Microprobe for 3D bio-imaging, method for fabricating the same and use thereof

• US 7,616,987 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2005
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Agency For Science Technology and Research, National University of Singapore
• Original Assignee: Agency For Science Technology and Research, National University of Singapore
• Inventors: Premachandran, Chirayarikathuveedu Sankarapillai, Ramana, Pamidighantam Venkata, Sheppard, Colin James Richard, Paul, Joseph Suresh, Singh, Janak
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur; Eric F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fernandez; Katherine L
• Application Number:
  US11/244,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20060195019A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 600/476, 600/167, 600/160, 600/473, 600/300, 385/119, 356/123, 356/445
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0066 Optical coherence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0088 for oral or dental tissue

Abstract

A microprobe that is capable of using an incident and reflected radiation ray for three-dimensional (3-D) bio-imaging. The microprobe comprises a hollow body closed at one end and having an aperture at an opposite end, at least one 3-D free space micromirror, at least one focusing lens, and a beam director or a beam coupler or other kind of device for beam coupling or splitting. The beam director is arranged at the aperture end of the hollow body and is adapted to direct the incident ray into the hollow body via the aperture. Within said hollow body is the at least one focusing lens and the at least one micromirror arranged respectively from the aperture, such that the distance between the focusing lens and the micromirror allows for the incident light ray to be directed onto the micromirror.

Claims

1. A microprobe that is capable of using an incident and reflected radiation ray for three-dimensional (3-D) bio-imaging, said microprobe comprising:

a hollow body closed at one end and having an aperture at an opposite end;

a 3-D free space micromirror;

a first focusing lens and second focusing lens;

a gradient index (GRIN) lens;

a beam director;

wherein the beam director is arranged at the aperture end of the hollow body and is adapted to direct at least a part of the incident ray into the hollow body via the aperture;

wherein within said hollow body is the first focusing lens and the micromirror arranged respectively from the aperture, such that the distance between the first focusing lens and the micromirror allows for the incident ray to be directed onto the micromirror; and

wherein the GRIN lens is arranged between the second focusing lens and the micromirror and wherein the GRIN lens allows for the incident ray to be directed onto the micromirror.

2. The microprobe of claim 1, further comprising an RF device, wherein said RF unit is selected from the group consisting of a transmitter, a receiver or a transceiver device.

3. The microprobe of claim 2, wherein the hollow body comprises at least two patterned substrates bonded together.

4. The microprobe of claim 3, wherein the patterned substrates have an inner surface with grooves formed thereon.

5. The microprobe of claim 4, wherein the grooves on the inner surface of the hollow body have the focusing lens, the GRIN lens, or any combination thereof, and the micromirror affixed therein and arranged respectively from the aperture.

6. The microprobe of claim 5, wherein the 3-D free space micromirror comprises:

a crystal silicon micromirror;

a crystal silicon actuator; and

a crystal silicon flexible spring connecting said crystal silicon actuator to said crystal silicon micromirror.

7. The microprobe according to claim 6, wherein the actuation of the one silicon actuator is carried out by a means selected from the group consisting of thermal variation, electrostatic charging and piezoelectric transduction.

8. The microprobe according to claim 6, wherein the 3-D free space micromirror comprises four silicon actuators.

9. The microprobe according to claim 6, wherein the 3-D free space micromirror is adapted to direct and collect light rays in at least one plane, wherein the at least one plane is tilted to the radial axis of the probe.

10. The microprobe according to claim 6, wherein the 3-D free space micromirror is adapted to direct the incident ray onto a surface and to collect back scattered light from said surface about the radial axis or the vertical axis of the microprobe.

11. The microprobe according to claim 6, wherein the 3-D free space micromirror has a diameter that ranges between about 50 micrometers to about 1000 micrometers.

12. The microprobe according to claim 6, wherein the micromirror is affixed to the grooves of the hollow body by high precision bonding means.

13. The microprobe of claim 3, wherein the two patterned substrates having grooves thereon are made from silicon (Si) or glass.