Free-Space Interferometric Endoscopic Optical Coherence Tomography Based on Rapid Scanning Micromirrors

建议0725598智力价值本研究的目的是开发下一代光学内窥镜成像探头，用于早期癌症检测。该方法是使用微机电系统（MEMS）技术，使成像探头小，便宜和扫描速度快。该项目从设备和系统架构层面解决了内窥镜成像的挑战。一种新型的快速扫描光学微系统将被开发出来。其中一个微镜可以垂直扫描高达3毫米，没有横向位移。这些MEMS器件可以形成适合内窥镜导管的紧凑的自由空间干涉仪。这进一步实现了新的内窥镜OCT架构，其不需要参考光纤，从而完全消除了光纤长度匹配、色散和偏振补偿的问题。PI在这一领域拥有丰富的经验，并有良好的设施访问来执行这个项目。更广泛的影响所提出的快速扫描光学MEMS器件也可以应用于显示器和光通信。单光纤成像探头可用于早期癌症诊断和实时癌症手术监测，这可能会挽救数十万人的生命并提高他们的生活质量。同样的技术也适用于心脏病的血管内成像。由二维微镜实现的微型激光扫描显示器将在附近的高中展示，以吸引更多对工程和科学感兴趣的年轻人。PI还将参加佛罗里达大学的STEP-UP计划，该计划旨在促进少数族裔大一工程专业学生的学术和个人成功。

Proposal 0725598Intellectual MeritThe objective of this research is to develop the next generation optical endoscopic imaging probes for early cancer detection. The approach is to use Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to make imaging probes small, inexpensive and scan fast. This project addresses the challenges of endoscopic imaging from both device and system architecture level. A new class of fast-scanning optical microsystems will be developed. One of the micromirrors can scan vertically up to 3 mm with no lateral shift. These MEMS devices can form a compact free-space interferometer that fits into endoscopic catheters. This further enables a new endoscopic OCT architecture that does not need a reference optical fiber and thus completely eliminates the problems of fiber length matching, dispersion and polarization compensation. The PI has extensive experience in this field and has good facility access to carry out this project.Broader ImpactsThe proposed rapid scanning optical MEMS devices can also be applied to displays and optical telecommunications. The enabled single-fiber imaging probes can be used for early cancer diagnosis and real-time cancer surgery monitoring, which could potentially save hundreds of thousands of lives and improve their quality of life. The same technique is applicable to intravascular imaging for heart disease. Tiny laser scanning displays enabled by 2-D micromirrors will be demonstrated in nearby high schools to attract more youngsters interested in engineering and science. The PI will also participate in the STEP-UP program at University of Florida that is designed to promote academic and personal success among minority freshman engineering students.