Methods and apparatus for forward-directed optical scanning instruments

• US 6,485,413 B1
• Filed: 03/06/1998
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation (Mass General Brigham, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tearney, Gary J., Brezinski, Mark E., Boppart, Stephen A., Bouma, Brett E., Fujimoto, James G., Swanson, Eric A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US09/036,283
• Time in Patent Office: 1,726 Days
• Field of Search: 600/160, 600/101, 600/109, 600/129, 600/310, 600/342, 600/473, 600/476, 600/478, 600/173, 600/477, 356/345, 356/349
• US Class Current: 600/160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00172 with means for scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00183 for variable viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00188 with focusing or zooming features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/002 having rod-lens arrangements A61B1/055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/043 for fluorescence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0242 for varying or adjusting the optical path length in the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/102 for optical coherence tomography [OCT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0064 Body surface scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0066 Optical coherence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/417 the bone marrow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/444 Evaluating skin marks, e.g. mole, nevi, tumour, scar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/00 Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/026 : by measuring distance between sensor and object G01B11/0608 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/12 : internal diameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/2441 : using interferometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2290/65 : Spatial scanning object beam
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 9/0201 : using temporal phase variation
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 9/02022 : contacting one object by grazing incidence
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 9/0205 : of probe head
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 9/02063 : by particular alignment of focus position, e.g. dynamic focussing in optical coherence tomography
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 9/02091 : Tomographic interferometers, e.g. based on optical coherence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/4795 : spatially resolved investigating of object in scattering medium in vivo A61B
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/4227 : in image scanning systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1828 : having means for producing variable diffraction controlling the direction of light by means of one or more diffracting elements G02B26/0808; acousto-optical elements G02F1/11, G02F1/33; electro- or magneto-optical diffraction G02F1/292, G02F1/2955
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2007/0013 : for carriers having multiple discrete layers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/005 : Reproducing G11B7/0065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/08564 : using galvanomirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/127 : Lasers; Multiple laser arrays lasers per se H01S
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/1353 : Diffractive elements, e.g. holograms or gratings diffraction gratings per se G02B5/18; holograms per se G02B5/32; grating systems G02B27/44
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/24 : Record carriers characterised by shape, structure or physical properties, or by the selection of the material characterised by the arrangement of information on the carrier G11B7/007
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 5/141 : using a wavelength selective device, e.g. a grating or etalon H01S5/146 takes precedence

Abstract

An imaging system for performing forward scanning imaging for application to therapeutic and diagnostic devises used in medical procedures. The imaging system includes forward directed optical coherence tomography (OCT), and non-retroreflected forward scanning OCT. Also interferometric imaging and ranging techniques and fluorescent, Raman, two-photon, and diffuse wave imaging can be used. The forward scanning mechanisms include a cam attached to a motor, pneumatic devices, a pivoting device, piezoelectric transducers, electrostatic driven slides for substantially transverse scanning; counter-rotating prisms, and offset lenses are used for arbitrary scanning. The imaging system of the invention is applied to hand held probes including probes integrated with surgical probes, scalpels, scissors, forceps and biopsy instruments. Hand held probes include forward scanning lasers. The imaging system is also applicable to laparoscopes and endoscopes for diagnostc and therapeutic intervention in body orifices, canals, tubes, ducts, vessels and cavities of the body. The imaging system includes application to surgical and high numerical aperture microscopes. An important application of the invention is implantation of the optical probe for periodic or continuous extraction of information from the tissue site where implanted.

Claims

1. An optical imaging system comprising:

a light source;

a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample;

a probe having a housing, said housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing;

a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing, said scanning mechanism causing a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;

a reference arm adjustable to select a predetermined depth within said sample;

a beam splitter positioned to direct light from said light source to both said sample illuminator and said reference arm;

a sample light collector disposed apart from said illuminator and positioned to collect reflected light altered by said sample from said predetermined depth within said sample;

a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;

a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light; and

a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image in response to said signal from said detector.

2. An optical imaging system comprising:

a light source;

a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample;

a probe having a housing, said housing having a longitudinal axis, a first ends a second end, and an outer surface, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing;

a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing and comprising a scanning device selected from the group consisting of a rotating elliptical knob, a wire controlled pivot, a pneumatic device, a rigid tube under tension or an electrostatic device, wherein said device is in communication with an optical element, said optical element selected from a group consisting of a lens, a fiber, said lens and fiber, and a beam deflection element such that actuation of the device causes a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;

a reference arm adjustable to select a predetermined depth within said sample;

a beam splitter positioned to direct light from said light source to both said sample illuminator and said reference arm;

a sample light collector disposed apart from said sample illuminator and positioned to collect reflected light altered by said sample from said predetermined depth within said sample;

a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;

a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light; and

a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image in response to said signal from said detector.

