Optical Tomography Reference Position Adjustment via Sheath Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical tomographic image acquisition techniques fail to accurately set the reference position for optical tomographic images due to interference signals being detected at incorrect locations within the optical probe, such as the lens system rather than the window incident point, leading to inappropriate adjustment of the optical tomographic image reference position.
Innovation Solution
An optical tomographic image acquisition apparatus that includes a light source unit, a light dividing device, a projecting device, a combining device, an interference light detecting device, and a reference position adjustment section, which detects sheath interference signals from the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of a tubular sheath to accurately adjust the optical tomographic image reference position by shifting the frequency of the interference light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical path length is adjusted by moving a reflection mirror to match the reference light at the window incident point, then the optical path length matching is improved, but the reference position detection becomes unreliable due to interference signals from other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sheath as an intermediary object to detect interference signals. By detecting interference signals from the sheath's inner and outer peripheral surfaces, the system can reliably determine the reference position without being affected by interference signals from other optical components like lenses. The sheath acts as a known reference object that provides distinguishable interference patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful interference signals from optical components into useful information by detecting interference signals from the sheath surfaces. Instead of treating all interference signals as noise to be eliminated, the system identifies and utilizes interference signals from the sheath's known surfaces to establish accurate reference positions, turning a potential problem into a solution.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If interference signals from various components within the optical probe are detected, then signal acquisition capability is improved, but the ability to identify the correct reference position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interference signal detection process into specific targets: the inner peripheral surface and outer peripheral surface of the sheath. By focusing detection on these specific segmented surfaces rather than all possible interference sources, the system can reliably identify reference positions while maintaining good signal acquisition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the detection system serve different functions. The sheath's inner and outer surfaces are specifically designed to provide distinguishable interference patterns at different frequencies, allowing the system to identify reference positions accurately by analyzing the local interference characteristics of these specific surfaces.
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 apparatus reliably detects sheath interference signals, allowing for precise adjustment of the optical tomographic image reference position, ensuring accurate acquisition of optical tomographic images by distinguishing between interference signals from the sheath surfaces and those from the object being measured.
Implementation Method 1
an interference light detecting device which detects interference light between the reflected light and the reference light combined by the combining device
Implementation Method 2
an interference light detecting device which detects interference light between the reflected light and the reference light combined by the combining device
Data Source
AI summary
An optical tomographic image acquisition apparatus includes a light source unit emitting light; a light dividing device dividing the light from the unit into measurement light and reference light; a projecting device arranged inside a tubular sheath to project the measurement light onto an object; a combining device combining reflected light reflected from the object or the sheath and the reference light; an interference light detecting device detecting interference light between the reflected light and the reference light; an interference signal acquiring device acquiring an interference signal; a tomographic image acquiring device acquiring an optical tomographic image; and a reference position adjustment section detecting a sheath interference signal that is an interference signal of the reflected light reflected from the sheath from the interference signals and adjusts an optical tomographic image reference position as a reference to acquire the optical tomographic image based on the detected sheath interference signal.