Patent Description:
As is known in the art, fiber optic endoscopy is typically conducted by transmitting an image through an array of fibers often referred to as a fiber bundle. While successful for a variety of medical and non-medical applications, utilization of an array of fibers to form the image imposes constraints on the cost, diameter, and flexibility of the imaging device. In an attempt to overcome these drawbacks, multiple approaches employing a single optical fiber have been proposed for miniature, flexible endoscopes. For example, one technique for confocal imaging with a single fiber has been implemented by utilizing the core of a single-mode fiber as both the source and the detection apertures. Also, miniature confocal microscope probes and endoscopes have been constructed by adding a mechanical micro-scanner at the tip of a single-mode fiber. Another single-fiber method for miniature endoscopy (referred to as spectral encoding) uses a broadband light source and a diffraction grating to spectrally encode reflectance across a transverse line within the sample.

In ophthalmic treatments it is common to use an optical beam to treat a patient's eye, for example, using visible laser light to treat diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Traditionally, adjustable optical beam diameters have been produced using a fixed light source with either a zoom lens or turret assembly to vary the magnification level. Alternatively, the optical beam may be defocused by changing the distance between the target and the last lens in the chain of optical elements to vary the beam spot size. While these techniques vary the beam spot size satisfactorily, they involve moving elements with large moments of inertia that lead to increases in fabrication costs and have speed limitations on beam spot adjustment.

To address certain of these shortcomings, other systems have been developed that have the ability to adjust beams, spot sizes and spot shapes, for example at the treatment plane to overcome some of the above-identified limitations. For example, <CIT> describes an optical delivery system and method for providing adjustable beam diameter, spot size and/or spot shape by modifying optical characteristics of beams, varying objects such as fibers or other optical elements, etc., to achieve final beam diameter of a desired size and shape.

As disclosed in other prior described systems, the core of the single-mode fiber acts as both the source and the detection apertures for these techniques. As is also known, one important design parameter for single-fiber endoscopy is the modal profile of the optical fiber. Single-mode optical fibers enable high resolution imaging with small and flexible imaging probes, but suffer from relatively poor light throughput. Furthermore, the small core of the single-mode fiber acts similarly to a pinhole in free-space confocal microscopy, preventing the detection of out-of-focus light. For endoscopic applications, this optical sectioning may not be desirable since a large depth of field, large working distance, and wide field of view are typically preferred. For endoscopic microscopy applications, optical sectioning may be sacrificed for increased light throughput. When illuminated by coherent sources, imaging via single-mode fibers also introduces so-called speckle noise, which significantly reduces the effective resolution and quality of the images.

Replacing the single-mode fiber with a relatively large diameter multi-mode optical fiber enables higher optical throughput and decreases speckle noise. Unfortunately, utilization of a large diameter multi-mode fiber severely deteriorates the system's point-spread function and prevents the use of interferometry for high sensitivity and three-dimensional detection. Recently, significant progress has been made developing high power fiber lasers utilizing double-clad (also called "dual-clad") optical fibers. These fibers are unique in their ability to support single mode propagation through the core with multi-mode propagation through the inner cladding.

Therefore, a need exists for an improved technique of spot size adjustment utilizing multi-clad fibers.

Further, patent document <CIT> discloses an apparatus and method for illuminating a sample. With such an apparatus and/or method, it is possible to, using at least one source arrangement, provide at least one first electro-magnetic radiation. Using an optical system of an optics arrangement, it is possible to receive the first electro-magnetic radiation(s), and modifying the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to be at least one second electro-magnetic radiation so as to be forwarded to the sample. Further, with the optical system, it is possible to extend the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation into or across the sample for a distance of at least <NUM> times the Raleigh range of a Gaussian beam when the optics arrangement and the sample are stationary with respect to one another. Additionally, using the optical system, it is possible to control a placement of a focus of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation on or in the sample.

Patent document <CIT> discloses an apparatus for controlling at least one of at least two sections of at least one fiber. The apparatus can include an arrangement which may be provided between the first and second sections of a particular continuous fiber of the fibers. A particular one of the first and second sections may be provided in a particular orientation that is perpendicular to an extension of the particular fiber. The arrangement is capable of controlling the particular fiber such that the particular one of the sections is capable of being rotated for at least <NUM>° with respect to the particular orientation. The arrangement can include a further arrangement that is capable of at least partially wrapping the particular fiber around the second arrangement, and controlling the particular fiber such that the particular one of the sections is capable of being rotated with respect to the particular orientation during a transmission of the electro-magnetic radiation.

