Aberration-Corrected Optical Probe with Spacer and Prism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical probes for esophageal imaging using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) face challenges in achieving a short working distance with a large confocal parameter, which is essential for effective imaging, due to manufacturing difficulties and tight tolerances required for specific optical parameters.
Innovation Solution
An optical probe design featuring a GRIN lens and a prism separated by a spacer, allowing for aberration correction and easier manufacturing with lower tolerances, while maintaining a short working distance and large confocal parameter, is introduced. The spacer is often made of fused silica and connected to the lens and prism using epoxy to reduce Fresnel reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a GRIN lens is connected directly to the distal end of the optical fiber, then the probe structure is simple, but the working distance is too long and confocal parameter is insufficient for deep tissue imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The probe structure is segmented into distinct components: optical fiber, GRIN lens, spacer, and prism. The spacer separates the lens from the prism, allowing independent optimization of each component's position and function to achieve the desired optical parameters for deep tissue imaging
Solution Approach 2:
A spacer is introduced as an intermediary element between the GRIN lens and the prism. This spacer enables precise control of the distance between optical components, achieving the required short working distance and large confocal parameter while maintaining structural integrity
2Ease of manufacture
If the lens and prism are connected directly, then manufacturing is easier, but optical aberrations cannot be corrected and tolerances are tight
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the optical path into separate components (lens, spacer, prism) with standardized interfaces, the manufacturing complexity is distributed across components rather than requiring tight tolerances on a single integrated structure, making assembly easier while maintaining optical precision
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer acts as a mediator that decouples the positional and orientational tolerances between the lens and prism. This allows each component to be manufactured and assembled with relaxed tolerances while the spacer ensures the correct optical path geometry is achieved
3Length of moving object
If a short working distance is achieved, then imaging depth is sufficient, but the confocal parameter becomes too small for effective imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The optical parameters (working distance and confocal parameter) are controlled by changing the physical dimensions of the spacer and the geometric configuration of the prism. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves both short working distance and large confocal parameter simultaneously, enabling deep tissue imaging with adequate focus depth
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 design enables effective imaging deep into tissue with a short working distance and large confocal parameter, improving imaging capabilities in esophageal applications while simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The spacer is often made of fused silica and connected to the lens and prism using epoxy to reduce Fresnel reflections
Data Source
AI summary
An optical probe is provided. The optical probe includes a lens extending along an axis between a first end and a second end. A spacer extends along the axis between a first end and a second end. The first end of the spacer is connected to the second end of the lens. A prism is connected to the second end of the spacer such that the prism is spaced apart from the lens by the spacer.