KR102162424B1 - Illuminator for fluorescent imaging system with adjustable field of view based on multi-wavelength light source - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an illuminator for a fluorescence imaging device capable of viewing area adjustment based on a multi-wavelength light source. More particularly, the present invention relates to an illuminator for a fluorescence imaging device capable of simultaneously observing various fluorescence images from multiple phosphors by using a multi-wavelength light source generating multiple wavelengths and adjusting the viewing area of a single or superimposed light source and adjusting an observation area and light output. The illuminator for a fluorescence imaging device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention capable of simultaneous observation of multiple fluorescence images and viewing area adjustment based on a multi-wavelength light source includes: a light source having a plurality of wavelengths; a plurality of optical fibers connected to the light source and transmitting light for each wavelength; a ring-shaped disk having a diameter changing as a result of voltage or temperature application with the optical fibers circularly arranged at regular intervals; a light installed around the disk and emitting white light; and a cylindrical fixing disk supporting the disk and the light. The optical fiber is formed on the ring-shaped disk to be inclined at a predetermined angle (θ), and applies voltage or temperature to the disk to adjust a working distance which is a distance to a region where output beams are overlaped on the disk, thereby implementing fluorescence for nanoparticles in the region where the output beams are overlaped.

Description

{Illuminator for fluorescent imaging system with adjustable field of view based on multi-wavelength light source}, which enables simultaneous observation of multiple fluorescence images based on a multi-wavelength light source.

The present invention relates to a light irradiation device for a fluorescent imaging device capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescent images and adjusting a viewing area based on a multiple wavelength light source, and in detail, by using a multiple wavelength light source generating multiple wavelengths, a plurality of A light irradiation device used in a fluorescent imaging device capable of simultaneously inducing multiple fluorescence images in a multi-wavelength region by excitation of nanoparticles and controlling the field of view (FOV) of a single or superimposed light source ( illuminator). More specifically, by using a multi-wavelength light source such as a variable-wavelength light source, a multi-wavelength light source, and a multi-array light source, it is possible to simultaneously excite a number of various nanoparticles through a light irradiation device, thereby simultaneously obtaining multiple fluorescence images. It relates to a light irradiation device for a fluorescent imaging device, in which the field of view (FOV, filed of view) area of a single or superimposed light source can be adjusted and speckle phenomenon is suppressed.

A typical fluorescence imaging device is a fluorescence image capable of observing changes and structures by condensing exciting light having a single wavelength in clinical trials, animal experiments, and pattern guidance surgery and passing it through an objective lens to irradiate the observation site. System.

Existing fluorescence imaging systems cannot excite a luminous body using a light source using a variety of wavelengths, and because the wavelength of excitation light cannot be changed, simultaneous observation of multiple fluorescence images is impossible, and the viewing area of a single or overlapping light source cannot be adjusted. Do. When a laser light source is used, light emission characteristics may be deteriorated due to the speckle phenomenon.

Here, the'speckle phenomenon' refers to a phenomenon represented by points scattered by interference in a laser image. In other words, bright or dark dots appear scattered in the image due to laser interference. Speckle can be reduced by combining signals obtained with different apertures so that the influence of interference is less.

Therefore, it is possible to obtain a multi-wavelength fluorescence image simultaneously by using a multi-wavelength light source or by implementing excitation light with variable wavelength to excite multiple nanoparticles, freely adjusting the viewing area of a single or overlapping light source, and a speckle phenomenon. There is a need to develop a new fluorescence imaging system capable of acquiring a high-quality fluorescence image by suppressing the signal.

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2019-0067337 (2019.06.17.)

The present invention is to solve the problem of such a conventional fluorescent imaging device, by irradiating light of various wavelengths through a variable wavelength light source, a multi-wavelength light source, a multiple laser array, and a light irradiation device capable of adjusting the field of view. To provide a light irradiation device for a general-purpose fluorescent imaging device, capable of simultaneously observing various fluorescent shapes generated by and controlling the viewing area and light output of a fluorescent image by freely adjusting the viewing area of a single or superimposed light source. have.

