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US 8,712,506 B2Granted
Medical imaging probe with rotary encoder
AssigneeSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
InventorsBrian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides minimally invasive imaging probe having an optical encoder integrated therewith for accurately measuring or estimating the rotational velocity near the distal end of the medical device, such as an imaging probe which undergoes rotational movement during scanning of surrounding tissue in bodily lumens and cavities.
Claims33
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate outer sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate outer sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate outer sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a rotary encoder including an optical encoder interface configured to interact with light, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein the optical encoder interface includes a polarization filter such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic and directed onto said optical encoder interface interacts with said polarization filter to produce encoded light having a polarization state that continuously varies under rotation of said rotatable conduit;
- and
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving said encoded light and directing said encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate outer sheath for detecting the encoded light.
5 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate outer sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate outer sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate outer sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a rotary encoder including an optical encoder interface configured to interact with light, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein the optical encoder interface includes a variable optical filter configured such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic and directed onto said optical encoder interface interacts with said variable optical filter to produce encoded light such that an optical spectrum of the encoded light continuously varies under rotation of said rotatable conduit;
- and
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving the encoded light and directing the encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate outer sheath for detecting the encoded light.
5 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate outer sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate outer sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a single mode fiber optic extending through said elongate outer sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a rotary encoder including an optically transparent annular encoder interface, wherein a thickness of said annular encoder interface, as determined in a longitudinal direction, varies with azimuthal angle, and wherein one of said fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein said rotary encoder is configured such that emitted light that is emitted, in a longitudinal direction, by said fiber optic, is transmitted through said annular encoder interface, thereby producing encoded light including first encoded light that is reflected from a front surface of said annular encoder interface and second encoded light that is reflected from a back surface of said annular encoder interface, such that an angle dependent thickness of said annular encoder interface is encoded by said encoded light;
- and
- wherein said fiber optic is configured for receiving said encoded light and directing said encoded light to an external optical coherence detection system for inferring rotational motion of said rotatable conduit based on said encoded light.
5 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate external sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate external sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate external sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a gradient refractive index (GRIN) lens optically coupled to said distal end of said first fiber optic;
- and
- a rotary encoder including a plurality of light interaction features, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein said rotary encoder is configured such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic is directed, by said lens, onto said features of said rotary encoder during rotation of said rotatable conduit with sufficient resolution such that the emitted light is focused onto one feature at a time during rotation of said rotatable conduit, thereby producing encoded light;
- and
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving the encoded light and directing the encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate external sheath for detecting the encoded light.
7 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate external sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate external sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate external sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a lens optically coupled to said distal end of said first fiber optic;
- and
- a rotary encoder including a plurality of light interaction features, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein said rotary encoder is configured such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic is directed, by said lens, onto said features of said rotary encoder during rotation of said rotatable conduit with sufficient resolution such that the emitted light is focused onto one feature at a time during rotation of said rotatable conduit, thereby producing encoded light;
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving the encoded light and directing the encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate external sheath for detecting the encoded light;
- and
- wherein said rotary encoder includes an optically transmissive protective layer covering said light interaction features.
8 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate external sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate external sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate external sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a lens optically coupled to said distal end of said first fiber optic;
- and
- a rotary encoder including a plurality of light interaction features, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein said rotary encoder is configured such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic is directed, by said lens, onto said features of said rotary encoder during rotation of said rotatable conduit with sufficient resolution such that the emitted light is focused onto one feature at a time during rotation of said rotatable conduit, thereby producing encoded light;
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving the encoded light and directing the encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate external sheath for detecting the encoded light;
- and
- wherein said rotary encoder includes a reflective surface, wherein said light interaction features are offset features in said reflective surface, wherein each offset feature has an offset from said reflective surface approximately equal to an odd number of quarter wavelengths of the emitted light, and wherein the emitted light is directed onto said rotary encoder with sufficient resolution such that the emitted light is focused onto one indentation at a time during rotation of said rotatable conduit.
8 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate external sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate external sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate external sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a lens optically coupled to said distal end of said first fiber optic;
- and
- a rotary encoder including a plurality of light interaction features, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein said rotary encoder is configured such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic is directed, by said lens, onto said features of said rotary encoder during rotation of said rotatable conduit with sufficient resolution such that the emitted light is focused onto one feature at a time during rotation of said rotatable conduit, thereby producing encoded light;
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving the encoded light and directing the encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate external sheath for detecting the encoded light;
- and
- wherein said rotary encoder includes an interferometric encoder interface.
8 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate external sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate external sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate external sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a lens optically coupled to said distal end of said first fiber optic;
- and
- a rotary encoder including a plurality of light interaction features, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein said rotary encoder is configured such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic is directed, by said lens, onto said features of said rotary encoder during rotation of said rotatable conduit with sufficient resolution such that the emitted light is focused onto one feature at a time during rotation of said rotatable conduit, thereby producing encoded light;
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving the encoded light and directing the encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate external sheath for detecting the encoded light;
- and
- wherein said light interaction features include reflective or attenuating portions adjacent to transmissive gaps, such that the encoded light includes transmitted light that is transmitted through said transmissive gaps, and wherein said additional fiber optic is configured for collecting the transmitted light.
