Next generation MEMS-VCSEL technology for ultra-low-cost dental and periodontal swept source optical coherence tomography imaging

该方案旨在实现新一代高速、低成本、波长灵活的扫频光源 光学相干断层扫描（SS-OCT）成像设备技术，其目标是应用于牙科成像， 基于微机电系统的垂直腔面发射激光器（MEMS-VCSEL）和平面 光波电路（PLC）。MEMS-VCSEL提供了高速和可变轴向扫描的无与伦比的组合 速率，动态单模操作，实现长成像范围，以及低成本批量的潜力 通过晶圆级制造和测试来制造。拟议的努力涉及以下方面的合作： Praevium Research是SS-OCT的MEMS-VCSEL的先驱，华盛顿大学（UW）是一家 牙科领域SS-OCT结构和血管造影成像的世界领先者。这项工作旨在促进牙科 通过新的成像工具，促进成像科学的发展，并促进成本敏感的牙科市场的商业化。 Praevium Research将开发新型高轴向扫描速率MEMS-VCSEL近水扫频光源 在1700 nm和2200 nm处的吸收最小值，由于在较长时间内减少了散射， 波长在这些波长下成像对于提高OCT的能力可能特别重要， 非侵入性地确定牙周袋深度。此外，Praevium还将联合收割机 采用先进的PLC技术，在1310 nm处泵浦MEMS-eVCSEL，取代体积庞大且环保的 通常在SS-OCT中使用的敏感光纤网络通过光刻限定的波导器件来实现。这 将允许具有MEMS-VCSEL，光学放大器， 波长监测和MZI干涉仪在一个紧凑的蝶形封装的单芯片上，克服了 SS-OCT在牙科中的长期成本障碍。 华盛顿大学的合作者将使用不同代的高轴向扫描速率MEMS-VCSEL，从1310 nm开始 并且随着后面这些光源的开发，迁移到1700 nm和2200 nm，以开发实时宽视场的 全口结构（OCT）和无标记血管造影（OCTA）牙周成像。电流 评估牙周病的方法依赖于侵入性探查，引起不必要的疼痛和出血， 由于探测频率和力度不一致以及牙龈厚度的复杂性， 和外表。相比之下，所提出的SS-OCT技术具有创建定性和定量分析的潜力。 牙龈组织中的微结构和脉管系统的定量成像。这将使全面 牙周成像诊断套件，可以评估牙周附着，牙槽骨质量和水平， 牙龈炎症、龈下牙石菌斑和组织生物型。这样的系统还可以提供 目的是确定和评估牙周，再生和修复治疗的预后， 改进用于牙科修复程序和规划的计算机辅助设计和加工（CAD/CAM），以及 成为口腔健康临床实践中长期监测和维护的可靠工具。

This proposal aims to enable a new generation of high-speed, low-cost, wavelength-flexible swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) imaging device technology targeting applications in dental imaging and based on microelectromechanical systems vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (MEMS-VCSELs) and planar lightwave circuits (PLCs). MEMS-VCSELs provide an unmatched combination of high and variable axial scan rate, dynamic single mode operation enabling long imaging range, and the potential for low-cost volume manufacturing through wafer scale fabrication and testing. The proposed effort involves a collaboration between Praevium Research, which pioneered MEMS-VCSELs for SS-OCT, and the University of Washington (UW), a world leader in SS-OCT structural and angiographic imaging in dentistry. This work seeks both to advance dental imaging science through new imaging tools and promote commercialization in cost-sensitive dental markets. Praevium Research will develop new high axial scan rate MEMS-VCSEL swept sources near water absorption minima at 1700nm and 2200nm, to enable longer imaging range due to reduced scattering at longer wavelengths. Imaging at these wavelengths may be particularly important in improving the ability of OCT to noninvasively determine periodontal pocket depth. In addition, Praevium will combine emerging electrically pumped MEMS-eVCSELs at 1310nm with advanced PLC technology, replacing bulky and environmentally sensitive fiber networks commonly employed in SS-OCT by lithographically defined waveguide devices. This will allow a radically miniaturized low-cost and stable SS-OCT subsystem with MEMS-VCSEL, optical amplifier, wavelength monitoring, and MZI interferometers on a single chip in a compact butterfly package, overcoming long-standing cost barriers to SS-OCT in dentistry. UW collaborators will use various generations of high axial scan rate MEMS-VCSELs, starting at 1310nm and migrating to 1700nm and 2200nm as these latter sources are developed, to develop real-time wide field of view (FOV) whole mouth structural (OCT) and label-free angiographic (OCTA) periodontal imaging. Current methods for assessing periodontal disease rely on invasive probing, induce unnecessary pain and bleeding, and are error-prone due to inconsistent frequency and force of probing and due to the complexity of gingival thickness and appearance. The proposed SS-OCT technology, by contrast, has the potential to create qualitative and quantitative imaging of microstructure and vasculature in gingival tissue. This will enable a comprehensive periodontal imaging diagnostic suite which can assess periodontal attachment, alveolar bone quality and level, gingival inflammation, sub gingival calculus plaque and tissue biotype. Such a system can also provide an objective means to determine and evaluate the prognosis of periodontal, regenerative and restorative therapies, improve computer-aided design and machining (CAD/CAM) for dental restorative procedures and planning, and become a reliable tool for long term monitoring and maintenance in clinical practice for oral health.