Multi-Bandwidth Spectrally Encoded Endoscope

Abstract

An apparatus comprising at least: a first waveguide; a second waveguide; and a diffractive element. The first waveguide guides a first band of onto the diffractive element such that the first band is diffracted at an m.sup.th non-zero order over a first range of angles. The second waveguide guides a second band onto the diffractive element such that the second band is diffracted at the m.sup.th non-zero over the first range of angles. The second waveguide guides a third band onto the diffractive element such that the third band is diffracted at the n.sup.th non-zero order over the first range of angles. Wavelengths of the first band, the second band, and the third band do not overlap with each other. The m.sup.th order and the n.sup.th order are different from each other.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a first waveguide; a second waveguide; and a diffractive element; wherein the first waveguide guides a first wavelength band of light onto the diffractive element such that the first wavelength band is diffracted at an m.sup.th non-zero order over a first range of angles; wherein the second waveguide guides a second wavelength band of light onto the diffractive element such that the second wavelength band of light is diffracted at the m.sup.th non-zero over the first range of angles; wherein the second waveguide guides a third wavelength band of light onto the diffractive element such that the third wavelength band of light is diffracted at the n.sup.th non-zero order over the first range of angles; wherein wavelengths of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band do not overlap with each other; wherein the m.sup.th order and the n.sup.th order are different from each other.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first wavelength band is between the second wavelength band and the third wavelength band.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: the first wavelength band of light is incident on the diffractive element at a first angle; the second wavelength band of light is incident on the diffractive element at a second angle; and the third wavelength band of light is incident on the diffractive element at the second angle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: the first wavelength band of light includes green light; the second wavelength band includes blue light; and the third wavelength band includes red light.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: the first wavelength band of light includes green light; the second wavelength band includes red light; and the third wavelength band includes blue light.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein n is equal to m minus one.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein n is equal to m plus one.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: an optical splitter; wherein the optical splitter splits light from a light source into the first wavelength band of light which is guided by the first waveguide; and the second wavelength band and third wavelength band of light both of which are guided by the second waveguide.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising the light source.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a third waveguide for gathering light from a subject, wherein the subject has been illuminated with the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band of light, and the third wavelength band diffracted by the diffractive element over the first range of angles.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the third waveguide is a multimode fiber.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the third waveguide guides the gathered light to a spectrometer.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising the spectrometer.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the spectrometer includes one or more detectors for converting the gathered light into an electrical signal which is then converted into a digital signal which then used to create an image of the subject.

15. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the diffracted light is scanned across the subject perpendicular to a line formed by the first range of angles.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the diffracted light is scanned in a linear manner to form a planar image or in rotational manner to form a toroidal image.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a moveable optical element located after the diffraction grating that scans the diffracted light.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein a portion of the apparatus including at least the diffraction grating is moved to scan the diffracted light.

19. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first wavelength band includes light with a wavelength of 540 nm; the second wavelength band includes light with a wavelength of 450 nm; the third wavelength band includes light with a wavelength of 675 nm; the m.sup.th order is 3 or 3; the n.sup.th order is 2 or 2; and and sgn(m.sup.th order) is equal to sgn(n.sup.th order).

20. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first wavelength band includes light with a wavelength of 540 nm; the second wavelength band includes light with a wavelength of 675 nm; the third wavelength band includes light with a wavelength of 450 nm; the m.sup.th order is 2 or 2; the n.sup.th order is 3 or 3; and sgn(m.sup.th order) is equal to sgn(n.sup.th order).

21. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a beam blocker, wherein the beam blocker prevents light that leaves the diffractive element at angles that are not within the first range of angles from illuminating a sample and allows light that leaves the diffractive element at angles that are within the first range of angles to illuminate the sample.

22. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the numerical aperture of light from the first waveguide as it is incident on the diffractive element is different from the numerical aperture of light from the second waveguide as it is incident on the diffractive element.

23. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotary splitter, wherein the rotary splitter: receives light from the light source; guides the first wavelength band of light from a light source to the first waveguide; guides the second wavelength band of light and the third wavelength band of light from the light source to the second waveguide; allows the first waveguide, the second waveguide and other optical components to rotate relative to the light source while allowing light to be guided from the light source to both of the first waveguide and the second waveguide.

24. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first waveguide guides a fourth wavelength band of light onto the diffractive element such that the fourth wavelength band of light is diffracted at the n.sup.th non-zero order over the first range of angles; and wherein wavelengths of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, the third wavelength band, and the fourth wavelength band do not overlap with each other.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein: the first wavelength band includes light with a wavelength of 540 nm; the second wavelength band includes light with a wavelength of 450 nm; the third wavelength band includes light with a wavelength of 675 nm; the fourth wavelength band includes light with a wavelength of 810 nm; the m.sup.th order is 3 or 3; the n.sup.th order is 2 or 2; and sgn(m.sup.th order) is equal to sgn(n.sup.th order)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments.

[0040] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the bands of light.

