Reflective Optical Objective for Endomicroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endomicroscopy systems face limitations in achieving high-resolution imaging of large tissue areas while maintaining a small device size, leading to trade-offs between image resolution and field of view, and struggles with imaging depth in vivo, which hampers accurate tumor staging and medical diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized reflective optical objective with low chromatic and spherical aberrations, capable of parallel imaging, is developed, allowing for high-resolution imaging of large areas with improved device-to-field-of-view ratio and increased imaging depth, utilizing an array of reflective elements that support efficient fluorescence excitation and collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard refractive optics are used for high-resolution scanning fluorescence microscopy, then image resolution is improved, but field of view decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple independent reflective microlenses arranged in an array. Each microlens acts as a separate imaging element with its own focal point, enabling parallel imaging of multiple regions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high resolution at each focal point while collectively covering a large field of view through the array of elements.
2Area of stationary object
If focusing optics size is increased to improve field of view, then device dimension to field of view ratio improves, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single large focusing optic to a two-dimensional array of small reflective microlenses. By distributing the imaging function across multiple small elements in the lateral dimension, the system achieves a large effective field of view without increasing the device footprint. The array configuration allows parallel light collection from multiple areas simultaneously.
3Use of energy by moving object
If refractive lenses are used for focusing light into tissue, then fluorescence excitation is achieved, but chromatic and spherical aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces refractive lenses with reflective microlenses. The reflective surfaces focus light through reflection rather than refraction, eliminating chromatic aberration since reflection wavelength-independence. The reflective design also reduces spherical aberration by allowing precise control of the focal point geometry, thereby improving optical signal quality while maintaining fluorescence excitation efficiency.
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 solution enables high-resolution imaging of large tissue areas with reduced device size, enhancing medical utility for live-histology and tumor staging, while minimizing optical signal loss and aberrations, thus improving diagnostic capabilities in endomicroscopy.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflecting element (3) including a convex reflecting surface (11a) or a flat reflecting surface (11b)
Implementation Method 2
a second reflecting element (5) including a concave reflecting surface (13) facing the convex reflecting surface (11a) or the flat reflecting surface (11b) of the first reflecting element (3)
Implementation Method 3
a transmissive section (7) arranged between the first reflecting element (3) and the second reflecting element (5) and configured to transmit the electromagnetic radiation (12)
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a reflective optical objective (1) comprising: - a first reflecting element (3) including a front surface (3a) and a back surface (3b), the front surface (3a) including a convex reflecting surface (11); and - a second reflecting element (5) including a concave reflecting surface (13) facing the convex reflecting surface (11) of the first reflecting element (3), the second reflecting element (5) including a transmissive section (7) permitting electromagnetic radiation to pass through the concave reflecting surface (13) of the second reflecting element (5) to the first reflecting element (3). The reflective optical objective (1) is characterised in that the reflective optical objective (1) includes a carrier material (9) embedding at least the front surface (3a) of the first reflecting element (3) and defining the distance (d) between the first (3) and second (5) reflecting elements.