The present invention is a general-purpose fluorescent light source capable of tunable wavelength with one system, simultaneously observing multiple fluorescent images generated from multiple phosphors by controlling the viewing area of a single or superimposed light source, and freely adjusting the observation area and light output of the fluorescent image. An object thereof is to provide a light irradiation device for an imaging device. In particular, it is possible to provide a light irradiation device for a fluorescent imaging device capable of simultaneously measuring various fluorescent images of various phosphors using a multi-wavelength light source.

An object of the present invention is to provide a light irradiation device for a general-purpose fluorescent imaging apparatus capable of solving a problem of deteriorating fluorescence image quality due to speckle phenomenon in a conventional fluorescence system and obtaining a high-quality fluorescence image.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are a number of light irradiation devices for a fluorescent imaging device capable of simultaneously observing various fluorescent shapes generated by multiple fluorescent agents based on a multi-wavelength light source and adjusting the viewing area. A light source having a wavelength of; A plurality of optical fibers connected to the light source and transmitting light according to different wavelengths; A ring-shaped disk in which the plurality of optical fibers are arranged to form a circle at regular intervals and whose diameter is changed according to application of voltage or temperature; A lighting lamp installed around the disk to emit white light; And a cylindrical fixed disk supporting the disk and the lighting lamp;

Since the optical fiber is formed to be inclined to the ring-shaped disk at a certain angle (θ), voltage or temperature is applied to the disk to reach the area where the output beam overlaps (or the point where the optical axis overlaps). By adjusting a working distance, which is a distance, fluorescence by a plurality of nanoparticles in a region where the output beam overlaps is realized.

According to a preferred embodiment, when the light source is a laser, a diffuser is installed at the end of the optical fiber to prevent speckle.

According to a preferred embodiment, the light source is an LED, LD, solid state laser, quantum dot laser, or semiconductor optical amplifier light source.

According to a preferred embodiment, the light source having a plurality of wavelengths is a variable-wavelength light source, a multi-wavelength light source, or a multiple array light source.

According to a preferred embodiment, the tunable light source is a Fourier Domain Mode-Locking (FDML) laser, a frequency tunable laser, or a tunable laser.

According to a preferred embodiment, the multi-wavelength light source includes a multi-wavelength laser light source that oscillates at multiple wavelengths in a wavelength region.

According to a preferred embodiment, when the light source is a variable-wavelength light source, a wavelength separator for separating the light from the light source into a plurality of wavelengths by a wavelength separator, wherein the wavelength separated by wavelength is a wavelength. They are transmitted through different optical fibers.

According to a preferred embodiment, when the light source is a multi-array light source consisting of light sources emitting different wavelengths, wavelengths emitted from each light source are transmitted through different optical fibers.

According to a preferred embodiment, when the light source is a multi-array light source composed of light sources having different wavelengths, a light source combiner that combines the wavelengths transmitted from the multi-array light source, and the light emitted from the light source combiner is a power separated by power. It further comprises a separator.

According to the present invention as described above, a light irradiation apparatus for a fluorescent imaging device capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescence images and adjusting a field of view (FOV) based on the multi-wavelength light source of the present invention is as follows. Has the same effect.

First, by using a multi-wavelength light source or implementing excitation light with variable wavelength, the wavelength of the excitation light can be freely controlled. Thus, multiple nanoparticles are excited to obtain a multi-wavelength fluorescence image, thereby simultaneously observing the properties of various phosphors and It can be widely used in general-purpose fluorescent imaging devices capable of antigen analysis and treatment.

Second, since one system can freely control the viewing area of a single or overlapping light source, it can be used as a fluorescence imaging system for use in fluorescence microscopy, clinical trials, animal experiments, and aspect-guided surgery by freely adjusting the observation area and light output. There is an advantage that there is.

