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)成像设备技术针对牙科成像和 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提供无与伦比的高轴向扫描和可变轴向扫描组合 高速率、动态单模式操作，可实现远距离成像，并具有低成本批量的潜力 通过晶片规模制造和测试进行制造。拟议的努力涉及以下合作： Praevium Research是SS-OCT的MEMS-VCSEL的先驱，华盛顿大学(UW)， 牙科SS-OCT结构和血管成像领域的世界领先者。这项工作既是为了提高牙科水平 通过新的成像工具进行成像科学，并在对成本敏感的牙科市场促进商业化。 Praevium Research将开发新型高轴向扫描率MEMS-VCSEL近水面扫射源 在1700 nm和2200 nm处的最小吸收，以实现更长的成像范围，因为在较长的时间内减少了散射 波长。在这些波长的成像对于提高OCT的能力可能特别重要 无创性测定牙周袋深度。此外，Praevium还将结合新兴的电子技术 1310 nm泵浦MEMS-eVCSEL，采用先进的PLC技术，取代了笨重和环保的 敏感光纤网络通常由光刻定义的光波导器件用于SS-OCT。这 将允许从根本上小型化、低成本和稳定的SS-OCT子系统，具有MEMS-VCSEL、光放大、 波长监测和MZI干涉仪在紧凑的蝶形封装中的单个芯片上，克服了 长期以来，SS-OCT在牙科领域存在成本障碍。 UW合作者将使用多代高轴向扫描速率的MEMS-VCSEL，从1310 nm开始 并随着后一种光源的发展迁移到1700 nm和2200 nm，以开发实时宽视场 视野(FOV)、全口结构(OCT)和无标记血管造影(OCTA)牙周成像。当前 评估牙周病的方法依赖侵入性探查，会引起不必要的疼痛和出血，以及 由于探诊的频率和力度不一致，以及由于牙龈厚度的复杂性，容易出错 和外表。相比之下，提议的SS-OCT技术有可能创造出定性和 牙龈组织微结构和血管构筑的定量成像。这将使全面的 牙周成像诊断套件，可以评估牙周附着，牙槽骨质量和水平， 牙周炎、龈下菌斑和组织生物型。这样的系统还可以提供 目的测定和评价牙周再生修复治疗的预后。 改进用于牙齿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.