8 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate external sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate external sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate external sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a lens optically coupled to said distal end of said first fiber optic;
- and
- a rotary encoder including a plurality of light interaction features, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein said rotary encoder is configured such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic is directed, by said lens, onto said features of said rotary encoder during rotation of said rotatable conduit with sufficient resolution such that the emitted light is focused onto one feature at a time during rotation of said rotatable conduit, thereby producing encoded light;
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving the encoded light and directing the encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate external sheath for detecting the encoded light;
- and
- wherein said light interaction features are provided on a longitudinally oriented surface of said rotary encoder, such that the emitted light is incident on said rotary encoder from a longitudinal direction.
8 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate external sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate external sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate external sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a lens optically coupled to said distal end of said first fiber optic;
- and
- a rotary encoder including a plurality of light interaction features, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein said rotary encoder is configured such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic is directed, by said lens, onto said features of said rotary encoder during rotation of said rotatable conduit with sufficient resolution such that the emitted light is focused onto one feature at a time during rotation of said rotatable conduit, thereby producing encoded light;
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving the encoded light and directing the encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate external sheath for detecting the encoded light;
- and
- wherein said rotary encoder includes a cylindrical surface and said light interaction features are provided on said cylindrical surface such that the emitted light is incident on said rotary encoder from a radial direction, said imaging probe further including an optical deflection element in optical communication with said lens for deflecting the emitted light onto said light interaction features.
8 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate external sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate external sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate external sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a lens optically coupled to said distal end of said first fiber optic;
- and
- a rotary encoder including a plurality of light interaction features, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein said rotary encoder is configured such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic is directed, by said lens, onto said features of said rotary encoder during rotation of said rotatable conduit with sufficient resolution such that the emitted light is focused onto one feature at a time during rotation of said rotatable conduit, thereby producing encoded light;
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving the encoded light and directing the encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate external sheath for detecting the encoded light;
- and
- wherein said first fiber optic is connected to said rotatable conduit and wherein said external sheath and said rotary encoder include a rotation restriction means for restricting said rotary encoder from undergoing free rotation when said rotatable conduit is rotated, and wherein said rotary encoder is positioned between said imaging assembly and a distal portion of said rotatable conduit, and wherein said rotary encoder is unattached to said rotatable conduit and to said elongate external sheath, such that a longitudinal translation of said rotatable conduit produces a corresponding longitudinal translation of said rotary encoder.
8 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate external sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate external sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate external sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a lens optically coupled to said distal end of said first fiber optic;
- and
- a rotary encoder including a plurality of light interaction features, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein said rotary encoder is configured such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic is directed, by said lens, onto said features of said rotary encoder during rotation of said rotatable conduit with sufficient resolution such that the emitted light is focused onto one feature at a time during rotation of said rotatable conduit, thereby producing encoded light;
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving the encoded light and directing the encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate external sheath for detecting the encoded light;
- and
- wherein said first fiber optic is connected to said rotatable conduit and wherein said external sheath and said rotary encoder include a rotation restriction means for restricting said rotary encoder from undergoing free rotation when said rotatable conduit is rotated, and wherein said rotary encoder is received within a radial groove in a distal portion of said rotatable conduit, and wherein said rotary encoder is unattached to said rotatable conduit and said elongate external sheath, such that a longitudinal translation of said rotatable conduit produces a corresponding longitudinal translation of said rotary encoder.
8 more elements
An imaging probe comprising:
- an elongate external sheath having a longitudinal axis;
- a rotatable conduit housed within said elongate external sheath, wherein said rotatable conduit is rotatable about said longitudinal axis;
- an imaging assembly connected to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from a proximal end of said rotatable conduit;
- a first fiber optic extending through said elongate external sheath and having a distal end located in a proximity of said imaging assembly;
- a lens optically coupled to said distal end of said first fiber optic;
- and
- a rotary encoder including a plurality of light interaction features, wherein one of said first fiber optic and said rotary encoder rotates in conjunction with said rotatable conduit;
- wherein said rotary encoder is configured such that emitted light that is emitted by said first fiber optic is directed, by said lens, onto said features of said rotary encoder during rotation of said rotatable conduit with sufficient resolution such that the emitted light is focused onto one feature at a time during rotation of said rotatable conduit, thereby producing encoded light;
- wherein said first fiber optic or an additional fiber optic is configured for receiving the encoded light and directing the encoded light to a proximal end of said elongate external sheath for detecting the encoded light;
- and
- wherein said first fiber optic, said lens, said rotary encoder and said optional additional fiber optic form a first optical circuit, said imaging probe further comprising a second optical circuit, wherein said first optical circuit and said second optical circuit are configured for encoding both angular displacement and direction of rotation.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.