Third, there is an advantage in that a high-quality fluorescent image can be provided by suppressing the speckle phenomenon generated by the laser light source.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a light irradiation apparatus for a fluorescent imaging apparatus capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescent images and adjusting a viewing area based on a multi-wavelength light source according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a system configuration diagram of a light irradiation apparatus for a fluorescent imaging apparatus capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescent images and adjusting a viewing area based on a multi-wavelength light source according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a system configuration diagram of a light irradiation apparatus for a fluorescent imaging apparatus capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescent images and adjusting a viewing area based on a multi-wavelength light source according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a plan view of a light irradiator for a fluorescent imaging device capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescence images and adjusting a viewing area based on a multi-wavelength light source according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a light irradiation device Fig. 6 is a plan view of a light irradiator, showing various wavelengths, and Fig. 7 is a front view of the light irradiator.
8 is a perspective view of an optical fiber used in a light irradiation apparatus for a fluorescent imaging apparatus capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescent images and adjusting a viewing area based on a multi-wavelength light source according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and a method of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various forms different from each other, and only these embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those who have it, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

With reference to the accompanying drawings below will be described in detail for the implementation of the present invention. Regardless of the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements, and "and/or" includes each and all combinations of one or more of the mentioned items.

The terms used in this specification are for describing exemplary embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form also includes the plural form unless specifically stated in the phrase. As used in the specification, “comprises” and/or “comprising” do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements other than the mentioned elements.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used as meanings that can be commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly defined specifically.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present invention, a light source for a fluorescent imaging apparatus uses a multi-wavelength light source, which is a light source having a plurality of wavelengths. Here, the light source means an LED, LD, solid state laser, quantum dot laser, or semiconductor optical amplifier light source.

A multi-wavelength light source having a plurality of wavelengths includes a variable-wavelength light source, a multi-wavelength light source, or a multiple array light source.

The tunable light source may be a Fourier Domain Mode-locking (FDML) laser, a frequency tunable laser, or a tunable laser.

The multi-wavelength light source includes a multi-wavelength laser light source that oscillates at multiple wavelengths in a wavelength region.

The light source array (multi-array light source) is an assembly of a plurality of light sources generating a predetermined wavelength. In other words, it will be an aggregate of a plurality of light sources each generating a different predetermined wavelength.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a light irradiation apparatus for a fluorescent imaging apparatus capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescent images and adjusting a viewing area based on a multi-wavelength light source according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 1 shows a case where a variable wavelength light source is used as a multi-wavelength light source.

The variable wavelength light source 11 refers to a Fourier Domain Mode-locking (FDML) laser, a frequency variable laser, or a wavelength variable laser.

The light source generated from the variable-wavelength light source 11 is separated into N wavelengths by the wavelength separator 20. That is, it is divided into λ ₁ , λ _{2 ...} λ _n . Each separated wavelength moves to the light irradiator through the N optical fibers 30.

In the optical fiber 30, N optical fibers are formed so that each separated wavelength is transmitted. Each wavelength divided into N is transmitted to the light irradiator 40 through N optical fibers. In a light irradiator, a beam output through an optical fiber is irradiated onto a number of nanoparticles, and the irradiated beam excites multiple nanoparticles to obtain a multi-wavelength fluorescence image through a camera (especially a 3CCD camera). The structure of the light irradiation device will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 below.

2 is a system configuration diagram of a light irradiation apparatus for a fluorescent imaging apparatus capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescent images and adjusting a viewing area based on a multi-wavelength light source according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment of Fig. 2 shows a case in which a light source array (multi-array light source) is used. The light source array 12 is an assembly in which a plurality of light sources each generating different wavelengths are collected, that is, an assembly of light sources emitting different wavelengths of λ ₁ , λ _2… λ _n .

Since the light source array 12 (multi-array light source) is composed of light sources emitting different wavelengths, each light source is connected to the optical fiber 30 and is directly transmitted to the light irradiator 40 through N optical fibers.

The beam output through the optical fiber from the light irradiator is irradiated to a plurality of nanoparticles, as shown in FIG. 1, and the irradiated beam excites the multiple nanoparticles to obtain a multi-wavelength fluorescence image through a camera (especially a 3CCD camera). have.

3 is a system configuration diagram of a light irradiation apparatus for a fluorescent imaging apparatus capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescent images and adjusting a viewing area based on a multi-wavelength light source according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 uses a light source array 12, which is an assembly of a plurality of light sources generating different wavelengths as light sources, as in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the light source generated from the light source array 12 is transmitted to the light source combiner 22.

