Optical Tomographic Imaging System with Dynamic Reference Position Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical tomographic imaging systems using Swept Source OCT with long coherence length face challenges in maintaining image quality due to decreasing interference intensity with distance from the zero path position, resulting in variable resolution across measurement regions, especially in medical diagnostics where depth of interest varies.
Innovation Solution
An optical tomographic imaging system that switches the reference position between the inner and outer edges of the measurement range using a wavelength-swept light source, allowing for high-resolution imaging across the entire measurable range by acquiring and synthesizing tomographic images at multiple reference positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the measurement region is far from the zero path position, then the measurable range is extended, but the interference intensity decreases resulting in inferior image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching of the zero path position between inner edge and outer edge of the measurement range. The optical path length switching unit allows the system to adaptively change the reference position based on the measurement requirements, enabling high-resolution imaging at different depths by selecting appropriate zero path positions during the measurement process.
2Device complexity
If a single zero path position is used, then the system structure is simple, but the resolution varies across different depth regions
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates an optical path length switching unit that enables dynamic adjustment of the zero path position between inner and outer edges of the measurement range. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain high resolution across different depth regions by selecting the appropriate reference position, while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through the use of switching mechanisms rather than multiple complete systems.
3Length of stationary object
If the reference optical path is changed in stages to extend measurement range, then the measurable depth is increased, but the measurement time and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements rapid switching between different zero path positions using an optical path length switching unit, allowing the system to extend the measurable depth range without requiring slow mechanical movement of optical components. The switching mechanism enables quick transitions between reference positions, significantly reducing the time penalty associated with extended measurement ranges compared to traditional stage-by-stage reference path adjustment methods.
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 high-resolution imaging regardless of the measurement region's position, improving image quality and user-friendliness by automatically adjusting the zero path position based on the measurement area, thus overcoming the limitations of variable coherence length and distance-dependent resolution.
Implementation Method 1
optical tomographic imaging system that employs Swept Source OCT... using a wavelength-swept light source
Implementation Method 2
The OCT measuring is a kind of optical interferometric measurement using the optical interference that occurs only when the optical path lengths of the measuring light and the reference light... are matched to within the coherence length of the light from the light source
Implementation Method 3
measuring the intensity of the interference light of each frequency component so as to obtain the Fourier transform of the spectral interference waveform
Data Source
AI summary
This optical tomographic imaging system comprises an optical path length adjustor configured to set a first reference position of a measurement depth direction to an inner edge of a measurement range by adjusting an optical path length of a reference light, and an optical path length switching unit having a preset optical path length that provides a second reference position differing in measurement depth from the first reference position by a predetermined amount and configured to change the optical path length of the reference light or the optical path length of the reflected light adjusted by the optical path length adjustor so as to switch between the first reference position and the second reference position. This system is capable of measuring a measurement region of interest at high resolution, regardless of the position (depth) of the measurement region of interest, in an SS-OCT employing a wavelength-swept light source.