[0042] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a portion of an embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 4 is an illustration of light being diffracted in a portion of an embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a relationship between diffraction angle vs. incident angle in an embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a relationship between a first incident angle and a second incident angle.

[0046] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a portion of an embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a portion of an embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a portion of an embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a portion of an embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 12 is an illustration of light being diffracted in a portion of an embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 13 is an illustration of a portion of an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0053] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings below. It shall be noted that the following description is merely illustrative and exemplary in nature, and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure and its applications or uses. The relative arrangement of components and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values set forth in the embodiments do not limit the scope of the disclosure unless it is otherwise specifically stated. Techniques, methods, and devices which are well known by individuals skilled in the art may not have been discussed in detail since an individual skilled in the art would not need to know these details to enable the embodiments discussed below. Further, an endoscope as disclosed in the following which is used to inspect an inside a human body may also be used to inspect other objects.

[0054] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first embodiment, an endoscope 100 that address the issues described above with prior art systems. Endoscope 100 may include or be connected to a broadband light source 102. The broadband light source 102 may include a plurality of light sources or may be a single light source. The broadband light source 102 may include one or more of a laser, an OLED, a LED, a halogen lamp, an incandescent lamp, supercontinuum light source pumped by a laser, and/or a fluorescent lamp. The broadband light source 102 may be any light source that provides light which can then be split up into at least three bands in which each band is further dispersed to provide light which then used to for spectral encoding of spatial information. The broadband light source 102 may be fiber coupled or may be free space coupled to the other components of the endoscope 100.

[0055] The broadband light source 102 may be connected to a fiber 104 which guides light from the broadband light source 102 to a splitter 106. The splitter 106 receives light from the broadband light source 102 via an input port 106a and outputs the light via a first output port 106b and a second output port 106c. The splitter 106 divides the received light based on the wavelength of the light. A first band of light is sent out the first output port 106b. A second band of light and a third band of light are sent out the second output port. The first band of light encompasses spectra that is between the second band of light and the third band of light as illustrated in FIG. 2. The bands of light illustrated in FIG. 2 represent the ranges of light in which the sample is illuminated with light. The spectral shape of the intensity of the light in each band is a function of the light source 102, the splitter 106, and other optics in the system 100. The spectral shape of the intensity may be compensated for during calibration. A band of light has a spectra of light between X.sub.1 . . . X.sub.N in which X refers to the first, second, or third bands. The wavelengths X.sub.1 and X.sub.N describe the light at a threshold B % that is a percentage of the maximum intensity of the light after the splitter 106 for each band X. In one embodiment, B % may take on any non-zero number (such as 1%, 10%, 50%, 90%). The splitter 106 may be a fiber optic coupled thin film filter, a fused fiber coupler, a circulator and fiber Bragg grating combination, a planar waveguide splitter, or some other combination of optical components which splits light according to wavelength. In an alternative embodiment, the broadband light source 102 and the splitter 106 are coupled via free space. In one embodiment, the splitter includes a green dichroic mirror which reflects green light and transmits red and blue light.

[0056] The splitter 106 couples the first band of light to a first waveguide 108 via the first output port 106b. The splitter 106 couples the second band and the third band of light to a second waveguide 110 via the second output port 106c. In one embodiment, the first waveguide 108 and the second waveguide 110 are single mode fibers.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment, there is no splitter 106. Instead, the light source 102 includes at least two light sources 102a and 102b. Light from a first light source 102a couples a first band of light into the first waveguide 108. Light from a second light source 102b couples the second band and the third band into the second waveguide 110. The second light source 102a may be single broad band light source followed by a notch filter or two separate light sources one for each of the second band and the third band.

[0058] The first waveguide 108 and the second waveguide 110 are coupled to an optical system 112. The optical system 112 may include one or more optical components. The optical system may include a graded index (GRIN) lens 112a. The optical system 112 may collimate the light from both waveguides 108 and 110. The optical system 112 transmits light from the waveguides 108 and 110 to a diffraction grating 114. The optical system 112 may also include a spacer 112b between the GRIN lens 112a and the diffraction grating 114.

[0059] The diffraction grating 114 disperses light. How much the grating disperses light depends on a variety of variables. Different wavelengths of light leave the grating at different diffraction angles (.sub.D); The diffraction angle .sub.D is a function of the wavelength of light (), the incident angle (.sub.I), the diffraction order (m), and properties of the optical components in the system 100. The incident angle of the second and third band (.sub.I.sub.BR) is different from the incident angle of the first band (.sub.I.sub.G). The diffraction grating 114 is positioned such that the light from the first band, the second band, and the third band overlap each other on the sample 116. The light may be made to overlap by carefully choosing the incident angles .sub.I and the diffraction orders m associated with each band (m.sub.R, m.sub.G, m.sub.B) in combination with each other. As illustrated in the figures below the diffraction grating 114 is a transmission grating. An alternative embodiment may also include a reflection grating without going beyond the scope of the embodiments.

