US 7,952,718 B2 · High resolution optical coherence tomography based imaging for intraluminal and interstitial use implemented with a reduced form factor

Abstract

Mechanically robust minimal form factor OCT probes suitable for medical applications such as needle biopsy, intraluminal and intravascular imaging are achieved in part by employing compound lenses with some or all of the optical elements, including an optical fiber, to be thermally fused in tandem. To achieve a desired working distance without increasing a diameter of the optics assembly, a spacer can be disposed between the optical fiber and focusing optics. The compound lens configuration can achieve higher transverse resolution compared to a single lens at a desired working distance without increasing the probe diameter. In exemplary needle biopsy embodiments, the optical assembly is encapsulated in a glass housing or metal-like housing with a glass window, which is then selectively passed through a hollow needle. Esophageal imaging embodiments are combined with a balloon catheter. Circumferential and three-dimensional spiral scanning can be achieved in each embodiment.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method for performing optical coherence tomography (OCT), comprising the steps of:

(a) advancing an OCT probe comprising an optical fiber and a compound lens to a position adjacent to a sample, wherein the compound lens includes a plurality of optical elements;
(b) directing light from a distal end of the optical fiber through the compound lens, the compound lens being configured to focus light from the OCT probe at a predefined working distance, while enabling a smaller focused spot size to be achieved at the predefined working distance as compared to an OCT probe having a similar diameter that is configured to focus light at the predefined working distance using a single component lens, the step of directing light from the distal end of the optical fiber through the compound lens comprising the steps of:
(i) directing light from the distal end of the optical fiber toward a beam adjusting element of the compound lens, the beam adjusting element being configured to manipulate light from the optical fiber so that a light beam exiting the beam adjusting element has a smaller beam diameter than a light beam exiting the distal end of the optical fiber, thus increasing a numerical aperture of the OCT probe relative to that at the distal end of the optical fiber;
and
(ii) directing light from the beam adjusting element to a distal lens element in the compound lens, the distal lens element being configured to focus light manipulated by the beam adjusting element at the predefined working distance proximate the sample;
(c) collecting light received back from the sample;
and
(d) using light received back from the sample to generate OCT data.

5 more elements

A system for carrying out high resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) of a body lumen, comprising:

(a) a low-coherence light source;
(b) a sample arm comprising an OCT probe configured to scan a sample in the body lumen, the sample arm exhibiting a first optical path length and being optically coupled to the light source, the OCT probe having a form factor suitable for body lumen imaging, and including an optical fiber and a compound lens, the compound lens comprising:
(i) a beam adjusting element configured to manipulate light from the optical fiber so that a light beam exiting a distal end of the beam adjusting element has a smaller beam diameter than a light beam exiting the distal end of the optical fiber, thus increasing a numerical aperture of the OCT probe relative to that at the distal end of the optical fiber;
and
(ii) a distal lens element configured to focus light manipulated by the beam adjusting element at the predefined working distance proximate the sample;
(c) a reference arm exhibiting a second optical path length, the reference arm being optically coupled to the light source;
(d) a detector optically coupled to the sample arm and the reference arm;
(e) a prime mover and a fiber optic rotary joint disposed at a proximal end of the OCT probe, the rotary joint cooperating with the prime mover to enable the optical fiber to be selectively rotated;
(f) a linear translation component, enabling the OCT probe to be selectively linearly translated relative to the sample;
and
(g) a processor and memory logically coupled to the detector, the OCT probe, the prime mover and the translation component, the processor being configured to execute a plurality of machine instructions stored in the memory, to carry out at least one of the following functions:
(i) controlling the prime mover and the OCT probe to implement a circumferential scanning of the body lumen;
and
(ii) controlling the prime mover, the linear translation component and the OCT probe to enable a three dimensional spiral imaging of the body lumen to be achieved.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High resolution optical coherence tomography based imaging for intraluminal and interstitial use implemented with a reduced form factor

Life of this patent

High resolution optical coherence tomography based imaging for intraluminal and interstitial use implemented with a reduced form factor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29