In addition, patent document <CIT> discloses that a system, for use with a cannula insertable into human or animal tissue, for measuring relative motion during a surgical procedure includes a probe having a probe tip insertable into the cannula, and means for determining relative motion between the cannula and the probe tip.

The above-mentioned problems and the resulting object are/is solved by the subject-matters according to the independent claims. Further advantageous configurations of the invention can be drawn from the dependent claims.

The various embodiments herein generally relate to optical imaging, and more particularly to a method and system for using multi-clad fiber in ophthalmic procedures for spot size selection, i.e., selection of an optical signal presented in the form of an optical beam having a particular radius. In an embodiment, an optical system is provided which includes a plurality of lens arrays, one or more galvanometers, and a plurality of double-clad fibers (also referred to herein as "dual-clad fiber(s)") to propagate an optical signal. Each of the plurality of dual-clad fibers includes a core and two claddings where one (i.e., inner) cladding surrounds the core and where the other (i.e., outer) cladding surrounds the inner cladding of the dual-clad fiber.

In an embodiment, a method is provided for spot size selection in ophthalmic procedures in which an indication of a spot size selection is received from a user and a spot size corresponding to the spot size selection is generated by propagating an optical signal through an optical system via one of the claddings of a dual-clad optical fiber.

Advantageously, the various embodiments herein provide an improved technique for varying an optical characteristic of an optical beam, i.e., spot size adjustment, through the use of a multi-clad fiber and selectively targeting the core or cladding(s) of such fiber. This facilitates selectively directing and/or redirecting the optical signal to the core or cladding(s)) to deliver the desired adjusted spot size.

These and other advantages of the embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

The various embodiments herein generally relate to optical imaging, and more particularly, to a method and system for using multi-clad fiber in ophthalmic procedures for spot size selection, i.e., selection of an optical signal presented in the form of an optical beam having a particular radius. In an embodiment, an optical system is provided which includes a plurality of lens arrays, one or more galvanometers, and a plurality of dual-clad fibers to propagate an optical signal. Each of the plurality of dual-clad fibers includes a core and two claddings where one (i.e., inner) cladding surrounds the core and where the other (i.e., outer) cladding surrounds the inner cladding of the dual-clad fiber. As will be appreciated, the principles encompassed in the ophthalmic embodiments detailed herein apply equally to other applications such as photomedicine or other applications requiring the delivery of precise spot size selection and/or adjustment.

<FIG> illustrates optical system <NUM> having a multi-clad fiber for spot size selection in ophthalmic procedures according to an embodiment. Optical system <NUM> includes a plurality of dual-clad fibers <NUM> and <NUM> where each of the dual-clad fibers <NUM> and <NUM> is capable of generating more than one spot size as described in detail herein below. Optical system <NUM> also includes computer <NUM>, optical signal source <NUM>, at least one galvanometer <NUM> and a plurality of lens arrays 108A and 108B. In the embodiment, dual-clad fibers <NUM> and <NUM> are identical or substantially identical (i.e., having an identical or substantially identical configuration and dimensions of a core and claddings). In a further embodiment, dual-clad fibers <NUM> and <NUM> differ more significantly (i.e., dual-clad fiber <NUM> having a configuration and dimensions of a core and claddings that are different from a configuration and dimensions of a core and claddings of dual-clad fiber <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrate exemplary known dual-clad optical fibers 200a, 200b, and 200c, respectively. It is to be understood that any of the dual-clad fibers 200a, 200b, or 200c may be used in optical system <NUM> as dual-clad fibers <NUM> and <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, while each dual-clad fiber 200a, 200b, and 200c includes a centrally-placed core 202a, 202b, and 202c, respectively, the diameter of claddings 204a and 206a can differ from diameters 204b and 206b. It is to be understood that cladding shape can be different from a traditional radial configuration. For example, <FIG> illustrates dual-clad fiber 200c which has one such cladding shape for cladding 204c and 206c. It is also to be understood that while dual-clad optical fiber 200a may be used as dual-clad fiber <NUM> and dual-clad optical fiber 200b may be used as dual-clad fiber <NUM>. It is also to be understood that optical system <NUM> may employ any combination of known dual-clad fibers.