3. The optical system of claim 2 wherein said scanning mechanism comprises:

a position sensitive roller located adjacent to said outer surface of said housing and permitting said housing to move at a substantially fixed distance along a surface in communication with said position sensitive roller.

4. An optical imaging system comprising:

a light source;

a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample;

a probe having a housing, said housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing;

a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing and comprising at least one lens and an electro-optic beam deflector, said scanning mechanism causing a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;

a reference arm adjustable to select a predetermined depth within said sample;

a beam splitter positioned to direct light from said light source to both said sample illuminator and said reference arm;

a sample light collector disposed apart from said sample illuminator and positioned to collect reflected light altered by said sample from said-predetermined depth within said sample;

a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;

a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light; and

a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image in response to said signal from said detector.

5. An optical imaging system comprising:

a light source;

a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample;

a probe having a housing, said housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing;

a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing and comprising a mirror movable in at least one axis, said scanning mechanism causing a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;

a reference arm adjustable to select a predetermined depth within said sample;

a beam splitter positioned to direct light from said light source to both said sample illuminator and said reference arm;

a sample light collector disposed apart from said sample illuminator and positioned to collect reflected light altered by said sample from said-predetermined depth within said sample;

a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;

a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light; and

a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image in response to said signal from said detector.

6. An optical imaging system comprising:

a light source;

a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample;

a probe having a housing, said housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing and being attached to a surgical instrument having an operating tip;

a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing and comprising a scanning device selected from the group consisting of a rotating elliptical knob, a piezoelectric transducer, a wire-controlled pivot, a pneumatic device, a rigid tube under tension or an electrostatic device, wherein said device is in communication with an optical element, said optical element selected from a group consisting of a lens, a fiber, said lens and fiber, and a beam deflection element such that actuation of the device causes a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;

a reference arm adjustable to select a predetermined depth within said sample;

a beam splitter positioned to direct light from said light source to both said sample illuminator and said reference arm;

a sample light collector disposed apart from said sample illuminator and positioned to collect reflected light altered by said sample from said predetermined depth within said sample;

a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;

a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light; and

a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image of the region of said operating tip scanned by light emitted from said probe in response to said signal from said detector.

7. An optical imaging system comprising:

a light source;

a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample;

a probe having a housing, said housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing;

a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing and comprising a scanning device selected from the group consisting of a rotating elliptical knob, a piezoelectric transducer, a wire-controlled pivot, a pneumatic device, a rigid tube under tension or an electrostatic device, wherein said device is in communication with an optical element, said optical element selected from a group consisting of a lens, a fiber, said lens and fiber, and a beam deflection element such that actuation of the device causes a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;

a surgical laser fiber located within said probe housing, said surgical laser capable of incising, coagulating, or disrupting a portion of the sample;

a reference arm adjustable to select a predetermined depth within said sample;

a beam splitter positioned to direct light from said light source to both said sample illuminator and said reference arm;

a sample light collector disposed apart from said sample illuminator and positioned to collect reflected light altered by said sample from said predetermined depth within said sample;

a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;

a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light; and

a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image of the region to be illuminated by said surgical laser in response to said signal from said detector.

8. An optical imaging system comprising:

a light source;

a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample, said sample illuminator comprising;

a housing defining a bore;

an illumination optical fiber having a first end and a second end, said first end located within said bore and said second end in optical communication with said light source;

an optical train having a first and second end and located within said bore;

a beam splitter positioned adjacent said second end of said optical train;

one or more viewing optical components positioned to receive light passing through said beam splitter from said optical train; and

scanning optics positioned to receive light reflected by said beam splitter from said optical train;

a probe having a housing comprising a laparoscope defining a bore, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing;

a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing, said scanning mechanism causing a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;

a reference arm;

a sample light collector positioned to collect light altered by said sample;

a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;

a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light; and

a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image in response to said signal from said detector.

9. The optical imaging system of claim 8, further comprising a surgical laser source in optical communication with said optical train,

wherein said processor produces an image of the region to be illuminated by said surgical laser.