WO2010126175A1

WO2010126175A1 - Apparatus for achieving combined optical images based on double cladding fiber devices

Info

Publication number: WO2010126175A1
Application number: PCT/KR2009/002215
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이병하; 유선영; 최해룡; 정용민
Original assignee: 광주과학기술원
Priority date: 2009-04-28
Filing date: 2009-04-28
Publication date: 2010-11-04

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for achieving combined optical images which is able to acquire a 1^st image and a 2^nd image at the same time and reduce the size of a probe by using a double cladding optical fiber device. A 1^st image unit of the apparatus generates the 1^st image and emits a 1^st optical signal, and a second image unit of the apparatus creates the 2^nd image and emits a 2^nd optical signal. Both optical signals are irradiated onto a sample from a probe after passing through an optical path unit, and the probe collects the 1^st and 2^nd image signals generated by both optical signals. The optical path unit distributes the 1^st and 2^nd image signals to the 1^st and 2^nd image units respectively by using a multi-coupler. A 1^st detector obtains the 1^st image, and a 2^nd detector acquires the 2^nd image. Therefore, the apparatus is able to obtain the 1^st and 2^nd images simultaneously for the same position of the sample. In addition, the apparatus is variously applicable to small sized devices by minimizing the size of the probe.

Description

Hybrid Imaging Device Using Double Cladding Fiber Optic Device

The present invention relates to a hybrid imaging apparatus capable of acquiring a first image and a second image. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hybrid imaging apparatus capable of acquiring a first image and a second image at the same position of a sample. The present invention relates to a composite imaging device that can be minimized.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optical coherence tomography (OCT) that collects an image signal reflected from a sample by irradiating a broadband light source with a wavelength bandwidth of several tens of nm or more and analyzes the interference between the collected image signal and the reference stage image signal. It is a device to acquire a tomography image for a sample by using. These include time domain tomography (TD-OCT), frequency domain tomography (FD-OCT) and spectral domain tomography (SD-OCT).

Time-domain tomography (TD-OCT) is a device that measures the interface of the optical path coincidence by scanning the reference stage, using a broadband light source, a mobile reference stage, a photodiode ( Acquire images using photodiode. High resolution image processing is possible, and high speed image processing is possible by increasing the scanning speed of the reference stage.

Unlike the time domain tomography (TD-OCT), the frequency domain tomography (FD-OCT) uses a fixed reference stage, induces interference by frequency using a wide-wavelength wavelength variable laser, and a photodiode ) To acquire the image. The image processing speed is determined by the variable speed of the tunable laser.

The spectral domain tomography apparatus SD-OCT uses a fixed reference stage like a frequency domain tomography apparatus FD-OCT, and uses a broadband light source. After the interference signal is separated from the detector by wavelength, an image is acquired by using a spectrometer or a line charged coupled device camera.

Fluorescence Spectroscopy means that when a sample is irradiated with a single wavelength light source in the ultraviolet or visible region, part of the irradiated light is absorbed by the sample, and the other part is lost by heat, and then the wavelength is different from that irradiated. The fluorescence signal is generated in the sample. The fluorescence signal is collected by using a spectrometer (spectrometer) to obtain a fluorescence image of the sample.

Raman spectroscopy is a device that obtains an image by irradiating a single wavelength light source in the ultraviolet or near infrared region to a sample, and collecting the image signal by Raman scattering from a scattered image signal using a spectrometer to be. Here, the Raman scattering refers to a case in which scattered light having a wavelength shorter or longer than irradiation light is generated, which is a phenomenon caused by a change in the vibration state of molecules in a sample.

Multi-photon microscopy is a pulsed laser of picoseconds or femtoseconds whose instantaneous power is much higher than that of a general light source or a continuous laser light source, and induces two- or three-photon nonlinear absorption of the sample, Photomultiplier tubes or CCD cameras are used to collect and image high energy signals with wavelengths shorter than the wavelength of the light source. Generally, dyes having excellent secondary or tertiary light absorption are used to induce effective multiphoton absorption.

Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy uses nonlinear optical characteristics like multiphoton microscopy, but uses direct secondary nonlinear signal light rather than fluorescence by nonlinear absorption. A much higher picosecond or femtosecond pulsed laser is irradiated onto the sample to acquire an image by collecting a nonlinear second harmonic generated by the asymmetrical alignment of several molecules using a photomultiplier tube or CCD camera. do. It may have the effect of increasing the contrast ratio of a site having a specific structure.

Each device has been developed independently, and in order to implement a complex imaging device, a probe manufactured to enable two or more optical image imaging by simply combining devices composed of bulk optical systems or combining bulk elements together Have been used mainly.

In US Patent No. 6,498,948, an optical system for light imaging, a bulk optical system for fluorescence imaging, a charge-coupled device camera, and a tomography imaging system are implemented in an endoscope tube to simultaneously implement three optical imaging systems. Proposed a probe at the same time has been proposed. The probe manufactured as described above has an advantage of simultaneously measuring fluorescence spectroscopy and tomography images. However, since each optical imaging system is based on bulk devices, optical alignment is very complicated and the size of the probe is large because optical systems for three signals must operate independently of each other. In addition, it is virtually impossible to simultaneously obtain three pieces of information about the same point in the sample because three different light sources must be used and different channels must be used to obtain three different signals.

In order to overcome the complexity of the optical alignment and the probe size limitations of existing hybrid optical imaging devices composed of bulk systems, a paper by Alexandre R. Tumlinson, Jennifer K. Barton et al. ("Miniature endoscope for simultaneous optical coherence tomography and laser induced fluorescence measurement, "Appl. Opt., Vol. 43, no. 1. pp. 113-121, 2004) replaces bulk elements with optical fibers, and a small bulk element (GRIN) lens at the ends of the optical fibers to allow side illumination. The prism is connected to eliminate the complexity of the light alignment. However, because the single-mode fiber is placed at the center of the probe for tomographic images and the multi-mode fiber bundle is placed outside the single-mode fiber, i.e. at the periphery of the probe, for fluorescence spectroscopy, strictly speaking, tomographic to the same location on the sample. Acquisition of image images and fluorescence spectroscopy cannot be performed simultaneously. In addition, it still uses a bulk element, and several types of optical fibers are simply arranged side by side, which also limits the size of the probe.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid imaging apparatus for reducing the size of a probe while simultaneously acquiring a first image and a second image.

One embodiment of the hybrid imaging apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object of the present invention is to irradiate the first optical signal and the second optical signal to the sample, and to compare the first image signal with the first optical signal. A hybrid image device for collecting a second image signal based on the second optical signal to generate a first image and a second image, wherein the first optical signal is emitted and the first image signal is received. A first image unit generating an image, a second image unit emitting the second optical signal, receiving the second image signal, and generating a second image, using the core region of one double cladding optical fiber; Irradiating the first optical signal and the second optical signal to the sample, collecting the first image signal from the sample by using the core region of the one double cladding optical fiber, and the inner cladding region of the one double cladding optical fiber. Using the second spirit A probe collecting a signal and transferring the first optical signal and the second optical signal to the probe using the single double cladding optical fiber, and transmitting the first image signal and the second image signal from the probe; Received by using a double cladding optical fiber of the may include a light path unit for separating and transmitting the first image portion and the second image portion.

The first image unit may include a first light source that emits the first optical signal, a first reference stage that receives the first optical signal and outputs a first reference stage video signal, and the first image signal and the first image signal. It may include a first detector for receiving the first reference stage image signal to generate a first image.

The first imaging unit may be any one of a time domain tomography device (TD-OCT), a frequency domain tomography device (FD-OCT), and a spectrum domain tomography device (SD-OCT).

The second image unit may include a second light source that emits the second optical signal and a second detector that receives the second image signal and generates a second image.

The second imaging unit may be any one of a fluorescence spectrophotometer, a Raman spectroscopic imager, a multiphoton microscope, and a second harmonic microscope.

Here, the probe is extended through the optical signal expansion unit and the optical signal expansion unit for extending the first optical signal and the second optical signal received from the optical path through the core region of the one double cladding optical fiber It may include a lens unit for focusing the first optical signal and the second optical signal to irradiate the sample.

