Optical probe with rotation mirror

Provided is an optical probe. The optical probe includes an optical input/output unit, a rotation part spaced apart from the optical input/output unit in a first direction and including a reflection surface, and a transparent electrode provided around the reflection surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0124018, filed on Oct. 17, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure herein relates to an optical probe and an optical probe system including the same, and more particularly, to an optical probe without a shadow section and an optical probe system including the same.

Optical probe technologies have been developed to apply Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Photoacoustic Tomography (PAT), Raman Spectroscopy, Fluorescence Spectroscopy, and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) techniques to endoscopic medical devices in addition to Camera-based endoscopic medical imaging devices. For example, by laterally combining the depth scans of the axial direction in which the light travels, optical-based tomography techniques may be used as a guide for 3D endoscopic imaging or interventional procedures for internal organs of the human body. Furthermore, optical probes for spotting and scanning may be used in a spontaneous spectroscopic diagnosis of tissues near the epidermis, a precise spectroscopy diagnosis of diseased tissue combined with injected photosensitizer, or treatment techniques by irradiation of specific wavelength light.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is to provide an optical probe capable of eliminating shading in a light irradiation section and an optical probe system including the same.

The present disclosure is to provide an optical probe capable of precisely detecting all sections without a shading section and an optical probe system including the same.

The present disclosure is to provide an optical probe capable of improving electrical characteristics such as resistance while using a transparent electrode and an optical probe system including the same.

The present disclosure is to provide an optical probe capable of obtaining an accurate image due to high speed rotation and an optical probe system including the same.

The present disclosure is to provide an optical probe capable of preventing signal distortion due to stress of an optical fiber and an optical probe system including the same.

An embodiment of the inventive concept provides an optical probe including: an optical input/output unit; a rotation part spaced apart from the optical input/output unit in a first direction and including a reflection surface; and a transparent electrode provided around the reflection surface.

In an embodiment, the reflection surface may have an acute angle or obtuse angle with the first direction.

In an embodiment, the optical input/output unit may include a lens and an optical fiber extending in the first direction.

In an embodiment, the optical probe may further include a housing surrounding the optical input/output unit, the rotation part, and the transparent electrode.

In an embodiment, the optical probe may further include: a first power path located in the housing and extending in the first direction along the optical input/output unit; and a second power path located in the housing and extending in the first direction along the rotation part.

In an embodiment, the transparent electrode may be electrically connected to the first power path and the second power path.

In an embodiment, the transparent electrode may further extend in the first direction along the optical input/output unit and the rotation part.

In an embodiment, the transparent electrode may include an anode transparent electrode and a cathode transparent electrode, wherein the anode transparent electrode and the cathode transparent electrode may be spaced apart from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

In an embodiment, a length of the transparent electrode extending along the first direction may be shorter than the optical input/output unit and the rotation part extending along the first direction.

In an embodiment, the housing may include a transparent material.

In an embodiment, the optical probe may further include an optical fiber bundle surrounding the optical fiber and the lens.

In an embodiment of the inventive concept, an optical probe system includes: an optical probe; and a light source unit configured to supply light to the optical probe, wherein the optical probe includes: an optical input/output unit; a rotation part spaced apart from the optical input/output unit in a first direction and including a reflection surface; and a transparent electrode provided around the reflection surface.

In an embodiment, the optical probe system may further include a control unit for controlling the light source unit and the optical probe.

In an embodiment, the optical input/output unit may include a lens and an optical fiber extending in the first direction.

In an embodiment, the optical probe may further include a housing surrounding the optical input/output unit, the rotation part, and the transparent electrode.

In an embodiment, the optical probe may further include: a first power path located in the housing and extending in the first direction along the optical input/output unit; and a second power path located in the housing and extending in the first direction along the rotation part.

In an embodiment, the transparent electrode may be electrically connected to the first power path and the second power path.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to fully understand the configuration and effects of the technical spirit of the inventive concept, preferred embodiments of the technical spirit of the inventive concept will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the technical spirit of the inventive concept is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein and may be implemented in various forms and various modifications may be applied thereto. Only, the technical spirit of the inventive concept is disclosed to the full through the description of the embodiments, and it is provided to those skilled in the art that the inventive concept belongs to inform the scope of the inventive concept completely.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. Embodiments described herein will be described with reference to a perspective view, a front view, a sectional view, and/or a conceptual view, which are ideal examples of the technical idea of the inventive concept. In the drawings, the thicknesses of areas are exaggerated for effective description. Areas exemplified in the drawings have general properties, and are used to illustrate a specific shape of a semiconductor package region. Thus, this should not be construed as limited to the scope of the inventive concept. It will be understood that various terms are used herein to describe various components but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are just used to distinguish a component from another component. Embodiments described herein include complementary embodiments thereof.

