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Apparatus and method for selective data collection and signal to noise ratio enhancement using optical coherence tomography
Assignee: LightLab Imaging Inc
•
Filing: 2001-04-06
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Granted: 2003-04-22
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Expires: 2021-04-06
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatuses are provided for performing optical imaging on a sample. The method and apparatuses continually adjust the path-length of a reference arm or data acquisition in a manner such that imaging information is obtained only from a longitudinal range that contains a selective portion of a sample from which imaging information is to be obtained. The apparatuses include a starting point adjustment device that determines a point with respect to a sample at which imaging information collection is to be started. A controller then controls a second scanning mechanism, in addition to a first scanning mechanism, such that imaging information is obtained only from a longitudinal range that contains a selective portion of a sample from which imaging information is to be obtained. In this way, the amount of data collected can be reduced to that within the area of interest.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Magnin
- 👤 John W. Goodnow
- 👤 Christopher L. Petersen
- 👤 Joseph Schmitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0062; A61B5/0066; G; G01; G01B; G01B9/00; G01B9/02; G01B9/02055; G01B9/02062; G01B9/02067; G01B9/02083; G01B9/0209; G01B9/02091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
A system for performing optical imaging on a sample, comprising: an optical radiation source; a sample arm terminating in a probe assembly, the probe assembly comprising a first scanning mechanism that controls the transverse or angular position on a sample at which imaging is performed, the sample position being selectively varied by the first scanning mechanism to scan a sample in at least one transverse or angular dimension; a reference arm comprising a reference optical reflector; a first optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to the probe assembly and a second optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to the reflector, the optical source applying optical radiation through the first optical path and the probe assembly to a sample and through the second optical path to the reflector; a second scanning mechanism that determines a longitudinal range relative to the probe assembly from which imaging information is obtained; a starting point adjustment device that determines a point with respect to a sample at which imaging information collection is to be started; a controller that controls the second scanning mechanism, wherein imaging information is obtained only from a longitudinal range that contains a selective portion of a sample from which it is desired that imaging information be obtained; an optical combiner that combines reflections from the sample received through the first optical path and reflections from the reflector received through the second optical path, the resulting combined optical output having optical interference fringes; a detector that detects the output; and a processor that processes the detected output to obtain a selected image of the sample.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
267 words
A system for performing optical imaging on a sample, comprising: an optical radiation source; a sample arm terminating in a probe assembly, the probe assembly comprising a first scanning mechanism that controls the transverse or angular position on a sample at which imaging is performed, the sample position being selectively varied by the first scanning mechanism to scan a sample in at least one transverse or angular dimension; a reference arm comprising a reference optical reflector; a first optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to the probe assembly and a second optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to the reflector, the optical source applying optical radiation through the first optical path and the probe assembly to a sample and through the second optical path to the reflector; a second scanning mechanism that determines a longitudinal range relative to the probe assembly from which imaging information is obtained; a starting point adjustment device that determines a point with respect to a sample at which imaging information collection is to be started; a controller that controls the second scanning mechanism, wherein imaging information is obtained only from a longitudinal range that contains a selective portion of a sample from which it is desired that imaging information be obtained; an optical combiner that combines reflections from the sample received through the first optical path and reflections from the reflector received through the second optical path, the resulting combined optical output having optical interference fringes; a detector that detects the output; and a processor that processes the detected output to obtain a selected image of the sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a boundary detector that detects a boundary of the sample, wherein in response to an output of the boundary detector, the starting point adjustment device determines a point with respect to a sample at which imaging information is collected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 2 , wherein a starting point of each image line of an image is at or near a boundary of the sample.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 2 , wherein the sample is a vessel and the starting point of each image line of an image is at or near the vessel wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 2 , wherein the starting point adjustment device corrects the eccentricity of the image when the probe assembly is located off-center in a vessel lumen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 5 , wherein the boundary detector is a manual input device that allows a user to input a closest edge of the sample with respect to the probe assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 6 , wherein the manual input device comprises at least one of a joy stick, mouse and rollerball, and a corresponding controller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system according to claim 6 , wherein the second scanning mechanism comprises a galvanometer to which the reflector is attached, wherein the correction is accomplished by adjusting the amplitude and baseline of a cardioid-shaped waveform applied to the galvanometer according to a position an operator enters.