Flexible Single-Optical-Fibre Endoscope

最近，麻省理工学院和韩国大学的研究人员展示了一种单一的多模光纤（MMF）成像内窥镜。与传统的基于纤维束的内窥镜相比，该设备具有超薄、高分辨率、宽视场、无透镜、低成本和一次性使用的特点。这种装置的主要缺点是，由于纤维形状的变化导致图像模糊，它们不能用作灵活的内窥镜。然而，灵活的内窥镜被认为是最理想的，并广泛应用于现代医疗保健。为了克服这一问题，本研究旨在利用一种新颖的斑点监测技术，开发世界上第一个柔性单纤维内窥镜系统。监测模块将由校准光束和相关光学元件组成，用于监测由纤维运动和弯曲引起的模式耦合的实时变化。监测结果将用于预测MMF成像传输矩阵，用于原始图像恢复。在项目结束时，将开发一个带有实时软件和算法的原型设备，用于潜在的临床试验和转化研究。该项目是高度跨学科的：它汇集了光学、仪器、成像、信号处理和外科等领域的专业知识。拟议研究的结果有可能使英国处于现代内窥镜新医疗设备关键新兴领域的前沿，这不仅可能对研究和患者福祉产生巨大影响，而且可能对英国和全球经济产生巨大影响。

Recently, researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Korean University demonstrated a single multimode-optical-fibre (MMF) imaging endoscope. Compared with conventional fibre-bundle based endoscopes, this device is ultra-slim, high-resolution, wide-field, lensless, low cost and disposable. The main drawback of such devices is that they cannot be used as flexible endoscopes due to image blurring caused by fibre-shape variation. However, flexible endoscopes are viewed as most desirable and are widely used in modern healthcare. In order to overcome this problem, this research aims to develop the world's first flexible single-fibre endoscope system by using a novel speckle monitoring technique. The monitoring module will consist of a calibration beam and associated optics to monitor the real-time changes in mode coupling induced by fibre movement and bending. The monitoring results will be used to predict MMF imaging transmission matrix for original image restoration. At the end of the project, a prototype device together with real-time software and algorithms will be developed for potential clinical trials and translational research. The project is highly interdisciplinary: it brings together expertise in the areas of optics, instrumentation, imaging, signal processing and surgery. The outcome of the proposed research has the potential to put the UK at the forefront of a crucial emerging area of new medical devices for modern endoscopy, which is likely to have a huge impact not only on research and patient well-being, but also on the UK and global economy.