Here, the lens unit may be an optical fiber lens integrally formed with the optical signal expansion unit.

Here, the optical fiber lens may be a side reflector formed on one side of the optical fiber and a lens formed on the side facing the one side may be capable of side contrast.

Here, the optical path unit transmits the first optical signal and the second optical signal to the probe using the core region of the single double cladding optical fiber, and transmits the first image signal of the single double cladding optical fiber. A complex coupler that transmits the second image signal to the first image unit through a core region and optically couples only the inner cladding region to the second image unit without optically coupling the second image signal to the core region of the single double cladding optical fiber; At least one coupler or a wavelength division multiplexer for optical connection between the first imaging unit, the second imaging unit, and the composite coupler may be included.

Here, the one double cladding optical fiber may be one of one double cladding photonic crystal optical fiber and a double cladding plastic optical fiber.

[Effects of the Invention]

The hybrid imaging apparatus according to the present invention can acquire the first image and the second image at the same time. Since the hybrid imaging apparatus uses a double cladding optical fiber, it is possible to simultaneously perform single mode transmission through the core region of the double cladding optical fiber and multimode transmission through the internal cladding region of the dual cladding optical fiber. Therefore, the first optical signal and the second optical signal emitted from the light source can be irradiated at the same position of the sample through the core region of the double cladding optical fiber, and the first image signal reflected from the sample is collected at the core region of the double cladding optical fiber. In addition, since the second image signal generated from the sample may be collected in the inner cladding region of the double cladding optical fiber, not only the probe may be implemented but also may contribute to the miniaturization of the probe.

In addition, the complex imaging apparatus may be used as an equipment for diagnosing lesions of the retina in an ophthalmology using a tomography image in a first image, and may be used as a fluorescence microscope using a fluorescence spectroscopy image in a second image. . In addition, the composite imaging device has the advantage that it can measure not only tomographic images of biological samples but also small chemical changes in the samples. Therefore, the composite imaging device can be used as a complex imaging device such as a microscopic endoscope for early diagnosis of tumors or cancers. Will have

1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of a composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph for explaining a change in refractive index of a double cladding optical fiber that can be used in a composite imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a double cladding photonic crystal optical fiber that may be used in the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

4 is a side cross-sectional view of a composite coupler used in a composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

5 is a front cross-sectional view of a composite coupler used in a composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a composite coupler used in the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

7 is a near field image of a signal passing through a core region of a complex coupler used in a complex imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

8 is a near field image of a signal passing through an inner cladding region of a complex coupler used in a complex imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

9 is a graph experimentally measuring the optical coupling efficiency according to the wavelength of the composite coupler used in the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which the lens unit is not integrated with the optical signal extension unit as an embodiment of the probe used in the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an optical fiber lens in which a lens unit is integrated with an optical signal expansion unit, as an embodiment of a probe used in a complex imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

12 is a side cross-sectional view of a probe capable of side contrast as another embodiment of a probe used in a complex imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a graph comparing an operating distance of a probe used in a complex imaging apparatus according to the present invention, and comparing the measured operation distance of a probe without a lens.

14 is a tomography image of a tomato obtained through the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

15 is a fluorescence spectra of tomatoes obtained through the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

As the inventive concept allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific disclosed form, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art, and are not construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

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

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a hybrid imaging apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the hybrid imaging apparatus 100 according to the present invention may emit the first optical signal from the first image unit 110 and the second optical signal from the second image unit 120. have. Both optical signals may be irradiated onto the sample through the probe 130 via the optical path unit 140. The probe 130 may collect the first image signal reflected from the sample and the second image signal generated from the sample. Both image signals may be input to the first image unit 110 via the optical path unit 140, and the second image signal may be input to the second image unit 120. The first image unit 110 may generate a first image using the input signal, and the second image unit 120 may generate a second image using the input second image signal.