[0060] In alternative embodiment, the optical system 112 may partially collimate the light from both waveguides 108 and 110 such that the light is focused onto the sample 116 but it is substantially collimated at the grating 114. In one embodiment, blue and red illumination light is guided via the second fiber 110 and green light is guided via the first fiber 108. In one embodiment, the diffraction orders (m.sub.R, m.sub.G, m.sub.B) are (3, 3, 2).

[0061] The apparatus 100 includes a detection waveguide 118. The detection waveguide 118 may be a multimode fiber, a plurality of multimode fibers, a fiber bundle, a fiber taper, or some other waveguide. The detection waveguide 118 gathers light from the sample which has been illuminated by light that has been dispersed by the grating 114. The light gathered by the detection waveguide 118 may be reflected light, scattered light, and/or fluorescent light. In one embodiment, the detection fiber 118 may be placed before or after the grating 114. The detection waveguide 118 guides detection light from the sample 116 to a spectrometer 120.

[0062] The spectrometer 120 may include one or more optical components that disperse light and guide the detection light from the detection waveguide 118 to one or more detectors. The one or more detectors may be a linear array, a CCD, a plurality of photodiodes or some other method of converting the light into an electrical signal. The spectrometer may include one or dispersive components such as a prisms, gratings, or grisms. The spectrometer 120 may include optics and opto-electronics components which allow the spectrometer to measure the intensity and wavelength of the detection light from the sample 116. The spectrometer 120 may include an analog to digital converter (ADC).

[0063] The spectrometer 120 may transmit the digital signals to an image processor 122. The image processor 122 may be a dedicated image processor or a general purpose processor that is configured to process images. In an alternative embodiment, the image processor 122 may include an ADC and receive analog signals from the spectrometer 120. The image processor 122 may include one or more of a CPU, DSP, FPGA, ASIC or some other processing circuitry. The image processor 122 may include memory for storing image, data, and instructions. The image processor 122 generates a plurality of images including a red image 124r, a green image 124g, and a blue image 124b. The image processor 122 then combines the red image 124r, the green image 124g, and the blue image 124b into a color image 126.

[0064] One or more components of the endoscope 100 may be rotated, or oscillated so as to scan a line of illumination light two create a 2D array of illumination light. A 2D image may be formed by scanning a spectrally encoded line from the grating 114 across the sample 116. The endoscope 100 may include a junction that rotates which and couple light from the waveguides 108 and 110 to the optical system 112. An alternative embodiment, may include an optical component (mirror) after the grating 114 which rotates or scans the spectrally encoded line of illumination light across the sample 116 substantially perpendicular to the spectrally encoded line of illumination light in a linear line or circumferentially in a circle so as to produce toroidal images. Substantially in the context of the present invention means within the alignment and/or detection tolerances of the endoscope 100.

[0065] In an embodiment, the first band of light includes green light G.sub.1 . . . G.sub.N, the second band of light includes red light R.sub.1 . . . R.sub.N, and the third band of light includes blue light B.sub.1 . . . B.sub.N. In one embodiment, the bands of light are: G.sub.1 . . . G.sub.N is 500 nm-575 nm; R.sub.1 . . . R.sub.N is 622.5 nm-735 nm; and B.sub.1 . . . B.sub.N is 415 nm-490 nm.

[0066] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a portion of the endoscope 100 showing the arrangement of the first waveguide 108, the second waveguide 110, the grin Lens 112a, the space 112b, the grating 114, and the detection fiber 118. As illustrated in FIG. 3 the grating disperses the light such red, green, and blue bands overlap each other forming a line 328 of illumination light, which is then scanned across an area of the sample 116. An embodiment may be a side-viewing endoscope a portion of which is rotated to obtain toroidal image of the area around the endoscope. The grating 114 may be fabricated using one or more techniques such as dry-etching, wet-etching, nano-imprint, soft lithography, direct ruling, etc. The grating 144 may be a binary grating. In an embodiment, the GRIN lens 112a is replaced with a ball lens. The illumination fibers 108 and 110 may be attached to a polished end of the GRIN lens 112a. An angle-polished spacer 112b may be position between the GRIN lens 112a and the grating 114. One or more detection fibers 118 may be are adjacent to, close by, or attached to a side surface of the GRIN lens 112a.

[0067] In one embodiment, the grating 114 is adjacent to, close by, or attached to the spacer 112b. In one embodiment, the grating is also adjacent to, close by, or attached to the detection fiber 118. In one embodiment, index matching fluid may be used between one or more of the optical components including: waveguide 108, waveguide 110, grin lens 112a, space 112a, grating 114, and waveguide 118.

