Smartphone OCT Attachment Using Segmented Probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems are large and not portable, limiting their use for handheld, self-contained three-dimensional imaging applications, particularly in medical and non-medical fields where a compact and mobile solution is needed.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a mobile device, such as a smartphone, equipped with a low-coherence light source, beam splitter, and steering optics to create a hand-held probe for OCT imaging, allowing for the derivation of depth information from interference fringes between the sample and reference paths without intervening dispersive elements, enabling 3-D imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional OCT systems are used, then imaging capability is achieved, but system size and portability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The OCT system is segmented into modular components: a handheld probe containing the light source and imaging optics, and a separate processing unit. This segmentation enables the imaging functionality to be concentrated in a compact handheld device while maintaining full imaging capability through wireless or wired connection to the processing unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld probe is designed as a universal platform that can be adapted for various OCT imaging applications by changing the optical probe or attachment, enabling multiple imaging functions from a single compact device while maintaining portability.
2Ease of operation
If OCT systems are made compact and portable, then accessibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are merged into the handheld probe including the light source, beam splitter, scanning optics, and detector, creating an integrated compact system that appears simple to operate while encapsulating complex functionality within the unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers serve as intermediaries to couple the handheld probe to external light sources or imaging units, allowing the probe itself to remain compact and simple while the complexity of high-power laser sources or complex processing can be located externally.
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 compact, handheld, and self-contained three-dimensional imaging capabilities, improving accessibility and usability in various applications by leveraging the resources of a mobile device, such as a smartphone, while maintaining high signal-to-noise ratios and dynamic range.
Implementation Method 1
a source of low-coherence light for emitting a low-coherence light beam... Light in the reference path and light scattered by the sample are characterized by respectively offset propagation vectors at incidence upon the camera... derive depth information from light scattered by the sample on the basis of interference fringes
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for tomographic imaging of a sample. Low-coherence light is split into a sample path and a reference path. A steering optic recombines light in the reference path with light scattered by a sample onto a camera having an areal focal plane array of detector elements such that light in the reference path and light scattered by the sample are characterized by respectively offset propagation vectors at incidence upon the camera. A processor derives depth information from light scattered by the sample on the basis of interference fringes between light in the reference path and light scattered by the sample. The apparatus tracks lateral motion and may be hand-held or attached to a mobile device such as a smartphone, thus enabling 3-D imaging with the mobile device.