Spectrally Encoded Endoscopy Using Diffractive Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies face challenges in achieving high-quality, minimally invasive imaging due to size constraints and limitations in frame rate with fiber bundle endoscopes, particularly in requiring rapid lateral scanning, which restricts the use of ultra-miniature endoscopic probes for clinical applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of spectrally encoded endoscopy using a single optical fiber and miniature diffractive optics, allowing for slow axis scanning and enabling high-quality, video-rate three-dimensional imaging and Doppler imaging through ultra-miniature endoscopic probes by encoding transverse reflections and using a light transmission and collection path arrangement that are optically isolated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If fiber bundle endoscopes are used for imaging, then imaging quality can be maintained, but the number of imaging fibers must be reduced due to size constraints, which limits the frame rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system with spectral encoding using diffractive optics. Instead of rapidly moving the probe laterally to capture different spatial positions, the system uses a diffraction grating to encode spatial information into spectral domains. This substitution of mechanical scanning with optical spectral encoding eliminates the frame rate limitation imposed by mechanical scanning speed while maintaining miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the problem from the spatial domain to the spectral domain. By using diffractive optics to encode transverse spatial reflections into spectral information, the system maps spatial dimensions onto the spectral dimension. This dimensional transformation allows high-quality imaging without requiring rapid lateral scanning, thus resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and frame rate.
2Productivity
If rapid lateral scanning is performed to maintain frame rate, then productivity is improved, but this requires complex scanning mechanisms that increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical scanning mechanisms by replacing them with a spectral encoding approach using diffractive optics. The diffraction grating encodes spatial information directly into the spectral domain without requiring any moving parts or scanning mechanisms, thereby maintaining high frame rates while dramatically reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the optical properties of the diffractive element to automatically encode spatial information into spectral domains without requiring external control or mechanical actuation. The spectral encoding process is self-service, occurring passively as light interacts with the diffractive optics, eliminating the need for complex scanning control systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ultra-miniature endoscopic probes are used, then tissue damage is minimized, but the number of imaging fibers is reduced, limiting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses spectral encoding to map spatial information from multiple fiber positions into the spectral domain. By encoding transverse reflections from multiple locations along the fiber into distinct spectral signatures, the system recovers high-quality spatial information from a reduced number of physical fibers, thereby maintaining image quality while minimizing tissue damage through ultra-miniature probe design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the imaging system by using low coherence interferometry to measure optical path length differences with high precision. This parameter change enables the system to extract detailed spatial and spectral information from minimal fiber inputs, maintaining measurement precision despite the reduced number of imaging fibers in ultra-miniature probes.
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 approach enables high-quality imaging of tissue structures and subsurface features, as well as Doppler imaging of acoustic vibrations and flow, while minimizing tissue damage and maintaining high frame rates, even with reduced fiber counts in endoscopic probes.
Implementation Method 1
a diffractive element which spectrally disperses at least one of the light and the spectrally encoded portion
Implementation Method 2
a light collection waveguide which propagates a spectrally encoded portion of the light from the target object to a detector
Implementation Method 3
a light transmission waveguide for propagating the broadband light to illuminate the target object
Implementation Method 4
The light transmission path arrangement and the light collection path arrangement are optically isolated from one another
Data Source
AI summary
A spectrally encoded imaging device having a light transmission path arrangement which propagates light to illuminate a target object, a light collection path arrangement having a light collection waveguide which propagates a spectrally encoded portion of the light from the target object to a detector which forms an image of the target object accordingly, and a diffractive element which spectrally disperses at least one of the light and the spectrally encoded portion. The light transmission path arrangement and the light collection path arrangement are optically isolated from one another.