[0068] FIG. 4 is an illustration of how the two incident beams travel through the spacer 112a at two different angles .sub.I.sub.BR and .sub.I.sub.G relative to a normal of the diffraction grating 114. In an embodiment blue, green, and red light is diffracted in the direction of the sample 116 by the grating 114. The grating 114 is designed so that at least portion of the blue, green, and red light illumination lines overlap on the sample 116. The blue light and the red light from the illumination fiber are both incident on the grating at substantially the same angle .sub.I.sub.BR. As the light travels through the GRIN lens 112a and the spacer 112b the blue and red light can be slightly dispersed, the dispersion is minimal and is easily compensated for by the image processor 122. The incident angle of the green light from the first illumination fiber 108 is incident at a different angle .sub.I.sub.G as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, the diffraction order of the blue light m.sub.B is different than the diffraction order of the red light m.sub.R. Equation (1) below is a general equation to describe the diffraction of the grating 114.

n.sub.I sin .sub.I+n.sub.D sin .sub.D=mG(1)

[0069] In the context of one embodiment, the following parameters of equation (1) are: the refractive index of the spacer 112b is n.sub.I; the refractive index of the medium immediately following the grating 114 before the illumination light is incident on the sample is n.sub.D; the incident angle of the illumination light as it is incident on the grating 114 while in the spacer 112b is .sub.I; the diffraction angle of the illumination light as it leaves the grating 114 to illuminate the sample is .sub.D; the diffraction order is m; the groove density of the grating 114 is G; and the wavelength of the illumination light is .

[0070] Equation (1) may be adapted to describe the boundary conditions of the illumination light in the three bands as described by the following simultaneous equations (2) below.

n.sub.I sin .sub.I.sub.BR+n.sub.D sin .sub.D.sub.1=m.sub.RGR.sub.1

n.sub.I sin .sub.I.sub.BR+n.sub.D sin .sub.D=m.sub.RGR.sub.N

n.sub.I sin .sub.I.sub.BR+n.sub.D sin .sub.D.sub.1=m.sub.BGB.sub.1

n.sub.I sin .sub.I.sub.BR+n.sub.D sin .sub.D.sub.N=m.sub.BGB.sub.N

n.sub.I sin .sub.I.sub.G+n.sub.D sin .sub.D.sub.1=m.sub.GGG.sub.1

n.sub.I sin .sub.I.sub.G+n.sub.D sin .sub.D.sub.N=m.sub.GGG.sub.N(2)

[0071] By resolving like variables equations (2) may be converted to the following equations (3).

n.sub.I sin .sub.I.sub.BR=m.sub.RGR.sub.1n.sub.D sin .sub.D=m.sub.RGR.sub.Nn.sub.D sin .sub.D.sub.N=m.sub.BGB.sub.1n.sub.D sin .sub.D.sub.1=m.sub.BGB.sub.Nn.sub.D sin .sub.D

n.sub.I sin .sub.I.sub.G=m.sub.GGG.sub.Nn.sub.D sin .sub.D.sub.N=m.sub.GGG.sub.1n.sub.D sin .sub.D.sub.1(3)

[0072] Gathering like terms of first equation in the set of equations (3) gives us the set of equations (4). Which sets limits on the red and blue bands for given diffraction orders.

m.sub.RR.sub.1=m.sub.BB.sub.1

m.sub.RR.sub.N=m.sub.BB.sub.N

R.sub.1>R.sub.N>B.sub.1>B.sub.N

{m.sub.R,m.sub.B|sgn(m.sub.R)=sgn(m.sub.B),|m.sub.R|<|m.sub.B|,m.sub.Rm.sub.B0}(4)

[0073] In an embodiment, the wavelength of the blue band is around of the wavelength of the red band. In one embodiment, |m.sub.R| is 2 and |m.sub.B| is 3, in which they both have the same sign. In an embodiment, the wavelength range for the blue band B.sub.1 . . . B.sub.N is 415 nm-490 nm, in which case the wavelength range for the red band R.sub.1 . . . R.sub.N is 622.5 nm-735 nm according to equation (4) above. For a given grating and optical system in which groove density G of the grating 114 is 1100 lines/mm (0.0011 lines/nm), the spacer 112b has a refractive index n.sub.I of 1.5037, and the medium outside the grating is air so the refractive index of the medium n.sub.D is 1. In which case first equation in the set of equations (3) may be simplified to equation (5) below:

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}1.5037.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}=.Math.3*0.0011*415-\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_1}\\ =.Math.3*0.0011*490-\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_N}\\ =.Math.2*0.0011*622.5-\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_1}\\ =.Math.2*0.0011*735-\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_N}\end{array}& \left(5\right)\\ \begin{array}{c}1.5037.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}=.Math.-2*0.0011*415-\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_1}\\ =.Math.-2*0.0011*490-\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_N}\\ =.Math.-3*0.0011*622.5-\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_1}\\ =.Math.-3*0.0011*735-\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_N}\end{array}& \end{array}$

which becomes

1.5037 sin .sub.I.sub.BR=1.3695sin .sub.D.sub.1=1.617sin .sub.D.sub.N

1.5037 sin .sub.I.sub.BR=1.3695sin .sub.D.sub.1=1.617sin .sub.D.sub.N

[0074] Since the sine function used in equations (5) can only have values between 1 and 1 this imposes limits on .sub.I.sub.BR. In equation (5) this mean that a valid range for equation (5) in this system is describes by ranges (6). FIG. 4 is an illustration of the relationship between .sub.I.sub.BR, .sub.D.sub.1, and .sub.I.sub.BR.