The first imaging unit 110 may be composed of a first light source 111, a first reference stage 112, and a first detector 113. The first light signal may be emitted from the first light source 111, and a part of the emitted light signal may be distributed to the first reference stage 112, and the remaining light signals may be distributed in the sample direction and irradiated onto the sample. The first image signal collected from the sample is input to the first detector 113 through the probe 130 and the optical path unit 140, and the first reference terminal image signal reflected from the first reference terminal 112 is also made of the first image signal. It is input to one detector 113. The first detector 113 measures a signal generated by the interference between the first image signal collected after being reflected from the sample and the first reference terminal image signal reflected by the first reference stage 112 and a series of signal processing procedures. The first image may be generated through.

For example, the first imaging unit 110 corresponds to any one of a time domain tomography apparatus (TD-OCT), a frequency domain tomography apparatus (FD-OCT), and a spectrum domain tomography apparatus (SD-OCT). Can be. In case of the TD-OCT, a broadband light source is used as the first light source 111, a mobile reference end is used as the first reference end 112, and a photo detector is used as the first detector 113. Diodes can be used. In the case of a frequency domain tomography apparatus (FD-OCT), a wideband wavelength variable light source is used as the first light source 111, a fixed reference end is used as the first reference end 112, and the first detector 113 is used. As the photodiode, a photodiode may be used. In the case of the spectral region tomography apparatus (SD-OCT), a broadband light source is used as the first light source 111, a fixed reference end is used as the first reference end 112, and the spectrograph is used as the first detector 113. Meter or line CCD cameras are available.

The second imaging unit 120 may be composed of a second light source 121 and a second detector 122. The second light signal may be emitted from the second light source 121, and the second light signal may be irradiated onto the sample. The second image signal collected from the sample is input to the second detector 122 via the probe 130 and the optical path unit 140, and the second image is captured by the second detector 122 using the second image signal. Can be generated.

For example, the second imaging unit 120 may correspond to any one of a fluorescence spectroscopic imaging apparatus, a Raman spectroscopic imaging apparatus, a multi-photon microscope, and a second harmonic microscope. In the case of a fluorescence spectroscopic imaging apparatus, a single wavelength light source in the ultraviolet or visible light region may be used as the second light source 121, and a spectrometer may be used as the second detector 122. In the case of a Raman spectroscopic imaging apparatus, a single wavelength light source in an ultraviolet or near infrared region may be used as the second light source 121, and a spectrometer may be used as the second detector 122. In the case of a multi-photon microscope, a picosecond or femtosecond laser having a very high instantaneous power is used as the second light source 121 compared to a general light source, and a photomultiplier tube or a CCD camera may be used as the second detector 122. . In the case of the second harmonic microscope, the second light source 121 uses a picosecond or femtosecond laser having a very high instantaneous output compared to a general light source, and the second detector 122 uses a photomultiplier tube or a CCD camera. Can be.

The probe 130 may include an optical signal expansion unit 131 and a lens unit 132. The lens unit 132 may include an optical fiber lens which is integrally formed with the optical signal expansion unit 131. In the case of not integral, the lens unit 132 may be configured as a green lens. The lens unit 132 may be configured as an integrated optical fiber lens capable of front or side imaging.

For example, the first optical signal and the second optical signal are widened through the optical signal expansion unit 131, and then irradiated to the sample through a separate lens 132 such as a green lens or an integrated optical fiber lens ( 132 may be focused and irradiated. The first image signal reflected from the sample and the second image signal generated from the sample are collected by a separate lens 132 or an integrated optical fiber lens 132 and input to the double cladding optical fiber through the optical signal expansion unit 131. Can be. In this case, the first image signal may be mainly collected through the core region of the double cladding optical fiber, and the second image signal may be mainly collected through the inner cladding region of the double cladding optical fiber.

The light path unit 140 may include a composite coupler 141. The first optical signal and the second optical signal are at least one wavelength division multiplexer or single mode coupler 142 and at least one single mode coupler 143 until they reach the composite coupler 141 of the optical path unit 140. After passing through the multiple coupler 141 and proceeds to the probe 130, the first image signal and the second image signal collected by the probe 130 are respectively distributed in the composite coupler 141, The first image signal may be advanced to the first detector 113 of the first image unit 110, and the second image signal may be advanced to the second detector 122 of the second image unit 120. .

