Method And Device For Incremental Wavelength Variation To Analyze Tissue

• US 20100188492A1
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SARCOS LC (Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Marceau, David P., Jacobsen, Stephen C., Smith, Fraser M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,486,735 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00188 with focusing or zooming features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/255 Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems

Abstract

A method of imaging a target using a miniaturized imaging device is disclosed comprising providing a miniaturized imaging device having a stationary lens system and an imaging array, wherein the distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the imaging array is fixed. The miniaturized imaging device is advanced near the desired target and a distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target is determined. A desired wavelength of light is calculated based on the determined distance from the distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target and the desired wavelength of light is propagated onto the target.

Claims

1. A method of imaging a desired target using a miniaturized imaging device, comprising:

providing a miniaturized imaging device comprising a lens system and an imaging array, wherein a distance from the distal end of the lens system to the imaging array is fixed;

advancing the miniaturized imaging device near the desired target;

determining a distance from the distal end of the lens system to the desired target;

calculating a desired wavelength of light based on the determined distance from the distal end of the lens system to the desired target;

propagating the desired wavelength of light onto the target; and

receiving the desired wavelength of light reflected off of the target.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of creating an image from the desired wavelength of light reflected off of the target.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens system comprises a single GRIN lens.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the GRIN lens is mounted directly on a top surface of the imaging array.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance from the distal end of the lens system to the desired target is calculated by an infrared range calculation device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the lens system comprises a plurality of GRIN lenses.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein each one of the plurality of GRIN lenses has a different longitudinal length.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein each one of the plurality of GRIN lenses is positioned on a different imaging array.

9. A method of imaging a target within a cavity using a miniaturized imaging device, comprising:

providing a miniaturized imaging device comprising a lens system and an imaging array, wherein a distance from a distal end of the lens system to the imaging array is fixed;

advancing the miniaturized imaging device within the cavity;

propagating a starting wavelength of light onto the target within the cavity;

receiving the starting wavelength of light reflected from the target onto the imaging array;

incrementally adjusting the starting wavelength of light to a different wavelength of light;

propagating the different wavelength of light onto the target within the cavity; and

receiving the different wavelength of light reflected from the target onto the imaging array; and

determining an optimal wavelength of light for imaging the target.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of creating an image from the optimal wavelength of light reflected off of the target.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the optimal wavelength of light is determined with a passive autofocus technique.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the passive autofocus technique comprises a phase detection technique.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the passive autofocus technique comprises a contrast measurement technique.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the optimal wavelength of light is determined with an active autofocus technique.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the active autofocus technique comprises use of an infrared signal.

16. A miniaturized imaging device disposed on a distal end of a catheter, comprising:

at least one imaging array disposed on a distal end of the catheter;

a plurality of lens systems disposed on the at least one imaging array, wherein distances from distal ends of lens systems to the at least one imaging array are fixed;

wherein each of the plurality of lens systems has a different longitudinal length; and

a light source disposed on a distal end of the catheter adapted to propagate a starting monochromatic wavelength of light onto a target and incrementally adjust the starting monochromatic wavelength of light to a different monochromatic wavelength of light.

17. The miniaturized imaging device of claim 16, wherein the plurality of lens systems comprises a plurality of GRIN lenses.

18. The miniaturized imaging device of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of imaging arrays, wherein each of the plurality of GRIN lenses is disposed in direct contact with a separate imaging array.

19. The miniaturized imaging device of claim 18, wherein the working distance of at least one of the plurality of GRIN lens is approximately zero for a predetermined monochromatic wavelength of light.

20. The miniaturized imaging device of claim 19, wherein a rear plane of each of the plurality of GRIN lenses is substantially coplanar with one another.

21. A miniaturized imaging device disposed on a distal end of a catheter, comprising:

a light source disposed on a distal end of the catheter configured to propagate a starting monochromatic wavelength of light onto a target and incrementally adjust the starting monochromatic wavelength of light to a different monochromatic wavelength of light;

an imaging array disposed on a distal end of the catheter;

a plurality of lens systems disposed on the imaging array, wherein the distance from a distal end of each of the stationary lens systems to the imaging array is fixed;

wherein the plurality of lens systems are configured substantially parallel to one another; and

wherein the distance from a front surface of each of the plurality of lens systems to the target is different.

22. The miniaturized imaging device of claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of lens systems has a different effective focal length.