{.sub.I.sub.BR90<.sub.I.sub.BR<25 and 25<.sub.I.sub.BR<90}(6)

[0075] More generally equation (6) as applied to any grating may be described by ranges (7).

[00002]$\begin{array}{cc}\left\{{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}|-90.Math.<{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}<{\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{m_B.Math.G.Math..Math..Math..Math.B_1-1}{n_I}\right).Math..Math.\mathrm{and}.Math..Math.{\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{1-m_B.Math.G.Math..Math..Math..Math.B_1}{n_I}\right)<{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}<90.Math.\right\}& \left(7\right)\end{array}$

[0076] A reformulation of the set of equations (2) can be used to determine the relationship between .sub.I.sub.BR and .sub.I.sub.G. We may start by rearranging set of equations (2) into set of equations (2a).

[00003]$\begin{array}{cc}{n}_D.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_1}=m_R.Math.G.Math..Math..Math..Math.R_1-n_I.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}.Math..Math.n_D.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_N}=m_R.Math.G.Math..Math..Math..Math.R_N-n_I.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}.Math..Math.n_D.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_1}=m_B.Math.G.Math..Math..Math..Math.B_1-n_I.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}.Math..Math.n_D.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_N}=m_B.Math.G.Math..Math..Math..Math.B_N-n_I.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}.Math..Math.{}_{I_G}={\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{m_G.Math.G.Math..Math..Math..Math.G_1-n_D.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_1}}{n_I}\right).Math..Math.{}_{I_G}={\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{m_G.Math.G.Math..Math..Math..Math.G_N-n_D.Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{D_N}}{n_I}\right)& \left(2.Math.a\right)\end{array}$

[0077] Equations (2a) may be substituted into each other to give us set of equations (8) which describe the relationship between incident angle for the green light relative to the incident angle for the blue and red light.

[00004]$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{}_{I_G}=.Math.{\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{G}{n_I}.Math.\left(m_G.Math..Math..Math.G_1-m_R.Math..Math..Math.R_1\right)+\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}\right)\\ =.Math.{\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{G}{n_I}.Math.\left(m_G.Math..Math..Math.G_1-m_B.Math..Math..Math.B_1\right)+\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}\right)\\ =.Math.{\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{G}{n_I}.Math.\left(m_G.Math..Math..Math.G_N-m_R.Math..Math..Math.R_N\right)+\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}\right)\\ =.Math.{\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{G}{n_I}.Math.\left(m_G.Math..Math..Math.G_N-m_B.Math..Math..Math.B_N\right)+\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}\right)\end{array}& \left(8\right)\end{array}$

[0078] In an embodiment, G.sub.1 . . . G.sub.N is 500 nm-575 nm are chosen in combination with the diffraction order (m.sub.G) of 3 so that wavelength range overlaps with the blue and red ranges in accordance with set of equations (9). Equation (8) implies that the wavelength ranges should be set so that they are proportional to each other in accordance with the diffraction orders as described by equation (9).

m.sub.B(B.sub.NB.sub.1)=m.sub.G(G.sub.NG.sub.1)=m.sub.R(R.sub.NR.sub.1),B.sub.N<G.sub.1<G.sub.N<R.sub.1(9)

[0079] The same parameters that were used in equation (5) may also be applied to the set of equations (8) in which case equation (8) becomes equations (10).

[00005]$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{}_{I_G}=.Math.{\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{0.0011}{1.5037}.Math.\left(3*500-2*622.5\right)+\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}\right)\\ =.Math.{\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{0.0011}{1.5037}.Math.\left(3*500-3*415\right)+\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}\right)\\ =.Math.{\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{0.0011}{1.5037}.Math.\left(3*575-2*735\right)+\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}\right)\\ =.Math.{\sin }^{-1}\left(\frac{0.0011}{1.5037}.Math.\left(3*575-3*490\right)+\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}\right)\end{array}& \left(10\right)\end{array}$

[0080] Simplifying equation (10) gives use equation (11) as illustrated in FIG. 6. Equation (10a) describes a relationship between the two beams .sub.I.sub.G and .sub.I.sub.BR. The set of equations (10) reduces to a single equation (11) due to the boundary condition of equation (9).

.sub.I.sub.G=sin.sup.1(0.1866+sin .sub.I.sub.BR)(11)

[0081] In an embodiment, the incident angle .sub.I.sub.BR for the blue and red illumination light on the diffraction grating may be chosen to be 27.2 in which case the diffraction ranges .sub.D.sub.1 . . . .sub.D.sub.N are approximately 43.0-63.4. In order for the wavelength ranges to overlap at those same diffraction ranges than incident angle .sub.I.sub.G for the green light should be 40.1. In an embodiment, a spatial filter may be placed after the grating 114 such that only light exiting the grating between the diffraction ranges .sub.D.sub.1 . . . .sub.D.sub.N is incident on the sample 116.

