C12139 Durable OCT Probe with Optimized Reference Power
Invention novelty: The current invention is a durable probe for an OCT system whose reference power may be optimized.
Value Proposition:
Common-path (CP) interferometer based optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems can use a single mode fiber (SMF) probe to serve as both the reference and sample arms. This configuration allows an ultra-thin probe to be integrated with standard surgical instruments to provide various sensing functionalities such as force sensing or depth ranging in intra-operative settings. However, a bare fiber tip without external protection can be very fragile. In addition, once the tip of a bare fiber probe is contaminated during surgical procedure, it is challenging to clean the fiber tip without damaging it. Another drawback of bare fiber probe in CP OCT systems is that the reference power level is not optimal to achieve high signal to noise ratio (SNR) and cannot be adjusted. To solve these problems associated with SMF probes, a tip has been developed with ultra violate (UV) curable epoxy which has the following advantages:
- Protected fiber probe is durable
- Probe can be cleaned conveniently with a typical fiber connector cleaner.
- The reference power can be optimized to achieve improved SNR.
Technical Details:
Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a fiber tip which provides the advantages of an SMF probe without the usual drawbacks. The fiber tip is protected with UV curable epoxy and polished to adjust the reference power level. The reference power is determined by the refractive indices of glass and the media where the probe is operated. The hardened epoxy is polished by a high precision fiber polisher. Instead of being polished to be normal to the fiber axis, the fiber tip is polished at a slight angle. By adjusting the polishing angle, the reference power can be optimized to achieve improved SNR.
Looking for Partners: To develop and commercialize the technology as a durable SMF probe tip with optimized SNR.
Stage of Development: Pre-Clinical
Data Availability: Under CDA/NDA
Patent Status: Pending
Publication(s)/Associated Cases: Not available at this time.
Categories: Medical Imaging
Keywords: OCT, Single mode fiber, UV epoxy, reflectivity,