The light source combiner 22 combines input different wavelengths. The wavelength combined in the light source combiner is transmitted to the power splitter 24.

In the power separator 24, M pieces are separated by power intensity according to power, and then transmitted to the light irradiator 40 through the optical fiber 30. That is, the power intensity is divided into P ₁ , P _2… P _M and then transmitted to the light irradiator 40.

1 and 2, a beam output through an optical fiber from a light irradiator is irradiated to a plurality of nanoparticles, and the irradiated beam excites the multiple nanoparticles to generate multi-wavelength fluorescence through a camera (especially a 3CCD camera). Images can be acquired.

4 is a plan view of a light irradiator for a fluorescent imaging device capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescence images and adjusting a viewing area based on a multi-wavelength light source according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a light irradiation device Shows the real picture.

4 and 5, the light irradiator 40 includes a disk 42, an optical fiber 30, a lighting lamp 44, and a fixed disk 46.

The disk 42 is a portion in which optical fibers 30 that emit wavelengths transmitted from a light source are disposed at regular intervals. That is, N optical fibers 30 are installed at regular intervals. If the number of optical fibers 30 is N, optical fibers are installed at an interval of 360 degrees/N. As shown, the disk 42 has a ring shape in which a hole is formed in the center, and N optical fibers are installed for each wavelength at regular intervals in the middle. Through the central hole, it is possible to obtain a fluorescence image by a plurality of nanoparticles in the camera.

When a voltage or temperature is applied to the disk 42, the diameter d of the disk 42 can be changed. When the diameter (d) of the disk is changed, the positions of optical fibers inserted in the disk at regular intervals are changed. Accordingly, the working distance is changed. This will be described again with reference to FIG. 7 below.

The disk is made of a polymer or PZT (lead zirconate titanate) material that expands when a voltage is applied or temperature is applied.

A lighting lamp 44 is installed outside the disk. The luminaire is preferably a white light LED. A lighting lamp serves to distinguish biosamples or other objects by providing bright light in the visible wavelength range as a whole.

The outside of the lighting lamp 44 is formed with a fixed disk 46 corresponding to the body. The fixed disk 46 serves as a support on which the disk 42 and the lighting lamp 44 are installed.

The fixed disk 46 may be formed of a variety of hard metals or plastics having strong strength.

6 is a plan view of a light irradiator according to the present invention, showing various wavelengths.

Referring to FIG. 6, it is divided into four wavelengths, and light of different wavelengths is emitted through four optical fibers. The optical fiber 30 is separated at an angle of 90 degrees.

White means lighting, especially white light LED.

The reason why the working distance is variable will be described with reference to FIG. 7. 7 is a front view of a light irradiator according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of optical fibers 30 are fixed to a disk 42 at an angle. That is, the optical fibers 30 that emit light of different wavelengths are fixed to the disk 42 at an angle of θ.

Here, when a voltage or temperature is applied to the disk 42, the disk 42 expands and the spacing of the optical fibers fixed to the disk increases, and accordingly, the area where the beams output from the optical fibers overlap is also in the disk. It goes away. That is, the working distance, which is the distance from the disk, which is the illumination module, to the area where the output beam from the optical fiber overlaps (or the point where the optical axis overlaps) becomes longer. The working distance means the vertical distance from the light irradiation module to the sample.

As described above, according to the present invention, by appropriately controlling the voltage or temperature applied to the disk using multiple wavelengths, the working distance, which is the distance to the area where the disk and the output beam overlap, is adjusted, Multiple fluorescence images by particles can be viewed simultaneously.

That is, in the present invention, a multi-wavelength light source may be used or an excitation light capable of variable wavelength may be implemented to excite multiple nanoparticles to simultaneously acquire a multi-wavelength fluorescence image, and also, the field of view (FOV) of a single or overlapping light source ) Is freely adjustable, so that the optical intensity irradiated to the sample can be freely adjusted, and thus the observation area and light output of the fluorescent image can be adjusted.

