Method for operating an optical tomographic imaging apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Artifacts caused by reflections or scatterings at boundary surfaces of optical parts in optical tomographic imaging apparatuses, such as SS-OCT, degrade image clarity and hinder accurate diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
An optical tomographic imaging apparatus with a splitter to separate light into first and second beams, an optical distance adjustment unit using a movable reference mirror, an interference unit for interference light generation, a detection unit for signal conversion, a Fourier transform unit, an image processing unit to delete artifacts, and a control unit to manage these components, along with specific steps to adjust optical distances and process images to remove artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple optical parts are incorporated in the optical probe to enable tomographic imaging, then imaging capability is improved, but artifacts are generated due to light reflection and scattering at boundary surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful artifact signals from the detected light signals through signal processing. The artifact removal unit specifically identifies and eliminates signals originating from boundary surfaces of optical parts, separating them from the useful tissue imaging signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage between light detection and image formation. The artifact removal unit acts as an intermediary that processes the detected signals, removing harmful components while preserving useful information before generating the final tomographic image.
2Device complexity
If artifacts are not removed from the tomographic image, then image processing is simpler, but image clarity and diagnostic accuracy are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs artifact removal as a preliminary action during the image processing stage. By removing artifacts before final image display, the system ensures high image clarity without requiring complex hardware modifications, maintaining relative simplicity while achieving diagnostic-quality images.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the optical distance of reference light is adjusted to be shorter than reflected light, then artifacts are reduced and fitted inside tube image, but additional adjustment steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical distance parameter of the reference light path, making it shorter than the reflected light path. This parameter adjustment causes artifacts to be positioned inside the tube image rather than overlapping tissue structures, reducing their harmful effect while maintaining operational feasibility through controlled parameter modification.
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
Enhances image clarity by separating and reducing artifacts, ensuring accurate diagnosis by eliminating overlapping image portions caused by optical parts, thereby improving the reliability of biological tubular element imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a splitter that splits light emitted from the light source into first light and second light
Implementation Method 2
an optical distance adjustment unit that includes a movable reference mirror, and is capable of obtaining reference light by reflecting the second light on the reference mirror
Implementation Method 3
an interference unit that causes the reflected light and the reference light to interfere with each other, and obtains interference light
Implementation Method 4
a detection unit that detects the interference light of the reflected light and the reference light
Implementation Method 5
a Fourier transform unit that performs Fourier transform on the electrical signal obtained by the conversion unit, and obtains a light intensity distribution with respect to an optical distance difference
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an optical tomographic imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes: an initial setting step of setting initial positions of a reference mirror and a distal end of an optical part; an imaging step of imaging a biological tubular element after the initial setting step; a reference mirror adjustment step of, after the imaging step, moving the reference mirror to enlarge the image portion of the reflected light from the biological tubular element and the image portion of the reflected light from the tube while reducing an image portion of an artifact caused by reflected light from the optical part, and adjusting the image portion of the artifact to an inside of the image portion of the reflected light from the tube; a magnification adjustment step of, after the reference mirror adjustment step, resetting the image portion of the reflected light from the biological tubular element and the image portion of the reflected light from the tube to a state before the enlargement; and a display step of, after the magnification adjustment step, causing an image display unit to display the image portion of the reflected light from the biological tubular element and the image portion of the reflected light from the tube reset to the state before enlargement.