Miniature Foveated Endoscope for Early Cancer Diagnostics

描述（由申请人提供）：该项目的目标是证明一种基于注视点成像的新型内窥镜成像方法的可行性，该方法具有在视场（FOV）中心部分进行光学切片的附加功能。这将使内窥镜在临床领域的实际实施，大大增强早期癌症检测的诊断能力。本文提出的装置结合了标准内窥镜物镜和内视显微镜的功能。物镜将成像5毫米直径的FOV，分辨率从场中心的1.5微米到场外围边缘的25微米。5毫米视场内的分辨率将不断变化，以类似于人眼所达到的方式（其中最佳分辨率在中心，在外围下降）。结果表明，在中心500微米的场域中可以获得较高的分辨率。此外，使用荧光共聚焦显微镜的光学切片能力将在视场中心可用。因此，所提出的光学系统被设想为能够在各种内窥镜成像应用中实现从宽视场成像配置到共聚焦成像配置的无缝过渡。重要的是，组织表面的低分辨率图像将在任何时候都可用于定位和

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.