8 is a perspective view of an optical fiber used in a light irradiation apparatus for a fluorescent imaging apparatus capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescent images and adjusting a viewing area based on a multi-wavelength light source according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, a diffuser 32 is attached to an end of an optical fiber positioned in the light irradiator. The light source passing through the diffuser is irradiated onto a number of nanoparticles. The diffuser 32 may be implemented by roughly processing the end surface of the optical fiber or by embedding a liquid nano-particulate polymer therein.

Not all optical fibers require a diffuser, but the need for a diffuser depends on the light source being irradiated. That is, when the light source is an LED, a diffuser is not required, but when the light source is a laser, a diffuser is required.

When the light source is a laser, a speckle phenomenon occurs in the laser passing through the optical fiber. To prevent this, when the light source is a laser, a diffuser is formed at the end of the optical fiber. That is, a diffuser is installed at the end of the optical fiber to prevent the speckle phenomenon caused by the laser. The diffuser diffuses the light and eliminates the speckle phenomenon caused by the laser. It goes without saying that the diffuser can be implemented by roughly processing the end surface of the optical fiber or by embedding a liquid nanoparticulate polymer therein.

That is, according to the present invention, a diffuser is formed at the end of the optical fiber through which the beam is output, thereby preventing the speckle phenomenon, thereby solving the problem of deteriorating fluorescence image quality caused by the speckle phenomenon, thereby obtaining a high-quality shape image.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the above and the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. You can understand that there is. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative and non-limiting in all respects.

10: multi-wavelength light source
11: variable wavelength light source
12: light source array
20: wavelength separator
22: light source combiner
24: power separator
30: optical fiber
32: diffuser (diffuser)
40: light irradiator
42: disk
44: light
46: fixed disk
50: 3CCD camera

Claims (9)

In the light irradiation device for a fluorescent imaging device capable of simultaneously observing multiple fluorescent images based on a multi-wavelength light source and adjusting the viewing area,
A light source having a plurality of wavelengths;
A plurality of optical fibers connected to the light source and transmitting light according to different wavelengths;
A ring-shaped disk in which the plurality of optical fibers are arranged to form a circle at regular intervals and whose diameter is changed according to application of voltage or temperature;
A lighting lamp installed around the disk to emit white light; And
Including; a cylindrical fixed disk supporting the disk and the lighting lamp,
The optical fiber is formed to be inclined to the ring-shaped disk at a certain angle (θ), by applying a voltage or temperature to the disk to adjust a working distance, which is a distance from the disk to an area where the output beams overlap. , A light irradiation apparatus, characterized in that implementing fluorescence by a plurality of nanoparticles in the region where the output beam overlaps. The method of claim 1,
When the light source is a laser, a diffuser is installed at an end of the optical fiber to prevent a speckle phenomenon. The method of claim 1,
The light source is a light irradiation apparatus, characterized in that the LED, LD, solid state laser, quantum dot laser, or a semiconductor optical amplifier light source. The method of claim 1,
A light irradiation apparatus, characterized in that the light source having a plurality of wavelengths is a variable wavelength light source, a multi-wavelength light source, or a multiple array light source. The method of claim 4,
The tunable light source is a light irradiation apparatus, characterized in that the FDML (Fourier Domain Mode-Locking) laser, a frequency tunable laser, or a tunable laser. The method of claim 4,
The multi-wavelength light source comprises a multi-wavelength laser light source oscillating at multiple wavelengths in a wavelength region. The method of claim 1,
When the light source is a variable wavelength light source,
Further comprising a wavelength separator in which the light of the light source is separated into a plurality of wavelengths by a wavelength separator,
A light irradiation apparatus, characterized in that the wavelengths separated by wavelengths by the wavelength separator are transmitted through different optical fibers for each wavelength. The method of claim 1,
When the light source is a multiple array light source composed of light sources emitting different wavelengths,
Light irradiation device, characterized in that the wavelengths emitted from each light source are transmitted through different optical fibers. The method of claim 1,
When the light source is a multiple array light source composed of light sources emitting different wavelengths,
A light source combiner for combining wavelengths transmitted from the multiple array light sources,
A light irradiation apparatus, characterized in that the light emitted from the light source combiner further comprises a power splitter separated by power.

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