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system according to claim 8 , wherein the starting point adjustment device determines both an internal window reflection from the probe assembly as well as the inner radius of the sample, draws a best fit circle to each, then determines a required movement to make the two circles concentric, thereby determining the amplitude and offset of a required cardioid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 9 , wherein the galvanometer drives the reflector to create a slowly varying delay that is varying substantially cyclically each frame and is added to a second reference arm delay that is varying substantially cyclically each line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system according to claim 2 , wherein the second scanning mechanism comprises a galvanometer to which the reflector is attached, wherein the starting point adjustment device dynamically controls the inner radius or start point of each image line via the galvanometer by adjusting the reference arm on a per cycle or frame basis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 2 , wherein the starting point adjustment device comprises an optical delay line, the starting point adjustment device dynamically controlling the inner radius or starting point of each image line via the optical delay line by adjusting the reference arm on a per cycle or frame basis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system according to claim 12 , wherein the second scanning mechanism drives the reflector to create a slowly varying delay that is varying substantially cyclically each frame and is added to a second reference arm delay that is substantially cyclically each line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 12 , wherein the system is a microscopy optic coherence tomography system and the point with respect to a sample at which imaging information is collected is at or near the sample surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system according to claim 2 , wherein a variable starting point of each image line of an image is used to compensate for at least one of patient respiratory motion, cardiac motion, muscle tremors, and variations in the distance to the surface of the sample.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the starting point adjustment device corrects the eccentricity of the image when the probe assembly is located off-center in a vessel lumen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system produces a substantially annular image whose inner radius starts beyond an outer radius of the probe assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 17 , wherein the inner radius starts at a predetermined depth in the scan.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 17 , wherein the image has a variable radius as a function of angle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 17 , wherein the sample is a vessel and the inner radius or start point of each image line is at or near the vessel wall.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal range comprises a range starting beyond an outer radius of the probe assembly and extending to a maximum image depth or less capable by the optical imaging system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal range comprises a range starting substantially before or at a boundary of the sample and extending to a maximum image depth or less capable by the optical imaging system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the starting point adjustment device comprises a third scanning mechanism, the starting point adjustment device dynamically controlling the inner radius or starting point of each image line via the third scanning mechanism by adjusting the reference arm on a per cycle or frame basis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 23 , wherein the third scanning mechanism comprises a galvanometer.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
253 words
A method for performing optical imaging on a sample using an optical imaging device comprising an optical radiation source; a sample arm terminating in a probe assembly, the probe assembly comprising a first scanning mechanism that controls the transverse or angular position on a sample at which imaging is performed, the sample position being selectively varied by the first scanning mechanism to scan a sample in at least one transverse or angular dimension; a reference arm comprising a reference optical reflector; a first optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to the probe assembly and a second optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to the reflector, the optical source applying optical radiation through the first optical path and the probe assembly to a sample and through the second optical path to the reflector; a second scanning mechanism that determines a longitudinal range with respect to a sample from which imaging information is obtained; an optical combiner that combines reflections from the sample received through the first optical path and reflections from the reflector received through the second optical path, the resulting combined optical output having optical interference fringes; a detector that detects the output; and a processor that processes the detected output to obtain a selected image of the sample, the method comprising: determining a longitudinal range containing a selective portion of a sample from which it is desired that imaging information be obtained; and controlling the second scanning mechanism to obtain imaging information only from the determined longitudinal range.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
253 words
A method for performing optical imaging on a sample using an optical imaging device comprising an optical radiation source; a sample arm terminating in a probe assembly, the probe assembly comprising a first scanning mechanism that controls the transverse or angular position on a sample at which imaging is performed, the sample position being selectively varied by the first scanning mechanism to scan a sample in at least one transverse or angular dimension; a reference arm comprising a reference optical reflector; a first optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to the probe assembly and a second optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to the reflector, the optical source applying optical radiation through the first optical path and the probe assembly to a sample and through the second optical path to the reflector; a second scanning mechanism that determines a longitudinal range with respect to a sample from which imaging information is obtained; an optical combiner that combines reflections from the sample received through the first optical path and reflections from the reflector received through the second optical path, the resulting combined optical output having optical interference fringes; a detector that detects the output; and a processor that processes the detected output to obtain a selected image of the sample, the method comprising: determining a longitudinal range containing a selective portion of a sample from which it is desired that imaging information be obtained; and controlling the second scanning mechanism to obtain imaging information only from the determined longitudinal range.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein the longitudinal range comprises a range starting beyond an outer radius of the probe assembly and extending to a maximum image depth or less capable by the optical imaging system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 25 , wherein the longitudinal range comprises a range starting substantially before or at a boundary of the sample and extending to a maximum image depth capable by the optical imaging system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 27 , wherein the boundary of the sample is input by a user via a manual input device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 27 , wherein the boundary of the sample is detected by a controller.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
