Optical Probe Segmented Protective Tube for OCT Bending Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical probes for OCT measurements tend to fail when bent, leading to detachment of the tube covering the GRIN lens due to applied forces, resulting in decreased reflection efficiency and image quality, especially when inserted into curved blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
The optical probe design includes an optical fiber with a resin layer, a deflecting optical element with a larger diameter GRIN lens, a protective tube, and a jacketing tube that can freely rotate, ensuring the probe remains stable even when bent by maintaining adhesion and preventing unnecessary reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the optical probe is inserted into curved blood vessels, then the measurement capability is improved, but the tube covering the GRIN lens detaches due to applied forces
Solution Approach 1:
The protective tube is divided into two sections with different inner diameters: a first section covering the optical fiber with a smaller inner diameter, and a second section covering the deflecting optical element with a larger inner diameter. This segmentation allows each section to independently accommodate the respective component while maintaining stable adhesion under bending forces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the protective tube are designed with different internal dimensions to match the local geometry of the components they cover. The first section has a smaller inner diameter suited for the optical fiber, while the second section has a larger inner diameter suited for the deflecting optical element, ensuring optimal fit and adhesion at each location.
2Ease of operation
If the tube covering the GRIN lens is subjected to bending forces, then the probe can navigate curved vessels, but the tube detaches and reflection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective tube is segmented into two parts with different diameters, allowing the section covering the deflecting optical element to maintain proper alignment and adhesion even when the probe is bent, thereby preventing detachment and maintaining reflection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective tube acts as an intermediary structure that mechanically couples the optical fiber and deflecting optical element while accommodating bending forces. The differential diameter design allows the tube to flex without compromising the adhesion of either component.
3Reliability
If the deflecting optical element has a larger diameter than the optical fiber, then the tube adhesion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective tube is designed as a segmented structure with two distinct sections having different inner diameters. This segmentation, while adding structural complexity, provides a reliable solution for adhering to components of different sizes and maintains stability under bending forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective tube is constructed as a composite structure combining sections with different dimensional characteristics. This composite design allows the single tube to simultaneously accommodate both the optical fiber and the larger deflecting optical element with proper adhesion.
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 design prevents the tube from detaching and ensures stable operation of the optical probe when bent, maintaining image quality by reducing torque on the optical components and minimizing reflections.
Implementation Method 1
a second end face thereof has a normal vector in which the angle relative to the central axis is larger than the critical angle of total reflection
Implementation Method 2
the refractive-index profile is such that the refractive index gradually decreases as it is distanced from the central axis in a cross-section perpendicular to the central axis
Data Source
AI summary
An optical probe has an optical fiber, a deflecting element, and a protective tube. The optical fiber includes a glass filament having a first diameter for transmitting light between the proximal and distal ends thereof and a resin layer for covering the filament except for the distal end thereof. The deflecting element is made of glass in a circular form having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, and it is connected with the optical fiber and has an end-face having a normal vector whose angle relative to the central axis is larger than the critical angle. The protective tube surrounds a portion of the optical fiber and the entire length of the deflecting element and is adhered to the side of a deflecting optical element, whereas the inside diameter of the part covering the optical fiber is smaller than that of the part covering the deflecting element.