When the first optical signal and the second optical signal are different from the double cladding optical fiber in the optical path until the composite coupler 141 reaches the optical path part, the connection between the two optical fibers is necessary. The connection can be fused to the optical fusion system 144 or connected through the optical connector 144. If both core sizes are different, a mode stripper may be used so that the first optical signal and the second optical signal can be transmitted only into the core of the double cladding optical fiber.

The composite coupler 141 may be manufactured using a double cladding optical fiber, or may be manufactured using a double cladding photonic crystal optical fiber or a double cladding plastic optical fiber.

The complex imaging apparatus 100 according to the present invention may use any material that is a target of the first image and the second image as the sample 150. In particular, very narrow biological samples such as blood vessels may be used, and in this case, optical images of the inside of the biological sample may be acquired.

By the above process, the first image and the second image of the same position of the sample can be obtained at the same time.

Referring to FIG. 2, the dual cladding optical fiber 200 used for the composite coupler 141 and the probe 130 of the optical path unit 140 may include a core region 210, an inner cladding region 220, and an outer cladding region ( 230). In the refractive index distribution graph, the refractive index of the core region is higher than that of the inner cladding and outer cladding regions. The outer cladding region is usually composed of silica, but various materials having a lower refractive index than that of the inner cladding region may be used. Therefore, the polymer having a low refractive index may be coated on the outer cladding region, and air may serve as the outer cladding even when there is no coating material. It may also be used by coating with a highly reflective metal. When a polymer having a low refractive index is coated on the outer cladding region, the polymer may serve as a jacket as well as the outer cladding.

Referring to FIG. 3, a double cladding photonic crystal optical fiber 300, which is a type of double cladding optical fiber, has a plurality of air holes arranged in two layers along the optical fiber, and portions having no air holes are respectively core regions 310. In addition, the inner cladding region 320 and the outer cladding region 330 serve. At this time, each air hole layer may be composed of one or more layers. Therefore, the composite coupler 141 and the probe 130 may be manufactured using the double cladding photonic crystal optical fiber.

4 is a side cross-sectional view of the composite coupler used in the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the composite coupler used in the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

4 and 5, the first image signal reflected from the sample is collected in the core region of the probe 130, and the second image signal generated from the sample is internally clad with the probe 130. Is collected in the area. The two double cladding optical fibers constituting the composite coupler 141 have optical coupling only in the inner cladding region 520 and no optical coupling in the core region 510.

The first video signal and the second video signal proceed through the double cladding optical fiber, and the first video signal passes through the core region of the composite coupler, and the second video signal passes through the internal cladding region of the composite coupler. Coupled to be cross ported toward the second detector.

Such a composite coupler can be manufactured using a side polishing method. It can also be manufactured by the fused tapering method and the near-field optical coupling method by twisting two double cladding optical fibers.

In the construction of the composite coupler, a side polishing method or a melt tensile method may be used, but these methods are complicated and have a disadvantage of using a separate coupling machine. In order to solve this problem, it is possible to use a double cladding optical fiber formed by coating a conventional single-mode optical fiber (SMF) with a polymer in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As described above, when the outside of the single mode optical fiber is coated with a polymer having a lower refractive index than the cladding material of the single mode optical fiber, the polymer not only serves as a protective jacket but also serves as an external cladding of the optical fiber. Since the core and inner cladding of the double cladding optical fiber manufactured as described above have the same size as the conventional single mode optical fiber, the coupling loss of the double cladding optical fiber and the single mode optical fiber is very small. If the diameter of the core of the double cladding fiber is smaller than the diameter of the single mode fiber, the internal cladding mode of the double cladding fiber is transferred to the core of the single mode fiber, which causes unwanted peaks in the OCT signal. This problem occurs because the diameter of the core of the conventional double cladding optical fiber is smaller than the core diameter of the single mode optical fiber.

However, if the double cladding optical fiber is formed by applying a polymer coating on the outside of the conventional single mode optical fiber as proposed above, the above problems can be solved.