Returning to <FIG>, in accordance with an embodiment, optical signal source <NUM>, controlled by computer <NUM>, via communication channel <NUM>, emits optical signal <NUM> which is propagated to galvanometer <NUM>. In one embodiment, galvanometer <NUM> is controlled by computer <NUM>, via communication channel <NUM>, to change orientation of its reflective surfaces in three-dimensional space. Change of orientation of reflective surfaces of galvanometer <NUM> allows redirection of optical signal <NUM> to be directed to lens arrays 108A and/or 108B. For example, galvanometer <NUM> may be oriented in such a way that optical signal <NUM> is directed, as optical signal 109a, to lens array 108A. In another example, galvanometer <NUM> may be oriented in such a way that optical signal <NUM> is directed, as optical signal 109b, to lens array 108B. In yet another example, galvanometer <NUM> may be oriented in such a way that optical signal is split to be directed to lens array 108A and to lens array 108B simultaneously. It is to be understood that although <FIG> shows only two lens arrays 108A and 108B, optical system <NUM> may have any number of lens arrays and associated configurations.

As shown in <FIG>, each of lens arrays 108A and 108B is associated with a dual-clad fiber. Specifically, lens array 108A is associated with dual-clad fiber <NUM> and lens array 108B is associated with dual-clad fiber <NUM>. It is to be understood that although <FIG> shows each of lens arrays 108A and 108B being associated with one dual-clad fiber, each lens array may be associated with any number of dual-clad fibers.

Each of lens arrays 108A and 108B includes one or more optical lenses situated in such a way as to modify the geometry of an optical signal it propagates. Optical lenses included in each of the plurality of lens arrays may be converging lenses, diverging lenses, collimating lenses, or any combination thereof.

Upon modifying the geometry of optical signal, the lens arrays output the modified optical signal, via the dual-clad fiber, to a user of the optical system <NUM>. Specifically, lens array 108A is configured to modify the geometry of optical signal 109a and transmit modified optical signal to a user of optical system <NUM> by redirecting optical signal 109a to inner clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> (i.e., optical signal 113a) or outer clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> (i.e., optical signal 113b), depending on the requested spot size selection by the user. Similarly, lens array 108B is configured to modify the geometry of optical signal 109b and transmit modified optical signal to a user of optical system <NUM> by redirecting optical signal 109b to inner clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> (i.e., optical signal 115a) or outer clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> (i.e., optical signal 115b), depending on the requested spot size selection by the user. It is to be understood that lens arrays 108A can redirect optical signal 109a to inner clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> or outer clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> simultaneously. Similarly, lens array 108B can redirect optical signal 109b to inner clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> and outer clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> simultaneously.

Advantageously, the various embodiments herein provide an improved technique for varying an optical characteristic of an optical beam, i.e., spot size adjustment, through the use of a multi-clad fiber and selectively targeting the core or cladding(s) of such fiber (i.e., selectively directing and/or redirecting the optical signal to the core or cladding(s)) to deliver the desired adjusted spot size.

It is to be understood that optical system <NUM> employs dual-clad fibers 108A and 108B individually depending on a functional architecture of optical system <NUM> and depending on the need of a user of the optical system <NUM> to select an optical signal having a particular spot-size appropriate for a certain procedure.

For example, if a user of optical system <NUM> requires an optical signal to have a first spot-size (e.g., <NUM>) for an ophthalmic procedure, computer <NUM> controls optical signal source <NUM> to generate optical signal <NUM>, propagates optical signal <NUM> to galvanometer <NUM> which causes redirection of optical signal (i.e., optical signal 109a) to lens array 108A. In turn, lens array 108A modifies the geometry of optical signal 109a to generate optical signal 113a to be propagated via inner clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> to transmit an image to a user of the optical system <NUM>.

