# US 12,004,718 B2 · Device and methods for color corrected OCT imaging endoscope/catheter/capsule to achieve high-resolution > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,004,718 B2 - Document ID: US12004718B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/481,248 - Filed: 2018-01-26 - Published: 2020-01-02 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-27 - Assignees: The John Hopkins University - Applicants: The Johns Hopkins University - Inventors: Xingde Li - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004718B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/041: {Capsule endoscopes for imaging} - G02B 23/2423: {of the distal end} - A61B 1/00117: {Optical cables in or with an endoscope} - A61B 1/00172: {with means for scanning} - A61B 1/00188: {with focusing or zooming features} - A61B 5/0066: {Optical coherence imaging} - G02B 23/2476: {Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports} - G02B 23/26: using light guides {(for illumination G02B23/2469)} - G02B 26/106: {having diffraction gratings as scanning elements, e.g. holographic scanners (holographic optical elements G02B5/32, holography G03H)} - A61B 5/0084: {for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters (A61B5/1459 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/6852: {Catheters} - A61B 5/6861: {Capsules, e.g. for swallowing or implanting} - G02B 27/4227: {in image scanning systems} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract The present invention is directed to an achromatic capsule endoscope with diffractive optics. A micromotor (or a broadband rotary joint) and a custom 800 nm SD-OCT system make ultrahigh-resolution 3D volumetric imaging over a large area possible. The diffractive microlens is used directly with other miniature lens including but not limited to a GRIN lens, making the capsule endoscope design simpler and cost effective. Preliminary ex vivo 3D intraluminal imaging was performed with the distal-scanning capsule endoscope in conjunction with a home-built broadband spectral-domain OCT system, demonstrating the performance of the diffractive capsule. Considering the miniature OCT capsule imaging probe is an attractive component for using the OCT technology for esophagus imaging (or other internal organs), the proposed approach will have a broad impact on endoscopic OCT imaging by improving OCT resolution in any applications that involve a capsule OCT probe, such as gastrointestinal (GI) tract imaging, airway imaging etc. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for obtaining optical coherence tomography (OCT) images from a subject comprising: a miniature OCT capsule, wherein the miniature OCT capsule is sized to obtain OCT images from within the subject a light source, wherein the light source comprises a broadband, low-coherence light and a broadband fiber, wherein light from the broadband, low-coherence light is delivered to the miniature OCT capsule via the broadband fiber, and wherein the broadband fiber is coupled to the miniature OCT capsule, such that light from the broadband, low coherence light is transmitted into the miniature OCT capsule; diffraction optics configured to mitigate wavelength dependent aberration in the images obtained by the OCT capsule imaging probe, wherein the diffraction optics are positioned within the miniature OCT capsule, and wherein the diffraction optics are configured to bend a longer wavelength more towards an optical axis than a shorter wavelength; and a micro reflector, wherein the diffraction optics are positioned within the miniature OCT capsule, wherein the diffraction optics are positioned between the broadband fiber of the light source and the micro reflector, wherein the diffraction optics direct a light beam from the broadband fiber of the light source to the micro reflector, and wherein the micro reflector reflects the light beam such that it can be used for imaging. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the diffraction optics comprise a diffractive lens. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2 wherein the diffractive lens is positioned at a distal end of a compound lens within the OCT capsule imaging probe. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2 wherein the diffractive lens comprises a predetermined diffraction efficiency over a predetermined spectral range. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4 wherein the predetermined spectral range is 750 nm to 950 nm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the wavelength dependent aberration comprises a chromatic aberration. ### Claim 7 A device for obtaining optical coherence tomography (OCT) images from a subject comprising: a miniature OCT imaging capsule, wherein the miniature OCT imaging capsule is sized to obtain OCT images from within the subject; a light source, wherein the light source comprises a broadband, low-coherence light and a broadband fiber, wherein light from the broadband, low-coherence light is delivered to the miniature OCT capsule via the broadband fiber, and wherein the broadband fiber is coupled to the miniature OCT capsule, such that light from the broadband, low coherence light is transmitted into the miniature OCT capsule; a micromotor beam scanner, wherein the micromotor beam scanner is disposed within the miniature OCT imaging capsule; diffraction optics configured to mitigate wavelength dependent aberration in the images obtained by the OCT capsule imaging probe, wherein the diffraction optics are positioned within the miniature OCT capsule, and wherein the diffraction optics are configured to bend a longer wavelength more towards an optical axis than a shorter wavelength; and a micro reflector, wherein the diffraction optics are positioned within the miniature OCT capsule, wherein the diffraction optics are positioned between the broadband fiber of the light source and the micro reflector, wherein the diffraction optics direct a light beam from the broadband fiber of the light source to the micro reflector, and wherein the micro reflector reflects the light beam such that it can be used for imaging. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7 wherein the diffraction optics comprise a diffractive lens. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8 wherein the diffractive lens is positioned at a distal end of a compound lens within the OCT capsule imaging probe. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8 wherein the diffractive lens comprises a diffraction efficiency over a specified spectral range. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10 wherein the predetermined spectral range is 750 nm to 950 nm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7 wherein the wavelength dependent aberration comprises a chromatic aberration. ### Claim 13 A device for obtaining optical coherence tomography (OCT) images from a subject comprising: a miniature OCT imaging capsule configured to obtain images of the subject, wherein the miniature OCT imaging capsule is sized to obtain OCT images from within the subject; a fiber-optic rotary joint, wherein the fiber optic rotary joint is configured to transmit light from a broadband, low-coherence light and a broadband fiber, to the miniature OCT capsule, and wherein the fiber-optic rotary joint is coupled to the miniature OCT capsule, such that light from the broadband, low coherence light is transmitted into the miniature OCT capsule; diffraction optics configured to mitigate wavelength dependent aberration in the images obtained by the OCT capsule imaging probe, wherein the diffraction optics are positioned within the miniature OCT capsule, and wherein the diffraction optics are configured to bend a longer wavelength more towards an optical axis than a shorter wavelength; and a micro reflector, wherein the diffraction optics are positioned within the miniature OCT capsule, wherein the diffraction optics are positioned between the broadband fiber of the light source and the micro reflector, wherein the diffraction optics direct a light beam from the broadband fiber of the light source to the micro reflector, and wherein the micro reflector reflects the light beam such that it can be used for imaging. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13 wherein the diffraction optics comprise a diffractive lens. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14 wherein the diffractive lens is positioned at a distal end of a compound lens within the OCT capsule imaging probe. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14 wherein the diffractive lens comprises a predetermined diffraction efficiency over a predetermined spectral range. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16 wherein the predetermined spectral range is 750 to 950 nm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13 wherein the wavelength dependent aberration comprises a chromatic aberration.