[0082] In an embodiment, the groove depth of the grating 114 may be 1.22 m, and the groove opening width of the grating 114 may be 0.29 m. By design, diffraction angle .sub.D.sub.1 for wavelengths B.sub.1, G.sub.1, and R.sub.1 are the same. As a consequence, the light with these 3 wavelengths is incident at one location on the sample 116. In the same way, the light of wavelengths B.sub.N, G.sub.N, and R.sub.N are all diffracted at the same angle .sub.D.sub.N and are all incident on another location on the sample 116. Thus, blue, green, and red illumination lines overlap on the sample 116.

[0083] As discussed above, the detection waveguide 118 may have the same grating 114 on it as the illumination optics. The light which is gathered by the detection waveguide 118 may first pass through the grating 114, in which cases the grating diffracts the light and may allow more light to be gathered by the detection waveguide 118. The red, green, and blue illumination light is partly reflected and/or scattered by the sample 116. The detection waveguide(s) 118 may collect part of the reflected/scattered light through the grating 114.

[0084] Back to FIG. 1, the detection waveguide 118 delivers detected light from the sample 116 to the spectrometer 120. The spectrometer 120 obtains 1D spectrum data for the 3 wavelength bands (blue, green, and red) from the detected light. In an embodiment, multiple spectrometers may be used instead of single spectrometer. The probe is rotated by a motor so that the illumination light lines scan the sample 116, and 2D data (spectrum and time) can be obtained by the spectrometer 120. An image processor 122 may generate three 2D images for red (124r), green (124g), and blue (124b) from the 2D data. In which case, one length dimension is encoded by wavelength and another length dimension is encoded by time. The image processor builds a 2D color image 126 from the 3 images 124.

[0085] The waveguides 108, 110, and 118 may be single mode fibers, multi-mode fibers, double-clad fibers, multi-core fibers, and/or planar waveguides, etc.

[0086] Using this approach with two waveguides to create three overlapping bands eases some of the problems associated with a three waveguide approach. A first obvious advantage is the number of waveguides is reduced, which makes alignment easier. This also allows for the diameter of the probe to be reduced, which improves the usefulness of the probe. This also improves the NA requirement for the lens between grating and waveguides relative to a three waveguide probe. Also lower diffraction orders may be used since wavelength ratio between Blue and Red bands is roughly 2:3, the order of diffraction to be used in this approach can be 3rd and 2nd. The aspect ratio of the grating is smaller than the grating used for 6th order diffraction which is required for the 3 fiber approach. This allows for easier fabrication of the grating.

[0087] In one embodiment, the focusing NA of the SEE probe illumination light as it is incident on the sample 116 may be less than 0.1. In a second embodiment, the focusing NA of the SEE probe illumination light as it is incident on the sample 116 is less than 0.05. In a third embodiment, the focusing NA of the SEE probe illumination light as it is incident on the sample 116 is less than 0.025.

Diffraction Orders

[0088] An embodiment may be described in terms of the incident angle difference between 2 color channels using two different fibers. An embodiment may be described in terms of an inequality about incident angles of the two different fibers of the 2 color channels and other parameters.

[0089] An embodiment may include a G-channel (green) as a middle channel between a B-channel (blue) and a R-channel (red) in terms of wavelength. The B-channel and the R-channel may use the same fiber. That is, .sub.I.sub.B=.sub.I.sub.R. The G-channel may use a different fiber from the B-channel and the R-channel.

[0090] In one embodiment, the diffraction order associated with the B-channel and the G-channel are the same; and the diffraction order associated with R channel is different. While in a different embodiment, the diffraction order associated with the R-channel and the G-channel are the same and the diffraction order associated with B channel is different.

Setting Wavelength Ranges for an Embodiment

[0091] In an embodiment, wavelength differences for light incident on the same location of the subject (tissue) between blue and green, or, green and red channels, should be larger than 50 nm. Otherwise, it may be difficult to efficiently use visible spectrum.

[0092] In one embodiment, the diffraction orders (m.sub.R, m.sub.G, m.sub.B) are (2, 3, 3), in which case equation (8) may be adapted to describe this embodiment as described in equation (12) below. In which the variables X.sub.i represent wavelengths of light in each band associated with an overlapping position i on the sample.

n.sub.I(sin .sub.I.sub.Gsin .sub.I.sub.BR)=m.sub.GG(G.sub.iB.sub.i)>m.sub.GG(50 nm)(12)

[0093] In another embodiment, the diffraction orders (m.sub.R, m.sub.G, m.sub.B) are (2, 2, 3), in which case equation (8) may be adapted to describe this embodiment as shown in equation (13) below:

n.sub.I(sin .sub.I.sub.BRsin .sub.I.sub.G)=m.sub.GG(R.sub.iG.sub.i)>m.sub.GG(50 nm)(13)

[0094] Equations (12) and (13) may be combined to describe the relationship between the incident angles of the light from the two waveguides in and equation (14) below.

