Reconfigurable Optical Coherence Tomography System for Coronary and Peripheral Vessel Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomedical imaging technologies, such as MRI and ultrasound, often fail to provide high-resolution images required for diagnostic purposes, particularly for conditions like coronary artery disease, necessitating invasive procedures, and existing OCT systems require separate setups for coronary and peripheral vessel imaging due to trade-offs between coherence length and sweep rates.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable optical coherence tomography (OCT) system that can switch between two imaging modes by altering light source parameters and sampling schemes, allowing a single apparatus to optimize for both coronary and peripheral vessel imaging without the need for separate systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single OCT system is used for both coronary and peripheral imaging, then device versatility is improved, but the system cannot simultaneously optimize for both imaging modes due to trade-offs between coherence length and sweep rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of the OCT system by switching between different light sources (swept-source laser and superluminescent diode) and adjusting sampling parameters based on the required imaging mode. This allows the system to adapt its characteristics in real-time to match the specific requirements of coronary or peripheral vessel imaging, resolving the contradiction between versatility and optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters including light source type, coherence length, sweep rate, and sampling frequency according to the imaging mode. For coronary imaging, it uses high sweep rate with lower coherence length, while for peripheral imaging, it uses lower sweep rate with higher coherence length, thereby optimizing performance for each specific application.
2Reliability
If separate OCT systems are used for coronary and peripheral imaging, then each system can be optimized for its specific imaging requirements, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal OCT system that can perform both coronary and peripheral vessel imaging by incorporating multiple light sources and reconfigurable sampling schemes. This single system replaces the need for separate dedicated systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining optimization for each imaging mode through software-controlled parameter adjustment.
3Productivity
If high sweep rate is used for coronary imaging, then imaging speed is improved to avoid ischemia, but coherence length decreases limiting penetration depth
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects different light sources based on imaging requirements. For high-speed coronary imaging, it activates the swept-source laser with high sweep rate, accepting the trade-off in coherence length. For peripheral imaging requiring deeper penetration, it switches to the superluminescent diode with longer coherence length, thereby optimizing the balance between imaging speed and penetration depth for each application.
4Length of moving object
If low sweep rate is used for peripheral imaging, then coherence length is improved for better penetration, but imaging speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the sweep rate parameter based on the specific imaging mode. For peripheral vessel imaging, it employs lower sweep rates to maximize coherence length and penetration depth, while for coronary imaging, it increases the sweep rate to achieve higher imaging speeds. This parameter adaptation allows the single system to optimize performance for each imaging scenario independently.
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 of both coronary and peripheral vessels using a single OCT system, reducing the need for invasive procedures and improving diagnostic capabilities while maintaining patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
depth-resolved light reflection or Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) provides a high resolution imaging technique
Implementation Method 2
depth-resolved light reflection or Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) provides a high resolution imaging technique
Data Source
AI summary
The invention generally relates to an optical coherence tomography system that is reconfigurable between two different imaging modes and methods of use thereof.