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新的内窥镜成像方法的可行性，该方法基于凹陷成像，并具有在视野(FOV)中央部分进行光学切片的附加能力。这将降低内窥镜在临床领域的实际应用，极大地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的功能。该物镜将成像一个直径5 mm的FOV，分辨率从场中心的1.5微米下降到场边缘的25微米。5 mm视野内的分辨率将不断变化，类似于人眼达到的方式(最佳分辨率在中心，外围退化)。因此，在中心500微米的区域内将获得高分辨率。此外，使用荧光共聚焦显微镜的光学切片能力将在FOV的中心可用。因此，所提出的光学系统被设想为能够在广泛的内窥镜成像应用中实现从广域成像配置到共焦成像配置的无缝转换。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 确定感兴趣的区域。该项目由两个具体目标组成。他们的重点是(1) 开发凹陷微型光学系统的光学设计、制造和组装；(2)对体模和组织成像进行客观验证，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凹槽光学系统，用于通过内窥镜和内窥镜检测癌前病变。建议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，允许显示微血管系统；以及内窥镜，具有共同注册的小视场和通过荧光共聚焦显微镜可见的细胞和亚细胞细节。有了这项拟议的技术，临床医生将能够更有效地筛查患者的癌症早期迹象。此外，这里提出的光学成像技术的发展是低成本制造的有力候选者，因此能够实现广泛的仪器可获得性。

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.