[00006]$\begin{array}{cc}\frac{n_I.Math..Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_G}-\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}.Math.}{m_G.Math.G}>50.Math..Math.\mathrm{nm}& \left(14\right)\end{array}$

[0095] Equations (12)-(13) may be described in terms of a common parameter which is defined below in equation (15). The common parameter may vary depending on the resolution of the spectrometer, the dispersion of the grating, and/or variability in the reflectance of the sample.

=G.sub.iB.sub.i or =R.sub.iG.sub.i(15)

[0096] In an embodiment, the common parameter may be 30 nm, 50 nm, or 70 nm which describes the difference in wavelength of two of the at least three wavelengths which are incident on the same spot of the sample. Equation (14) may also be more generally rewritten in terms of equation (15) as equation (16) below:

[00007]$\begin{array}{cc}\frac{n_I.Math..Math.\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_G}-\sin .Math..Math.{}_{I_{\mathrm{BR}}}.Math.}{m_G.Math.G}>& \left(16\right)\end{array}$

[0097] Equations (4) and (9) above describe some of the limitations on the edges of wavelength bands used in an embodiment in addition the edges of the wavelength bands should not overlap as described by the relation (17) below:

B.sub.1<B.sub.N<G.sub.1<G.sub.N<R.sub.1<R.sub.N(17)

[0098] In an embodiment, a splitter 106 may be chosen such that there is a gap between: B.sub.N and G.sub.1; and between G.sub.N and R.sub.1. The splitter 106 may include a dichroic mirror or other filters which have a finite slope in transmission/reflection spectrum. For example, 10 nm, 15 nm, or 20 nm may be set as the gap between 2 wavelengths to take the finite slope into account.

[0099] In a typical embodiment, wavelengths around 400 nm and under are too short for practical use due to absorption of the typical optical material (glass) at this wavelength. Special embodiments using specially designed materials may be used for wavelengths around 400 nm and below. An embodiment may set B.sub.1 to be greater than 405 nm, 410 nm, or 415 nm.

[0100] A typical embodiment, may be designed to be used to view a sample that includes hemoglobin. The absorption spectrum of hemoglobin has a significant slope around 600 nm which has an impact on the reflectance of a sample. Since the spectra is used to encode location this slope around 600 nm impacts the ability of the SEE if a wavelength around 600 nm is used to encode location. Therefore, an embodiment may avoid using wavelengths around 600 nm to encode location. Alternative embodiments may be designed taking changes in the reflectance of the sample into account when choosing which wavelength ranges are used to encode location.

[0101] For a typical embodiment, B.sub.1 may be set to be 415 nm and G.sub.1 may be set to 500 nm. The diffraction orders (m.sub.R, m.sub.G, m.sub.B) may be set to be (2, 3, 3). Based on equation (4), R.sub.1 should be 622.5. The wavelength band edge G.sub.1 may be set to 500 nm, this may allow an embodiment to avoid the 600 nm slope referenced above. In an embodiment, a gap between B.sub.N and G.sub.1 may 10 nm, therefore B.sub.N may be set to be 490 nm. The wavelengths G.sub.N and R.sub.N may then be determined using equation (9) which ensures that all the wavelength bands overlap and have same FOV. Therefore, G.sub.N is set to 575 and R.sub.N is set to 735.

[0102] Once the wavelength bands are set the dichroic mirrors (or other filters) may be chosen based on these wavelength bands. Corresponding performance (for example transmittance/reflectance) should have enough quality, for example, >50%, >70%, and >90% for each color channel wavelength band.

[0103] One or more optical components (such as the GRIN lens 112a and the spacer 112b) other than the grating 114 have some chromatic dispersion. This chromatic dispersion may slightly shift positions of the edges of the wavelength band but this shift should be at most 10 nm and more likely less than 1 nm or 0.1 nm for a typical sized endoscope. The amount of chromatic shift is proportional to the length of the optical components.

[0104] The design of an embodiment involves the setting of at least 6 wavelengths. Once the diffraction orders of each band are chosen, 3 of those wavelengths are dependent upon boundary conditions defined in equations (4) and (6). In other words, there are 3 degrees of freedom in choosing the 6 wavelengths. For example, in an embodiment, the combination of diffraction orders may be determined first. Next, three of the four wavelengths (B.sub.1, B.sub.N, G.sub.1, G.sub.N) may be chosen. The other 3 wavelengths of the 6 wavelengths are determined based on the chosen wavelengths and equations (4) and (9). The wavelengths are chosen to satisfy the wavelength gap requirement between the blue channel and the green channel, and between the green channel and the red channel. While the wavelength boundaries may be chosen to avoid certain wavelengths such as below 400 nm and the Hemoglobin slope around 600 nm these are not requirements and change depending upon the application of the embodiment.

[0105] Filters (e.g. dichroic mirror) are chosen so that they satisfy performance requirement for those wavelength bands. For example, transmittance/reflectance is more than 50%.

