Miniature injection-molded optics for fiber optic in vivo confocal microscopy

Matthew D. Chidley; Chen Liang; Michael R. Descour; Kung-Bin Sung; Rebecca R. Richards-Kortum; Ann Gillenwater

doi:10.1117/12.486426

23 December 2002 Miniature injection-molded optics for fiber-optic, in vivo confocal microscopy

Matthew D. Chidley, Chen Liang, Michael R. Descour, Kung-Bin Sung, Rebecca R. Richards-Kortum, Ann Gillenwater

Proceedings Volume 4832, International Optical Design Conference 2002; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.486426
Event: International Optical Design Conference 2002, 2002, Tucson, AZ, United States

Abstract

In collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, a laser scanning fiber confocal reflectance microscope (FCRM) system has been designed and tested for in vivo detection of cervical and oral pre-cancers. This system along with specially developed diagnosis algorithms and techniques can achieve an unprecedented specificity and sensitivity for the diagnosis of pre-cancers in epithelial tissue. The FCRM imaging system consists of an NdYAG laser (1064 nm), scanning mirrors/optics, precision pinhole, detector, and an endoscopic probe (the objective). The objective is connected to the rest of the imaging system via a fiber bundle. The fiber bundle allows the rest of the system to be remotely positioned in a convenient location. Only the objective comes into contact with the patient. It is our intent that inexpensive mass-produced disposable endoscopic probes would be produced for large clinical trials. This paper touches on the general design process of developing a miniature, high numerical aperture, injection-molded (IM) objective. These IM optical designs are evaluated and modified based on manufacturing and application constraints. Based on these driving criteria, one specific optical design was chosen and a detailed tolerance analysis was conducted. The tolerance analysis was custom built to create a realistic statistical analysis for integrated IM lens elements that can be stacked one on top of another using micro-spheres resting in tiny circular grooves. These configurations allow each lens element to be rotated and possibly help compensate for predicted manufacturing errors. This research was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (RO1 CA82880). Special thanks go to Applied Image Group/Optics for the numerous fabrication meetings concerning the miniature IM objective.

Citation Download Citation

Matthew D. Chidley, Chen Liang, Michael R. Descour, Kung-Bin Sung, Rebecca R. Richards-Kortum, and Ann Gillenwater "Miniature injection-molded optics for fiber-optic, in vivo confocal microscopy", Proc. SPIE 4832, International Optical Design Conference 2002, (23 December 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.486426

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