Miniature Imaging Devices Using Fiber-optic Scanners

描述(由申请人提供)： 这项提案是一个合作的、多学科的项目，涉及华盛顿大学生物工程系和机械工程系的研究人员。我们的目标是开发谐振式光纤扫描器和新型微型成像设备，能够进行光束聚焦和高速二维光束扫描。成像设备可以将光束传输、收集、聚焦和扫描集成到一个高度紧凑的单一单元中，使该设备可以安装在清醒的受试者身上，以便在自然生理条件下进行成像，或通过内窥镜进行内窥镜成像。开发一种能够实时在细胞水平或接近细胞水平上对生物组织进行活体成像的技术，可以在早期阶段诊断疾病、精确指导手术干预和监测局部生理功能。光学相干层析成像(OCT)和共聚焦显微镜能够在细胞水平或接近细胞水平对生物组织进行实时成像。OCT和共聚焦显微镜在活体和内窥镜下的应用需要一种新的扫描仪来执行光束扫描。这项研究的假设是，可以使用新型光纤扫描器开发微型OCT和共焦成像设备。光纤扫描仪还允许OCT与共焦显微镜的集成，以在使用高数值孔径光学系统时提高成像分辨率。这一探索性建议的具体目标是：1)开发一种压电驱动的单光纤扫描器，它在第一模共振并扫描光束。我们将研究基于光纤扫描仪的微型扫描显微镜用于实时OCT/共焦成像的可行性；2)开发以第二模共振的光纤扫描仪，并研究OCT/共焦成像导管/内窥镜的可行性，该导管/内窥镜利用光纤扫描仪执行光束扫描和聚焦，而不需要额外的光学和机械部件。我们将使用模体来表征微型成像设备的性能，以批判性地评估基于光纤扫描仪的成像探头的设计和工程问题。如果成功，这项技术可以使新一代微型成像设备成为可能。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary program involving researchers at the Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Washington. Our objective is to develop resonant fiber-optic scanners and novel miniature imaging devices capable of optical beam focusing and high-speed 2-D beam scanning. The imaging device can integrate beam delivery, collection, focusing, and scanning into a highly compact single unit, making the device mountable on awake subjects to perform imaging at natural physiological conditions or endoscopically deliverable for imaging internal organs. Development of a technology that enables in vivo imaging of biological tissues at or near cellular level in real time could permit diagnosis of diseases at early stages, precision guidance of surgical interventions and monitoring of localized physiological functions. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal microscopy are capable of real time imaging of biological tissues at or near cellular level. In vivo and endoscopic applications of OCT and confocal microscopy require a novel scanner to perform beam scanning. The hypothesis of this research is that miniature OCT and confocal imaging devices can be developed using novel fiber-optic scanners. The fiber scanner also permits integration of OCT with confocal microscopy for improving imaging resolution when high numerical aperture optics are used. The specific aims of this exploratory proposal are: 1) to develop a piezoelectric-actuated, single optical fiber scanner that resonates at its first mode and scans the optical beam. We will investigate the feasibility of a miniature scanning microscope based on the fiber scanner for real time OCT/confocal imaging; 2) to develop a fiber scanner resonating at its second mode, and investigate the feasibility of an OCT/confocal imaging catheter/endoscope that employs the fiber scanner to perform beam scanning and focusing without the need for extra optical and mechanical components. We will characterize the performance of the miniature imaging devices using phantoms to critically evaluate the design and engineering issues of the fiber scanner based imaging probes. If successful, this technology could enable a new generation of miniature imaging devices.