Forming the composite coupler 141 using a polymer coated double cladding optical fiber can be performed very simply.

According to FIG. 6, in joining the inner cladding of the double cladding optical fiber to form a composite coupler, the outer polymer jacket of the two polymer coated double cladding optical fibers is deleted and twisted together. The composite coupler manufacturing method according to this method is very simple and does not require a separate device. In addition, there is an advantage that the coupling coupler can be coupled in multiple twists to increase the coupling efficiency.

7 is a near field image of a signal passing through a core region of the composite coupler 141 used in the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 illustrates a composite coupler 141 used in the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention. The near field image of the signal passing through the internal cladding region.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, it can be seen that both image signals of the core region 610 and the cladding region 620 are transmitted to the through port through the near field image. However, when looking at the near field image of the signal transmitted to the cross port, it can be seen that the video signal of the cladding region 720 is transmitted but no video signal is transmitted to the core region 710. The composite coupler 141 manufactured through this can be seen that the optical coupling occurs only in the inner cladding region, not the core region.

Referring to FIG. 9, the measurement result is based on the wavelength of the light source using the optical coupling efficiency of the inner cladding region with respect to the composite coupler 141 using the double cladding optical fiber. Optical coupling efficiency is defined as the ratio of optical coupling to the cross port for the total incident optical power. Looking at the results, it can be seen that a constant optical coupling occurred from 600nm to 800nm. At this time, the optical coupling efficiency was about 18%. Preferably the optical coupling efficiency should be 50%.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a case in which the lens unit is not integrated with the optical signal extension unit as an embodiment of the probe 130 used in the complex imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the probe 900 using the double cladding optical fiber may include an optical signal expansion unit 911 and a lens unit 921. The optical signal expansion unit 911 allows the optical signal that has been guided along the core of the double cladding optical fiber to have a sufficient size when it reaches the optical fiber lens unit, and has a coreless silicaless or green lens. Etc. can be formed using a method of bonding to an optical fiber end. The lens unit 921 serves to focus the optical signal extended through the optical signal expansion unit 911 with a proper working distance, and a green lens or the like may be used.

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of an optical fiber lens in which the lens unit is integrated with the optical signal extension unit as an embodiment of the probe 130 used in the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the probe 900 using the double cladding optical fiber may include an optical signal expansion unit 912 and an integrated optical fiber lens unit 922. The optical signal expansion unit 912 extends to have a sufficient size when the optical signal guided along the core of the double cladding optical fiber reaches the optical fiber lens unit, and may be formed as described above. The integrated optical fiber lens unit 922 serves to focus the optical signal extended through the optical signal expansion unit 912 with a proper working distance, and the integrated optical fiber lens unit 922 is a high temperature device using arc discharge, laser, or the like. It can be formed using a method of applying heat or a heterojunction method using a polymer.

12 is a side cross-sectional view of a probe capable of side contrast as another embodiment of the probe 130 used in the hybrid imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, as another embodiment of the probe, the probe 1000 capable of side illumination may include an optical signal extension 1010, a reflector surface 1020, and a ball lens 1030. First, a separate silica rod is bonded to any one of a general double cladding optical fiber, a double cladding plastic optical fiber, and a double cladding photonic crystal optical fiber to form an optical signal expansion unit 1010, and then high temperature heat is applied to the ends thereof. The ball lens 1030 is formed by the method. In addition, by forming the reflector surface 1020 through a micromachining or polishing method using a laser, the optical fiber probe 1000 capable of side contrast can be manufactured. The optical signal, which has been guided along the core of the double cladding optical fiber, is gradually spread from the optical signal expansion unit 1010 and is reflected from the reflector surface 1020 to the side surface, and the optical signal reflected from the reflector surface is applied to the ball lens 1030. It spreads until it meets and then gathers again through the ball lens.

FIG. 13 is a graph comparing the working distance of the probe 130 used in the complex imaging apparatus according to the present invention, and comparing the measured working distance of the probe without a lens.

