary element to provide visual feedback about the scanning area and laser spot size. The visible laser is coupled into the OCT system through a wavelength division multiplexing unit that allows both visible and NIR light to coexist in the same optical path, enabling surgeons to see the scan area while maintaining near-infrared imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits both visible light for visualization and near-infrared light for OCT imaging. The wavelength division multiplexing unit enables a single optical path to handle multiple wavelengths, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate optical paths
2Illumination intensity
If a visible laser is coupled into the OCT system to show scanning area, then visibility is improved, but power loss, increased optical noise, and reduced bandwidth occur
Solution Approach 1:
A wavelength division multiplexing unit is used as an intermediary component that selectively transmits different wavelengths through the same optical path. This allows the visible laser and NIR OCT light to coexist without interfering with each other, minimizing power loss and optical noise while maintaining both visibility and imaging functions
3Illumination intensity
If a visible laser is added to the OCT system, then visibility of scan area is improved, but system cost increases due to wavelength division multiplexing unit
Solution Approach 1:
The wavelength division multiplexing unit enables a single optical path to serve dual purposes: visible light for visualization and near-infrared light for OCT imaging. This multi-functional design allows one component to replace what would traditionally require separate optical paths, reducing overall system complexity and cost despite the addition of the multiplexing unit
4Manufacturing precision
If transparent material is used to planarize tissue, then mirror artifacts are reduced, but additional components and offset maintenance apparatus are required
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent planarizing material is introduced as an intermediary between the tissue and the OCT scan lens. This material flattens the tissue surface to eliminate mirror artifacts while maintaining optical transparency. The offset maintenance apparatus ensures the planarized tissue remains at the correct distance from the lens, providing a stable imaging interface
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
Enhances imaging clarity by reducing mirror artifacts and improving focusing and alignment of the OCT probe, allowing for more precise and minimally invasive surgical procedures with reduced trauma to brain tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent material configured to planarize tissue at a scan plane of the OCT scan lens
Implementation Method 2
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) enables imaging of tissue
Implementation Method 3
The OCT probe may further be tracked in a three dimensional space using a NIR navigation system through the addition of a tracking device onto the OCT probe
Data Source
AI summary
An optical coherence tomography (“OCT”) system that includes a planarizing transparent material is provided. The OCT system comprises: an OCT probe comprising: a body having a distal end and a proximal end; a positioner adapter located at the proximal end; a connector to an OCT analysis device, the connector located at the proximal end; and, an OCT scan lens located at the distal end; and, a transparent material configured to planarize tissue at a scan plane of the OCT scan lens.