Miniature Imaging Devices Using Fiber-optic Scanners

描述（由申请人提供）： 这项建议是一个合作，多学科的计划，涉及生物工程系和机械工程系华盛顿大学的研究人员。我们的目标是开发共振光纤扫描仪和新型的微型成像设备，能够光束聚焦和高速2-D光束扫描。成像设备可以将射束递送、收集、聚焦和扫描集成到高度紧凑的单个单元中，使得设备可安装在清醒的受试者上以在自然生理条件下执行成像或可通过内窥镜递送以用于对内部器官进行成像。开发一种能够在真实的时间内在细胞水平或接近细胞水平对生物组织进行体内成像的技术，可以允许在早期阶段诊断疾病、精确指导外科干预和监测局部生理功能。光学相干层析成像（OCT）和共聚焦显微镜能够在细胞水平或接近细胞水平对生物组织进行真实的实时成像。OCT和共焦显微镜的体内和内窥镜应用需要一种新型的扫描仪来执行光束扫描。本研究的假设是，微型OCT和共焦成像设备可以使用新型的光纤扫描仪开发。光纤扫描仪还允许OCT与共焦显微镜的集成，用于在使用高数值孔径光学器件时提高成像分辨率。该探索性建议的具体目标是：1）开发压电致动的单光纤扫描器，其在其第一模式下谐振并扫描光束。我们将研究基于光纤扫描器的微型扫描显微镜用于真实的实时OCT/共焦成像的可行性; 2）开发在其第二模式下谐振的光纤扫描器，并研究使用光纤扫描器进行光束扫描和聚焦而不需要额外的光学和机械部件的OCT/共焦成像导管/内窥镜的可行性。我们将使用体模来表征微型成像设备的性能，以严格评估基于光纤扫描仪的成像探头的设计和工程问题。如果成功的话，这项技术可以实现新一代的微型成像设备。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary program involving researchers at the Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Washington. Our objective is to develop resonant fiber-optic scanners and novel miniature imaging devices capable of optical beam focusing and high-speed 2-D beam scanning. The imaging device can integrate beam delivery, collection, focusing, and scanning into a highly compact single unit, making the device mountable on awake subjects to perform imaging at natural physiological conditions or endoscopically deliverable for imaging internal organs. Development of a technology that enables in vivo imaging of biological tissues at or near cellular level in real time could permit diagnosis of diseases at early stages, precision guidance of surgical interventions and monitoring of localized physiological functions. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal microscopy are capable of real time imaging of biological tissues at or near cellular level. In vivo and endoscopic applications of OCT and confocal microscopy require a novel scanner to perform beam scanning. The hypothesis of this research is that miniature OCT and confocal imaging devices can be developed using novel fiber-optic scanners. The fiber scanner also permits integration of OCT with confocal microscopy for improving imaging resolution when high numerical aperture optics are used. The specific aims of this exploratory proposal are: 1) to develop a piezoelectric-actuated, single optical fiber scanner that resonates at its first mode and scans the optical beam. We will investigate the feasibility of a miniature scanning microscope based on the fiber scanner for real time OCT/confocal imaging; 2) to develop a fiber scanner resonating at its second mode, and investigate the feasibility of an OCT/confocal imaging catheter/endoscope that employs the fiber scanner to perform beam scanning and focusing without the need for extra optical and mechanical components. We will characterize the performance of the miniature imaging devices using phantoms to critically evaluate the design and engineering issues of the fiber scanner based imaging probes. If successful, this technology could enable a new generation of miniature imaging devices.