Miniature Foveated Endoscope for Early Cancer Diagnostics

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目的目标是证明一种基于中心凹成像的新型内窥镜成像方法的可行性，该方法具有在视野（FOV）中心部分进行光学切片的额外功能。这将允许在临床竞技场中实际实施内窥镜检查，大大增强早期癌症检测的诊断能力。这里提出的装置结合了标准内窥镜物镜和内窥镜显微镜的能力。物镜将对直径为5 mm的FOV成像，分辨率从视场中心的1.5微米降至视场周边的25微米。5 mm FOV内的分辨率将以与人眼所实现的方式类似的方式连续变化（其中最佳分辨率在中心并且在外围降级）。结果，在中心500微米场区域中将获得高分辨率。此外，使用荧光共聚焦显微镜的光学切片功能将在FOV的中心提供。因此，设想所提出的光学系统能够在各种各样的内窥镜成像应用中实现从宽视场成像配置到共焦成像配置的无缝过渡。重要的是，组织表面的较低分辨率图像将始终可用于定向和定位。 识别感兴趣的区域。该项目包括两个具体目标。重点在于（1） 光学设计的发展，小凹微型光学系统的制造和组装，以及（2）对体模和组织成像的客观验证，以获得临床医生的反馈。 公共卫生相关性：该项目的目标是开发一种创新的、有中央凹的光学系统，用于通过内窥镜和显微内镜检测癌前病变。所提出的设备结合了两种不同的成像方法：具有宽视场和分辨率的内窥镜，其允许微血管的可视化，以及具有共同配准的小视场的显微内镜，以及通过荧光共聚焦显微镜可见的细胞和亚细胞细节。有了这项技术，临床医生将能够更有效地筛查癌症的早期迹象。此外，光学成像技术的发展，在这里提出的是一个强有力的候选人的低成本制造，从而使广泛的仪器可访问性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel endoscopic imaging method based on foveated imaging with additional capabilities for optical sectioning in the central portion of the field of view (FOV). This will alow practical implementation of endo-microscopy in the clinical arena, greatly augmenting diagnostic capabilities for early cancer detection. The device proposed here combines capabilities of a standard endoscope objective and endo- microscope. The objective will image a 5 mm diameter FOV with resolution spanning from 1.5 micron in the center of the field decreasing to 25 microns at the peripheral edges of the field. The resolution within the 5 mm FOV will be changing continuously, in a similar way to that achieved by the human eye (where the best resolution is in the center and degrades on periphery). In result a high resolution will be obtained in the central 500 micron field area. In addition optical sectioning capabilities using fluorescence confocal microscopy will be available at the center of the FOV. Therefore the proposed optical system is envisioned to enable a seamless transition from the wide-field imaging configuration to the confocal imaging configuration in a wide variety of endoscopic imaging applications. Importantly, the lower resolution image of the tissue surface will be available at all times for orientation and identification of regions of interest. The project consists of two specific aims. They focus on (1) development of the optical-design, fabrication and assembly of the foveated miniature optical systems and (2) objective validation for phantom and tissue imaging to obtain clinician feedback. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The project targets the development of an innovative, foveated optical system for use in the detection of precancer by endoscopy and endomicroscopy. The proposed device combines two distinct imaging methods: an endoscope with a wide field of view and resolution that allows visualization of microvasculature and an endomicroscope with a co-registered small field of view and cellular and subcellular detail made visible by a fluorescence confocal microscopy. With the proposed technology, clinicians will be able to more effectively screen patients for early indications of cancer. Furthermore, the optical-imaging technology whose development is proposed here is a strong candidate for a low- cost manufacturing and thus enabling wide instrument accessibility.