The terms used in this specification are used only for explaining specific embodiments while not limiting the inventive concept. The terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless referred to the contrary. The meaning of “comprises,” and/or “comprising” in this specification specifies the mentioned component but does not exclude at least one another component.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the technical spirit of the inventive concept are described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the inventive concept is described in more detail.

FIG. 1is a conceptual diagram illustrating an optical probe and an optical probe system including the same according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 1, an optical probe system may include an optical probe1, a light source unit3, a reception unit5, and a control unit7. The optical probe1may be inserted into a body to irradiate light, and may receive light reflected by an organ, a blood vessel, a living tissue, or the like. The light source unit3may supply light to the optical probe1. In embodiments, the light source unit3may provide visible or near-infrared light. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and electromagnetic waves having different wavelengths may be supplied. The reception unit5may receive light supplied from the light source unit3and reflected from the light source unit3after irradiated by the optical probe1. The control unit7may control the optical probe1, the light source unit3, and the reception unit5. That is, the light supplied from the light source unit3is irradiated to the object to be detected in the body from the optical probe1, and the reflected light may be received by the reception unit5through the optical probe1. The control unit7controls these processes and may interpret the light received by the reception unit5to implement a 3D model and the like. Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the optical probe1will be described in detail.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of an optical probe according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept.

Hereinafter, the right side ofFIG. 2may be referred to as a first direction D1, the upper side may be referred to as a second direction D2, a direction that is orthogonal to the first direction D1and the second direction D2and faces the front may be referred to as a third direction D3. The first direction D1may be referred to as the right side, the second direction D2may be referred to as the upper side, and the third direction D3may be referred to as the front side.

Referring toFIG. 2, the optical probe1includes a housing19, an optical input/output unit11, a rotation part17, a transparent electrode13, a power path15, and a stopper18.

The housing19may extend in the first direction D1. The housing19may have a hollow pillar shape. In embodiments, the cross-section of the housing19may be circular in shape. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto. At least a portion of the housing19may be transparent. It is possible to detect the outside of the housing19inside the housing19through the transparent portion. In embodiments, the entire housing19may be transparent.

The optical input/output unit11may be located within the housing19. The optical input/output unit11may extend along the first direction D1. The optical input/output unit11may irradiate light or receive reflected light after irradiation. The optical input/output unit11may irradiate the light in the first direction D1. The optical input/output unit11may include an optical fiber111, lenses113and115, an input/output housing117, and a fixing means119.

The optical fiber111may extend in the first direction D1. The light may move along the optical fiber111. The light generated in the light source unit3may move along the optical fiber111in the first direction D1and may be irradiated to a detection target. The light reflected by the detection target may move in the opposite direction of the first direction D1along the optical fiber111and may be received by the reception unit5(seeFIG. 1).

The lens may include a first lens113and a second lens115. The first lens113may be disposed at one end of the optical fiber111. The first lens113may prevent light emitted from the optical fiber111from diverging. In embodiments, the first lens113may include GRIN-Lens. The second lens115may be spaced from the first lens113in the first direction D1. The second lens115may refract light emitted through the first lens113. The light emitted through the second lens115may be focused to one side. The focused light may be irradiated in the first direction D1towards the rotation part17.

The input/output housing117may extend in the first direction D1. The input/output housing117may include an insulating material. The input/output housing117may surround the optical fiber111and the lenses113and115. The optical fiber111and the lenses113and115may be protected from external shock or the like by the input/output housing117. The optical fiber111and the lenses113and115may be electrically isolated from the power path15by the input/output housing117. The fixing means119may be located in the input/output housing117. The fixing means119may fix the optical fiber111at a predetermined position.

The rotation part17may be located in the housing19. The rotation part17may be spaced from the input/output housing117in the first direction D1. The rotation part17may be rotated using the first direction D1as an axis. The rotation part17may include a rotation means171, a rotation axis173, a rotation mirror175and an insulating layer177.

The rotation means171may rotate the rotation mirror175by receiving power from the power path15or the like. In embodiments, the rotation means171may include a micromotor.

