Tilted Waveguide Endoscope Probe for High NA SEE
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forward-viewing spectrally encoded endoscopy (SEE) probes face challenges with limited numerical aperture (NA) at the detection side, leading to reduced resolution and increased complexity in fabrication, along with issues like cross-talk and loss of field of view due to limited NA and inefficient light collection.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a first waveguide enclosed within an inner sheath, with multiple second waveguides arranged around the distal end, each tilted at a predetermined angle to increase the effective numerical aperture and improve light collection efficiency by altering the distribution of collection efficiency across the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple second waveguides are arranged around the first waveguide with tilted axes, then the effective numerical aperture is increased and light collection efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is divided into multiple separate waveguides (first waveguide for illumination, multiple second waveguides for detection) arranged around the central axis. Each waveguide is tilted at a specific angle to collect light from different directions, segmenting the light collection task across multiple simple components rather than requiring a single complex high-NA optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguides are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration around the central axis rather than in a single plane. The tilted axes of the second waveguides introduce a angular dimension to the light collection geometry, enabling the system to capture light from multiple directions simultaneously and effectively increase the numerical aperture without adding optical components.
2Ease of operation
If conventional forward-viewing SEE probes use grisms with multiple components, then forward viewing capability is achieved, but fabrication complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the forward-viewing function from the complex grism assembly (grating + prisms) and implements it using simple tilted waveguides. The tilted second waveguides naturally direct collected light along the optical axis to the spectrometer, eliminating the need for separate grating and prism components while maintaining forward viewing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical alignment system (grisms requiring precise angular alignment) with a waveguide-based light transmission system. The tilted waveguides are easier to manufacture and assemble than precision optical components, and they inherently guide light along the optical axis without requiring complex alignment procedures.
3Loss of energy
If limited NA is used at the detection side, then coupling efficiency at spectrometer entrance is maintained, but field of view and resolution are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic light collection system where the tilted waveguides can be oriented at different angles to collect light from various directions. This angular flexibility allows the system to adapt to different field of view requirements while maintaining efficient coupling to the spectrometer, effectively decoupling the field of view from the NA limitation.
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 configuration enhances the field of view and collection efficiency, particularly at higher detection angles, while maintaining efficient coupling at the spectrometer entrance, thereby improving the overall performance of the SEE probe.
Implementation Method 1
a first waveguide enclosed within an inner sheath and extending from the proximal end to the distal end along an axis of the inner sheath; a plurality of second waveguides having at least the distal ends thereof arranged around the inner sheath to surround the distal end of the first waveguide
Implementation Method 2
at the distal end, the axis of each of the second waveguides is tilted with respect to the axis of the first waveguide by a predetermined angle
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic probe extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and configured to be inserted in a tubular lumen to observe a sample is disclosed. The probe includes a first waveguide enclosed within an inner sheath and extending from the proximal end to the distal end along an axis of the inner sheath; and a plurality of second waveguides having at least the distal ends thereof arranged in one or more rings around the inner sheath to surround the distal end of the first waveguide. At the distal end, the axis of each of the second waveguides is tilted with respect to the axis of the first waveguide by a tilt angle which can be adjustable. This novel endoscopic probe has a resultant numerical aperture larger than the numerical aperture of each of the second waveguides, and it may be applicable to forward-viewing spectrally encoded endoscopes (SEE).