Method and apparatus for microvascular vessel imaging
View Patent ↗Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for microvascular system imaging. In some embodiments, an apparatus for microvascular system imaging is a probe including at least one high-resolution image sensor module, at least one lens set, one or more optical filters, an illumination source, and a housing. In some embodiments, the lens set may be a miniature lens set. In some embodiments, the housing may be a tube structure. In some embodiments, the tube may be covered with a protective and/or sterile cover. The cover may be optically non-distorting. The imaging probe may additionally include a removable cap.
1 . An imaging probe for imaging a microvascular system component, the probe comprising:
an imaging tube with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the imaging tube internally houses at least one image sensor, at least one lens set, and an illumination source;
a body connected to the proximal end of the imaging tube;
a distal element disposed at the distal end of the imaging tube, the distal element comprising a curved, distal-facing surface with a first radius of curvature; and
a removable cap configured to fit over the distal element and over at least a distal portion of the imaging tube,
wherein the removable cap is formed from a rigid material and comprises a cylindrical body and a curved, optically transparent distal-facing surface, wherein the cylindrical body and curved, optically transparent distal-facing surface join to form an edge,
wherein the curved, optically transparent distal-facing surface comprises a second radius of curvature that substantially matches the first radius of curvature.
2 . The imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the at least one image sensor is a color charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor, a black and white CCD sensor, a color complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, or a black and white CMOS sensor.
3 . The imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the imaging tube comprises an adjustable focal plane ranging from 0.2 mm to 5 mm beyond the distal end of the imaging tube.
4 . The imaging probe of claim 3 , wherein the adjustable focal plane is adjusted by one or more of an embedded auto-focus mechanism in the imaging tube or an autofocus algorithm implemented in a separate processing board.
5 . The imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the illumination source comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted at or near the distal end of the imaging tube.
6 . The imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the illumination source comprises at least one optical fiber disposed along a wall of the imaging tube and terminating at or near the distal end of the imaging tube.
7 . The imaging probe of claim 6 , wherein a laser source is connected to the at least one optical fiber.
8 . The imaging probe of claim 6 , wherein a polarizing film covers a distal terminal end of the at least one optical fiber.
9 . The imaging probe of claim 8 , wherein the illumination source comprises a plurality of optical fibers.
10 . The imaging probe of claim 9 , wherein each optical fiber is covered by the polarizing film.
11 . The imaging probe of claim 10 , wherein a polarization direction of the polarizing film is not aligned across the plurality of optical fibers covered with the polarizing film.
12 . The imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the removable cap has a length that substantially matches a length of the imaging tube.
13 . The imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the removable cap includes a scannable symbol or pattern configured to enable one or more of use authorization, misuse prevention, or imaging calibration.
14 . The imaging probe of claim 1 , wherein the removable cap is configured to attach to the probe tube via one or more of a friction fit, a rotation lock, a spring lock, a snap fit, or combinations thereof.
15 . A method of imaging a mammalian microvascular system component, the method comprising: contacting a tissue surface with an imaging probe as in claim 1 ; and imaging the microvascular system component.