Method And Device For Wavelength Shifted Imaging

• US 20100171821A1
• Filed: 11/03/2009
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Original Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Inventors: Marceau, David P., Jacobsen, Stephen C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,060,704 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2576/00 Medical imaging apparatus involving image processing or analysis A61B1/00009, A61B6/52 and A61B8/52 take precedence; image processing per se G06T; details of algorithms for analysing medical images G06T7/0012
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0507 using microwaves or terahertz waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils

Abstract

A micro-camera catheter device is disclosed comprising at least one light source disposed on a distal end of a catheter. The light source is capable of propagating a predetermined wavelength of light with a wavelength between approximately 1000 nanometers and approximately 2000 nanometers onto a target. The device further comprises a lens system disposed on the distal end of the catheter, said lens system configured to receive light reflected from the target. The device further comprises a non-linear optical media disposed behind the lens system configured to modify the light reflected from the target. The device also comprises a silicon-based solid state imaging device disposed behind the non-linear optical media configured to receive light from the non-linear optical media.

Claims

1. A micro-camera catheter device, comprising:

at least one light source disposed on a distal end of a catheter, said light source capable of propagating a predetermined wavelength of light with a wavelength between approximately 1000 nanometers and approximately 2000 nanometers onto a target;

a lens system disposed on the distal end of the catheter, said lens system configured to receive light reflected from the target;

a non-linear optical media disposed behind the lens system, the non-linear optical media configured to modify the light reflected from the target; and

a silicon-based solid state imaging device disposed behind the non-linear optical media, said silicon-based solid state imaging device configured to receive light from the non-linear optical media.

2. The micro-camera catheter device of claim 1, wherein the lens system comprises a GRIN lens.

3. The micro-camera catheter device of claim 1, wherein the non-linear optical media comprises a non-linear optical crystal.

4. The micro-camera catheter device of claim 3, wherein the non-linear optical crystal is selected from the group consisting of lithium niobate, potassium titanyl phosphate, and lithium triborate.

5. The micro-camera catheter device of claim 1 wherein the non-linear optical media comprises a non-linear optical polymer.

6. The micro-camera catheter device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of light sources configured to propagate a predetermined wavelength of light, wherein the respective wavelengths of light from the different light sources are different.

7. The micro-camera catheter device of claim 1, further comprising a filter media configured to selectively pass predetermined wavelengths of light and reflect predetermined wavelengths of light.

8. The micro-camera catheter device of claim 1, wherein the non-linear optical media comprises a film formed on the silicon-based solid state imaging device.

9. The micro-camera catheter device of claim 1, wherein the non-linear optical media comprises a film disposed on a proximal end of the lens system.

10. A micro-camera catheter device, comprising:

a plurality of light sources disposed on a distal end of a catheter, said light sources capable of propagating a predetermined wavelength of light with a wavelength between approximately 1000 nanometers and approximately 2000 nanometers onto a target;

a GRIN lens disposed on the distal end of the catheter, said lens system configured to receive light reflected from the target;

a non-linear optical crystal optically coupled to the GRIN lens, the non-linear optical crystal configured to modify the light reflected from the target;

a filter media optically coupled to the non-linear optical crystal, said filter media being configured to selectively pass predetermined wavelengths of light and reflect predetermined wavelengths of light; and

a silicon-based SSID optically coupled to the filter media.

11. The micro-camera catheter device of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of light sources are configured to propagate different wavelengths of light.

12. The micro-camera catheter device of claim 10, comprising a plurality of GRIN lenses optically coupled to a plurality of silicon-based SSIDs.

13. A method of imaging tissues using non-linear optical media, comprising:

propagating a predetermined wavelength of light onto a target tissue, said predetermined wavelength of light being greater than 1000 nanometers;

receiving the predetermined wavelength of light reflected from the target tissue into and through a lens system;

receiving the predetermined wavelength of light from the lens system into and through a non-linear optical media;

modifying the predetermined wavelength of light; and

receiving at least a portion of the modified wavelength of light onto a silicon-based solid state imaging device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising simultaneously propagating a wavelength of light from a plurality of light sources, wherein the wavelength of light from each of the plurality of light sources is different.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of selectively passing certain portions of the modified wavelength of light through a filter media.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of selectively reflecting certain portions of the modified wavelength of light off of a filter media.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of propagating a wavelength of light through a target media and onto the target tissue.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the target media is blood.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of propagating a wavelength of light through a first target tissue and onto a second target tissue.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of simultaneously propagating an additional wavelength of light onto the target tissue, wherein said wavelength of light is less than approximately 1000 nanometers.

21. A micro-camera catheter device, comprising:

at least one light source disposed on a distal end of a catheter, said light source capable of propagating a predetermined wavelength of light with a wavelength between approximately 1000 nanometers and approximately 2000 nanometers onto a target;

a lens system disposed on the distal end of the catheter, said lens system configured to receive light reflected from the target;

a non linear optical process disposed behind the lens system, the non-linear optical process configured to increase the frequency of the light reflected from the target; and

a silicon-based SSID disposed behind the non-linear optical process, said silicon-based SSID configured to receive light from the non-linear optical process.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the light source is located away from the distal end of a catheter and an optical fiber is used to propagate the light to the proximal end of the catheter.

23. A micro-camera catheter device, comprising

a first layer including a SSID having an imaging array disposed on top surface of the SSID;

a second layer disposed on top of the first layer comprising a filter media configured to selectively pass certain wavelengths of light and reflect other wavelengths of light;

a third layer disposed on top of the second layer comprising a non-linear optical media; and

a fourth layer disposed on top of the third layer comprising a lens system.