If a user of optical system <NUM> requires an optical signal to have a second spot-size (e.g., where the second spot-size is different from the first spot-size, illustratively, <NUM>) for an ophthalmic procedure, computer <NUM> controls optical signal source <NUM> to generate optical signal <NUM>, propagate optical signal <NUM> to galvanometer <NUM> which causes redirection of optical signal (i.e., optical signal 109a) to lens array 108A. In turn, lens array 108A modifies the geometry of optical signal 109a to generate optical signal 113b to be propagated via outer clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> to transmit an image to a user of the optical system <NUM>.

If a user of optical system <NUM> requires an optical signal to have a third spot-size (e.g., where the third spot-size is different from the second spot-size and the first spot-size, illustratively, <NUM>) for an ophthalmic procedure, computer <NUM> controls optical signal source <NUM> to generate optical signal <NUM>, propagate optical signal <NUM> to galvanometer <NUM> which causes redirection of optical signal (i.e., optical signal 109b) to lens array 108B. In turn, lens array 108B modifies the geometry of optical signal 109b to generate optical signal 115a to be propagated via inner clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> to transmit an image to a user of the optical system <NUM>.

If a user of optical system <NUM> requires an optical signal to have a fourth spot-size (e.g., where the fourth spot-size is different from the third spot-size, the second spot-size, and the first spot-size, illustratively, <NUM>) for an ophthalmic procedure, computer <NUM> controls optical signal source <NUM> to generate optical signal <NUM>, propagate optical signal <NUM> to galvanometer <NUM> which causes redirection of optical signal (i.e., optical signal 109b) to lens array 108B. In turn, lens array 108B modifies the geometry of optical signal 109b to generate optical signal 115b to be propagated via outer clad <NUM> of dual-clad fiber <NUM> to transmit an image to a user of the optical system <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart of illustrative operations <NUM> for spot size selection in ophthalmic procedures according to an embodiment. Illustratively, operations <NUM> are utilized by optical system <NUM> (see, <FIG>) in generating a requested spot-size for ophthalmic procedures. In accordance with the embodiment, optical system <NUM> will initiate the method, at step <NUM>, for receiving a spot size selection (illustratively, as indicated from the user of optical system <NUM>). The indication of a spot size selection can be in a form of an electronic signal sent by an input device used by a user of the optical system (e.g., ophthalmic equipment) to enter a command to select an appropriate spot size. The input device used by a user can be a user interface that allows a user to enter commands in a variety of well-known ways such as by pressing one or more buttons, pressing one or more areas on touch-screen of the user interface, engaging a manual controller (e.g., joystick), providing a voice command, or using a haptic device.

At step <NUM>, generating the requested spot size using the first cladding of the dual-clad fiber is undertaken in response to receiving the spot size selection. In the embodiment, upon receiving the spot size selection, the optical signal generated by optical signal source <NUM> of optical system <NUM> is propagated to galvanometer <NUM> which causes redirection of optical signal to a lens array. In turn, a lens array modifies the geometry of optical signal and propagates a geometrically-modified optical signal to a user of optical system <NUM> via one of the claddings of a dual-clad fiber. A person skilled in the art will understand that optical system <NUM> may contain any number of dual-clad fibers to accommodate propagation of optical signal having a desired spot-size.

At step <NUM>, the method continues by receiving a second spot size selection (again, illustratively, from a user of optical system <NUM>). The indication of the second spot size selection can be in a form similar to the one as discussed at step <NUM> above. Provided that the second spot size selection differs from the previous spot size selection (see, step <NUM>, where such a determination is performed), step <NUM> continues in generating the indicated second spot size using the second cladding of the dual-clad fiber, as detailed herein above, in response to receiving the second spot size selection. In the embodiment, the second spot size is generated by switching the propagation of the optical signal from a one cladding of the dual-clad fiber to one other cladding of the dual-clad fiber. A person skilled in the art will understand that characteristics of the two claddings of the dual-clad fiber must differ, such as the depth of each cladding, its positioning (i.e., inner or outer) respective to a core of the dual-clad fiber, configuration of boundaries of each cladding, and the like. It is to be understood that, while the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrates a dual-clad fiber for spot size selection in ophthalmic procedures, the optical system can use an optical fiber containing any number of cladding(s) for spot size selection.