The rotation axis173may extend from the rotation means171in a direction opposite to the first direction D1. The rotation axis173may connect the rotation means171and the rotation mirror175. The rotation axis173may be rotated by the rotation means171.

The rotation axis173may extend from the rotation means171in a direction opposite to the first direction D1. The rotation mirror175may reflect the light irradiated by the optical input/output unit11. The rotation mirror175may reflect the reflected light from the detection target T (seeFIG. 5) and irradiate it to the optical input/output unit11. The rotation mirror175may be rotated by the rotation axis173. The rotation mirror175may include a reflection surface175a. The reflection surface175amay have a constant angle a with respect to the first direction D1. a may not be 90 degrees. a may be acute or obtuse. Preferably, a may be 45 degrees. When a is 45 degrees, the light irradiated from the optical input/output unit11may be reflected in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

The insulating layer177may surround the rotation means171. The insulating layer177may include an insulating material. The insulating layer177may protect the rotation means171from external shocks and the like. The insulating layer177may electrically insulate the rotation means171from the power path15.

The transparent electrode13may be located in the housing19. The transparent electrode13may include a conductive material. The transparent electrode13may be provided around the reflection surface175a. More specifically, the transparent electrode13may be positioned in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1from the portion where the reflection surface175ais located. Thus, the transparent electrode13may surround the reflection surface175a. The transparent electrode13may extend in the first direction D1from the side of the optical input/output unit11toward the side of the rotation part17.

The peripheral area of the reflection surface175asurrounded by the transparent electrode13may be referred to as an optical window part16. The optical window part16may be located between the optical input/output unit11and the rotation part17. Light reflected at the reflection surface175amay be irradiated outside the optical probe1through the transparent electrode13. That is, the light may be introduced through the optical window part16. In embodiments, the transparent electrode13may extend further along the optical input/output unit11and/or the rotation part17in the first direction D1. Details of the transparent electrode13will be described later with reference toFIGS. 3 to 6.

The power path15may be located in the housing19. The power path15may include a conductive material. The power path15may have a very low electrical resistance. The electrical resistance of the power path15may be lower than the electrical resistance of the transparent electrode13. In embodiments, the power path15may include an opaque material. The power path15may include a first power path151, a second power path153, and a connection power path155. The first power path151may extend along the optical input/output unit11in a first direction D1. The first power path151may transmit power in the first direction D1. The second power path153may extend along the rotation part17in the first direction D1. The connection power path155may connect the second power path153and the rotation means171. The connection power path155may receive power from the first power path153and supply the power to the rotation means171. Details of the power path15will be described later with reference toFIGS. 3 to 6.

The stopper18may be spaced from the rotation part17in the first direction D1. The stopper18may be coupled to one side of the housing19. The stopper18may seal the inside of the housing19.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of an optical probe taken along a line I-I′ ofFIG. 2according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 3, the transparent electrode13may be coupled to the housing19. The transparent electrode13may be deposited or bonded to the inner surface of the housing19in the form of a thin film. The transparent electrode13may include an anode transparent electrode131and a cathode transparent electrode133. The anode transparent electrode131and the cathode transparent electrode133may be approximately semicircular in shape. The anode transparent electrode131and the cathode transparent electrode133may be spaced apart in the second direction D2. The anode transparent electrode131and the cathode transparent electrode133may be separated by the first separation part13aand the second separation part13b. The anode transparent electrode131and the cathode transparent electrode133may be electrically separated by the first separation part13aand the second separation part13b. In embodiments, the first separation part13aand the second separation part13bmay include an insulator. In embodiments, the first separation part13aand the second separation part13bmay include an insulator.

FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view of an optical probe taken along a line II-II′ ofFIG. 2according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 4, the first power path151may be coupled to the transparent electrode13. The first power path151may be press-bonded or epoxy-bonded to the inner surface of the transparent electrode13. The first power path151may include an anode first power path1511and a cathode first power path1513. The anode first power path1511and the cathode first power path1513may be approximately semicircular in shape. The anode first power path1511and the cathode first power path1513may be spaced apart in the second direction D2. The anode first power path1511and the cathode first power path1513may be separated by the third separation part151aand the fourth separation part151b. The anode first power path1511and the cathode first power path1513may be electrically separated by the third separation part151aand the fourth separation part151b. The third separation part151aand the fourth separation part151bmay include an insulator. In embodiments, the third separation part151aand the fourth separation part151bmay include epoxy or air. The third separation part151aand the fourth separation part151bmay be connected to the first separation part13aand the second separation part13b, respectively.

FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation principle of an optical probe according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 5, the light emitted from the light source unit3(seeFIG. 1) may move along the optical fiber111. The light H1emitted through the lenses113and115may be irradiated in the direction of the rotation mirror175. The light H2reflected from the reflection surface175ais emitted through the transparent electrode13and reaches the detection target T. That is, the light H2may exit to the outside of the optical probe1in the optical window part16. The light H2may be reflected by the detection target T and back to the reflection surface175a. That is, the light H2may enter the optical probe1again in the optical window part16. The light H1reflected back to the reflection surface175ais moved to the reception unit5(seeFIG. 1) through the optical fiber111. At this time, power is supplied to the rotation means171through the first power path151, the transparent electrode13, the second power path153, and the connection power path155, and the rotation means171rotates the rotation mirror175. Accordingly, the light may be irradiated in all directions perpendicular to the first direction D1according to the rotation of the reflection surface175a.

According to the optical probe according to the exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, since the light reflected by the reflection surface175auses a transparent electrode13at the exit of the housing19, it may be prevented that the light irradiation is obstructed by the opaque power path15to generate the shadow. The reflection surface175arotates 360 degrees to uniformly irradiate light to the entire area. Detection by the optical probe1may be more accurate.

Depending on the optical probe according to the exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, since the rotation means171rotates only the rotation mirror175, occurrence of signal distortion due to stress according to rotation of the optical fiber111may be prevented. Since only the rotation part17rotates, faster rotation may be possible. The data obtained by the detection of the optical probe1may be more accurate.

Depending on the optical probe according to the exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, since the power path15with lower electrical resistance than the transparent electrode13is used together while the transparent electrode13is used, the overall electrical resistance may be lowered. The length of the portion where only the transparent electrode13is used may be minimized, such that the rise of electrical resistance may be suppressed.

FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of an optical probe according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept.

Hereinafter, substantially the same or similar contents as those described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5may be omitted for convenience of explanation.

Referring toFIG. 6, the optical probe1′ may further include an inner transparent electrode13′. The inner transparent electrode13′ may be coupled to the inner surfaces of the first power path151and the second power path153. In the A-A′ region, the transparent electrode13and the inner transparent electrode13′ may be combined. Details will be described later with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of an optical probe taken along a line A-A′ ofFIG. 6according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 7, the transparent electrode13(seeFIG. 6) may include a first transparent electrode132, a second transparent electrode134, and a third transparent electrode136. The first transparent electrode132and the second transparent electrode134may be separated by a second separation part13b′. The second transparent electrode134and the third transparent electrode136may be separated by a third separation part13c′. The third transparent electrode136and the first transparent electrode132may be separated by a first separation part13a′. In embodiments, each of the first to third transparent electrodes132,134,136may be in the form of a one-third circle. Each of the first to third separation parts13a′,13b′,13c′ may include an insulator. In embodiments, each of the first to third separation parts13a′,13b′, and13c′ may include epoxy or air or the like. Each of the first to third transparent electrodes132,134, and136may provide a three-phase power path.

The inner transparent electrode13′ (seeFIG. 6) may include a first inner transparent electrode132′, a second inner transparent electrode134′, and a third inner transparent electrode136′. Each of the first to third inner transparent electrodes132‘,134’, and136′ may be coupled to the inner surface of each of the first to third transparent electrodes132,134, and136. Each of the first to third inner transparent electrodes132′,134′, and136′ may be spaced apart from each other by each of the first to third separation parts13a′,13b′, and13c′. Since the transparent electrode13and the inner transparent electrode13′ are used, the total thickness of the transparent electrode may be increased. The electrical resistance of the transparent electrode may be reduced. Electrical losses due to the resistance of the transparent electrode may be reduced.

FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view of an optical probe taken along a line B-B′ ofFIG. 6according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 8, a first power path151may be located between the transparent electrode13and the inner transparent electrode13′. The first power path151may include a 1-1 power path1512, a 1-2 power path1514, and a 1-3 power path1516. Each of the 1-1 to 1-3 power paths1512,1514, and1516may be bonded to the inner surfaces of the first to third transparent electrodes132,134, and136by press bonding or epoxy bonding. Each of the 1-1 to 1-3 power paths1512,1514, and1516may be spaced apart from each other by each of the first to third separation parts13a′,13b′, and13c′. Each of the 1-1 to 1-3 power paths1512,1514, and1516may provide a three-phase power path.

FIG. 9is a graph showing experimental results of electrical resistance for an optical probe according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept.