247 words
A system for performing optical imaging on a sample, comprising: an optical radiation source; a sample arm terminating in a probe assembly, the probe assembly comprising a first scanning mechanism that controls the transverse or angular position on a sample at which imaging is performed, the sample position being selectively varied by the first scanning mechanism to scan a sample in at least one transverse or angular dimension; a first optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to the probe and a second optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to a reflector, the optical source applying optical radiation through the first optical path and the probe assembly to a sample and through the second optical path to the reflector; a second scanning mechanism that determines a longitudinal range relative to the probe assembly from which imaging information is obtained; a controller that controls the second scanning mechanism to obtain imaging information from a longitudinal range from which it is desired that imaging information be obtained; a start point adjustment device that determines a point with respect to a sample at which collected imaging information will be utilized; an optical combiner that combines reflections from the sample received through the first optical path and reflections from the reflector received through the second optical path, the resulting combined optical output having optical interference fringes; a detector that detects the output; and a processor that processes the detected output to obtain a selected image of the sample.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
247 words
A system for performing optical imaging on a sample, comprising: an optical radiation source; a sample arm terminating in a probe assembly, the probe assembly comprising a first scanning mechanism that controls the transverse or angular position on a sample at which imaging is performed, the sample position being selectively varied by the first scanning mechanism to scan a sample in at least one transverse or angular dimension; a first optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to the probe and a second optical path optically coupling the optical radiation source to a reflector, the optical source applying optical radiation through the first optical path and the probe assembly to a sample and through the second optical path to the reflector; a second scanning mechanism that determines a longitudinal range relative to the probe assembly from which imaging information is obtained; a controller that controls the second scanning mechanism to obtain imaging information from a longitudinal range from which it is desired that imaging information be obtained; a start point adjustment device that determines a point with respect to a sample at which collected imaging information will be utilized; an optical combiner that combines reflections from the sample received through the first optical path and reflections from the reflector received through the second optical path, the resulting combined optical output having optical interference fringes; a detector that detects the output; and a processor that processes the detected output to obtain a selected image of the sample.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
149 words
A system for collecting position data of a sample, comprising: an interferometer that receives optical radiation and having a first optical path and a second optical path, whereby a first portion of said optical radiation travels along the first optical path and a second portion of said optical radiation travels along the second optical path; an optical path length varying mechanism that varies a length of one of said first and second optical paths; a detector optically coupled to said interferometer for outputting position data by detecting said first and second portions of said optical radiation after traveling along said first and second optical paths, respectively; a controller coupled to said optical path length varying mechanism for controlling the optical path length varying mechanism; and a starting point adjustment device coupled to said controller that determines a point with respect to the sample to start collecting the position data.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
149 words
A system for collecting position data of a sample, comprising: an interferometer that receives optical radiation and having a first optical path and a second optical path, whereby a first portion of said optical radiation travels along the first optical path and a second portion of said optical radiation travels along the second optical path; an optical path length varying mechanism that varies a length of one of said first and second optical paths; a detector optically coupled to said interferometer for outputting position data by detecting said first and second portions of said optical radiation after traveling along said first and second optical paths, respectively; a controller coupled to said optical path length varying mechanism for controlling the optical path length varying mechanism; and a starting point adjustment device coupled to said controller that determines a point with respect to the sample to start collecting the position data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 31 , wherein said optical path length varying mechanism comprises a galvanometer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 31 , wherein said optical path length varying mechanism comprises a variable optical delay line.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 31 , wherein said first optical path comprises a sample arm terminating in a probe assembly.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 34 , wherein said probe assembly comprises a transverse or angular scanning mechanism for scanning in at least one transverse or angular dimension.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 34 , wherein said probe assembly comprises a scanning mechanism.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 31 , wherein said detector outputs imaging information.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 31 , wherein said second optical path comprises a reference arm terminating in a reference optical reflector.
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