Referring to FIG. 13, the working distance of the manufactured lens was measured by locating a reflecting mirror at the front end of the optical fiber probe lens surface and observing optical power that is returned from the reflecting mirror and recombined into the probe. In the case of the optical fiber without a lens, the optical power decreases rapidly according to the separation distance, but in the case of the lens integrated double cladding optical fiber, the optical power gradually decreases. When the separation length where the optical power is half is defined as the operating distance, it can be seen that the operating distance of the manufactured lens-integrated double cladding optical fiber probe is about 2.5 mm.

FIG. 14 is a tomography image of a tomato obtained through the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a fluorescence spectrum of the tomato obtained through the composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 in parallel, this means that the tomography image (two-dimensional tomographic image) and the fluorescence spectral image of the same point of the tomato are simultaneously acquired through the hybrid imaging apparatus according to the present invention. The composite imaging apparatus according to the present invention could be miniaturized by using a single double cladding fiber optic probe, and thus, there is an advantage in that the above image image can be simultaneously obtained.

The composite imaging apparatus capable of acquiring the first image and the second image according to the present invention can be effectively used in an OCT related industry.

Claims

Irradiating a first optical signal and a second optical signal to the sample, collecting the first image signal by the first optical signal and the second image signal by the second optical signal to generate a first image and a second image In the composite imaging device,

A first image unit which emits the first optical signal and generates the first image by receiving the first image signal;

A second image unit which emits the second optical signal and receives the second image signal to generate a second image;

The first optical signal and the second optical signal are irradiated to the sample using the core region of one double cladding optical fiber, and the first image signal is obtained from the sample using the core region of the single cladding optical fiber. A probe configured to collect and collect the second image signal by using an inner cladding region of the single cladding optical fiber; And

The first optical signal and the second optical signal are transmitted to the probe using the single double cladding optical fiber, and the first image signal and the second image signal are transmitted from the probe to the single double cladding optical fiber. And a light path unit for receiving and transmitting the first image unit and the second image unit separately.
The method of claim 1,

The first image unit

A first light source emitting the first light signal;

A first reference stage configured to receive the first optical signal and output a first reference stage image signal; And

And a first detector configured to receive the first image signal and the first reference terminal image signal and generate a first image.
The method of claim 2,

And the first imaging unit is any one of a time domain tomography device, a frequency domain tomography device, and a spectrum domain tomography device.
The method of claim 1,

The second image unit

A second light source emitting the second light signal; And

And a second detector configured to receive the second image signal and generate a second image.
The method of claim 4, wherein

And the second imaging unit is any one of a fluorescence spectroscopy apparatus, a Raman spectroscopy imaging apparatus, a multi-photon microscope, and a second harmonic microscope.
The method of claim 1,

The probe is

An optical signal expansion unit extending the first optical signal and the second optical signal received from the optical path unit through a core region of the single cladding optical fiber; And

And a lens unit configured to focus the first optical signal and the second optical signal extended through the optical signal expansion unit to irradiate the sample.
The method of claim 6,

The lens unit

And a fiber optic lens integrated with the optical signal expansion unit.
The method of claim 7, wherein

The optical fiber lens

And a side reflector formed on one side of an optical fiber and a lens formed on a side facing the one side, the side imaging being possible.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

The light path unit,

The first optical signal and the second optical signal are transmitted to the probe using the core region of the single double cladding optical fiber, and the first image signal is transmitted through the core region of the single double cladding optical fiber. And a composite coupler for transmitting to the image unit and optically coupling only the inner cladding region to the second image unit without optically coupling the second image signal to the core region of the single double cladding optical fiber. Hybrid imaging device.
The method of claim 9,

And the optical path unit further comprises at least one coupler or a wavelength division multiplexer for optical connection between the first image unit, the second image unit, and the composite coupler.
The method of claim 1,

Wherein said one double cladding optical fiber is one of one double cladding photonic crystal optical fiber and a double cladding plastic optical fiber.
The method of claim 9,

The double cladding optical fiber is formed by polymer coating an exterior of the single mode optical fiber, and the composite coupler is formed by removing the polymer coating region of the double cladding optical fiber by twisting the double cladding optical fibers together. Device.