The horizontal axis of the graph ofFIG. 9may mean the ratio of the length of the transparent electrode13(seeFIGS. 2 to 5) in the first direction D1to the width perpendicular to the first direction D1. The vertical axis may refer to the overall electrical resistance (Ohm) when the power electrode15(seeFIGS. 2 to 5) is coupled to the transparent electrode13. The optical transmittance of the transparent electrode13used in this experiment may be approximately 80% or more in the visible and near infrared regions. The electrical resistance of the transparent electrode13may be approximately 10 Ohm/sq. The electrical resistance of the power path15may be very low. The power path15may be substantially a non-resistive conductor.

The first trend line510ofFIG. 9may refer to the length/width ratio and the resistance according thereto when the power path15is bonded to the transparent electrode through compression bonding. The second trend line520may refer to the length/width ratio and the resistance according thereto when the power path15is bonded to the transparent electrode through conductive epoxy. The first trend line510and the second trend line520may correspond to the embodiment of the one-layer transparent electrode described with reference toFIGS. 2 to 5.

The first trend line510ofFIG. 9may refer to the length/width ratio and the resistance according thereto when the power path15is bonded between two-layer transparent electrodes through compression bonding. The fourth trend line540may refer to the length/width ratio and the resistance according thereto when the power path15is bonded between two-layer transparent electrodes through conductive epoxy. The third trend line530and the fourth trend line540may correspond to the embodiment of the two-layer transparent electrode described with reference toFIGS. 6 to 8.

In the first to fourth trend lines510,520,530, and540, as the length/width ratio of the transparent electrode becomes larger, the electrical resistance may increase. That is, as the length of the transparent electrode is shorter and the width is larger, the electrical resistance may decrease.

When comparing the first trend line510and the second trend line520, as compared to using compression bonding, when using conductive epoxy, the electrical resistance may be lower at the same length/width. This may be the same case when the third trend line530and the fourth trend line540are compared.

When comparing the first trend line510and the third trend line530, as compared to using a one-layer transparent electrode, when using a two-layer transparent electrode, the electrical resistance may be lower at the same length/width. This may be the same case when the second trend line520and the fourth trend line540are compared.

FIG. 10is a cross-sectional view of an optical probe according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept.

Hereinafter, substantially the same or similar contents as those described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 5may be omitted for convenience of explanation.

Referring toFIG. 10, an optical probe1″ may further include an optical fiber bundle111′. The optical fiber bundle111′ may be located outside the optical input/output unit11. The optical fiber bundle111′ may extend in the first direction D1. The optical fiber bundle111′ may include a plurality of optical fibers. Details of the optical fiber bundle111′ will be described later with reference toFIG. 11.

FIG. 11is a cross-sectional view of an optical probe taken along a line C-C′ ofFIG. 10according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept.

Referring toFIG. 11, the optical fiber bundle111′ (seeFIG. 10) includes a first optical fiber111a′, a second optical fiber111b′, a third optical fiber111c′, a fourth optical fiber111d′, a fifth optical fiber111e′, a sixth optical fiber111f, a seventh optical fiber111g‘, and an eighth optical fiber111h’. Although it is shown inFIG. 11that the optical fiber bundle includes eight optical fibers, it is not limited thereto. That is, the optical fiber bundle may include a varying number of optical fibers.

The first optical fiber111a′ to the eighth optical fiber111h′ may be spaced apart from the optical input/output unit11by a predetermined distance. The first optical fiber111a′ to the eighth optical fiber111h′ may receive light that is reflected by the detection target and introduced through the reflection surface175a. The amount of light received by the first optical fiber111a′ to the eighth optical fiber111h′ may increase. The accuracy of detection may be improved.

According to the optical probe of the inventive concept and the optical probe system including the same, a shadow may be eliminated from the light irradiation section.

According to the optical probe of the inventive concept and the optical probe system including the same, there is no shading section, so that all sections may be detected accurately.

According to the optical probe of the inventive concept and the optical probe system including the same, electrical characteristics such as resistance may be improved while using a transparent electrode.

According to the optical probe of the inventive concept and the optical probe system including the same, high-speed rotation is possible so that accurate images may be obtained.

According to the optical probe of the inventive concept and the optical probe system including the same, the signal distortion due to the stress of the optical fiber may be prevented.

The effects of the inventive concept are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept have been described, it is understood that the inventive concept should not be limited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes and modifications may be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept as hereinafter claimed.