As detailed above in the illustrative embodiments, galvanometers are utilized in selectively propagating the optical signal by targeting the core or one of the claddings of the multi-clad fiber. Of course, it will be understood that this is illustrative in nature and the selective targeting of the core and/or claddings can be accomplished in embodiments by any means such as adjusting the relative position of the optical fiber and beam, or by adjusting the spot size or divergence, to name just a few.

As detailed above, the various embodiments herein can be embodied in the form of methods and apparatuses for practicing those methods. The disclosed methods may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, firmware, middleware, and computer-readable medium (collectively "computer") installed in and/or communicatively connected to a user device. <FIG> is a high-level block diagram of an exemplary computer <NUM> that may be used for implementing a method for spot size selection for ophthalmic procedures in accordance with the various embodiments herein. Computer <NUM> comprises a processor <NUM> operatively coupled to a data storage device <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. Processor <NUM> controls the overall operation of computer <NUM> by executing computer program instructions that define such operations. Communications bus <NUM> facilitates the coupling and communication between the various components of computer <NUM>. The computer program instructions may be stored in data storage device <NUM>, or a non-transitory computer readable medium, and loaded into memory <NUM> when execution of the computer program instructions is desired. Thus, the steps of the disclosed method (see, <FIG>) and the associated discussion herein above) can be defined by the computer program instructions stored in memory <NUM> and/or data storage device <NUM> and controlled by processor <NUM> executing the computer program instructions. For example, the computer program instructions can be implemented as computer executable code programmed by one skilled in the art to perform the illustrative operations defined by the disclosed method. Accordingly, by executing the computer program instructions, processor <NUM> executes an algorithm defined by the disclosed method. Computer <NUM> also includes one or more communication interfaces <NUM> for communicating with other devices via a network (e.g., a wireless communications network) or communications protocol (e.g., Bluetooth®). For example, such communication interfaces may be a receiver, transceiver or modem for exchanging wired or wireless communications in any number of well-known fashions. Computer <NUM> also includes one or more input/output devices <NUM> that enable user interaction with computer <NUM> (e.g., camera, display, keyboard, mouse, speakers, microphone, buttons, etc.).

Processor <NUM> may include both general and special purpose microprocessors, and may be the sole processor or one of multiple processors of computer <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may comprise one or more central processing units (CPUs), for example. Processor <NUM>, data storage device <NUM>, and/or memory <NUM> may include, be supplemented by, or incorporated in, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and/or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

Data storage device <NUM> and memory <NUM> each comprise a tangible non-transitory computer readable storage medium. Data storage device <NUM>, and memory <NUM>, may each include high-speed random access memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR RAM), or other random access solid state memory devices, and may include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, semiconductor memory devices, such as erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM) disks, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices.

Input/output devices <NUM> may include peripherals, such as a camera, printer, scanner, display screen, etc. For example, input/output devices <NUM> may include a display device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), plasma or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor for displaying information to the user, a keyboard, and a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball by which the user can provide input to computer <NUM>.

It should be noted that for clarity of explanation, the illustrative embodiments described herein may be presented as comprising individual functional blocks or combinations of functional blocks. The functions these blocks represent may be provided through the use of either dedicated or shared hardware, including, but not limited to, hardware capable of executing software. Illustrative embodiments may comprise digital signal processor ("DSP") hardware and/or software performing the operation described herein. Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative functions, operations and/or circuitry of the principles described in the various embodiments herein. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flowcharts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, program code and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer, machine or processor, whether or not such computer, machine or processor is explicitly shown. One skilled in the art will recognize that an implementation of an actual computer or computer system may have other structures and may contain other components as well, and that a high level representation of some of the components of such a computer is for illustrative purposes.

Claim 1:
A method for spot size selection, the method comprising:
receiving, at an optical system (<NUM>), a spot size selection;
generating a spot size corresponding to the spot size selection by propagating an optical signal (113a, 113b, 115a, 115b) using a first cladding (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of a dual-clad optical fiber (<NUM>, <NUM>);
receiving, at the optical system (<NUM>), a second spot size selection; and
generating a second spot size corresponding to the second spot size selection by propagating the optical signal (113a, 113b, 115a, 115b) using a second cladding (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the dual-clad optical fiber (<NUM>, <NUM>).