[0106] While this embodiment has been described in terms of a three wavelength band system. The system may be extended to a 4 or 5 wavelength band system.

Second Embodiment

[0107] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a second embodiment 700 that includes a forward view and a rotary junction. The SEE system 700 illustrated in FIG. 7 is substantially similar to the SEE system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The SEE system 700 includes a probe, a light source 102, a spectrometer 120, and an image processor 122. Portions of the SEE system 700 which are substantially similar or identical to the portions of the SEE system 100 will not be discussed in detail.

[0108] The probe in the second embodiment is forward viewing probe as opposed to a side viewing probe. The probe includes a spacer 712b which couple light to the grating 114 in such a manner that the light is diffracted in the forward direction. The spacer 712b may be include a reflective surface or make use of total internal reflection to guide light to the grating 114.

[0109] The probe in the second embodiment may also be rotated continuously by a rotary junction 728 that is between the light source 102 and splitter 106. The rotary junction may be a ball lens or some other optical rotary junction. The connection between the light source 102 and the rotary junction 728 may be a free space coupling or a fiber coupling. The rotary junction may supply just illumination light via the rotary coupling or may supply one or more of illumination light, power, and/or sensory signal lines.

[0110] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a portion of the forward viewing SEE probe as used in the second embodiment 700. The two illumination waveguides 110 and 108 may be attached to an end surface of a GRIN lens 112a. An angle-polished spacer 712b may be attached to the other end surface of the GRIN lens 112a. Index matching fluid may be between the angle-polished spacer 712b and the GRIN lens 112a. The angle-polished spacer 712b and the GRIN lens 112a may be glued together. The angle-polished spacer 712b and the GRIN lens 112a may be pressed together at a specified pressure. One of the polished surfaces of the angle-polished spacer 712b may work as mirror to bend the light from the illumination waveguides 110 and 108. In an alternative embodiment, a reflective coating may be placed on one or more of the surfaces of the angle-polished spacer 712b.

[0111] The grating 114 may be made on another of the polished surfaces of the angle polished spacer 712b. The grating 114 and the angle-polished spacer 712b may be combined into a single grism. In one embodiment, the grating may be attached to angle-polished spacer 712b via index matching fluid, glue, and/or they may be pressed together at a specified pressure.

[0112] As in the first embodiment blue (including wavelengths B.sub.1 . . . B.sub.N) and red light (R.sub.1 . . . R.sub.N) are coupled into one (110) of the waveguides, and green light (G.sub.1 . . . G.sub.N) are coupled into the other waveguide (108). Since the two illumination fibers are separated on the GRIN lens, the blue/red light and the green light from the fibers are incident on the mirror surface of the angle-polished spacer 712b at different angles, and so they are also incident on the grating 114 at different angles.

[0113] The parameters of the grating (refractive index, groove density, groove depth, groove opening width, and order of diffraction), spacer angles, location of fibers, and the numerical aperture (NA) of the GRIN lens are chosen so that the blue, green, and red light illumination lines overlap on the sample. For example, all the parameters for the first embodiment are still relevant for this second embodiment.

[0114] In addition, the diameter of the angle-polished spacer 712b may be 500 m. The diameter of the GRIN lens 112a can be 500 m. The angle between probe axis and mirror surface normal may be 54.5. The NA of the GRIN lens 112a may be 0.34. In one embodiment, the fiber offset r.sub.G is +165 m for waveguide 108 relative to the center of the GRIN lens 112a and the fiber offset r.sub.BR is 10 m for waveguide 110 relative to the center of the GRIN lens 112a.

[0115] In one embodiment the focusing NA of the SEE probe at the sample may be less than 0.1 or, in most cases is less than 0.05, and is often less than 0.025

[0116] The probe of the second embodiment 700 may include one or more detection waveguide(s) 118. In one embodiment, the detection waveguide(s) 118 are not rotated. The detection waveguide(s) 118 collect light scattered/reflected from the sample 116, and deliver the light to the spectrometer 120.

[0117] The probe of the second embodiment 700 may have a beam blocker 730 to prevent light diffracted in lower orders from illuminating the sample 116. For example, if 3rd/3rd/2nd order diffraction is used for blue/green/red for illumination, this beam blocker 730 can be used to block light diffracted in 2nd/2nd/1st order (and lower order) for blue/green/red. The beam blocker 730 can prevent such light from illuminating the sample 116 which is then absorbed, scattered, and/or reflected by the sample 116. The beam blocker 730 rotates together with the illumination optics.

[0118] One or more optical components may be added between the grating 114 and the sample 116 to increase field of view. The optics may be static. For example, they may include a lens.

Third Embodiment

[0119] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a portion of an alternative embodiment of SEE in which the splitter 106 and the rotary junction 728 are combined into a rotary splitter 928. A waveguide 104 may be connected to the light source 102 at the stationary side 928a of the rotary junction 928a. The illumination waveguides 108 and 110 attached to the probe are on the rotating side 928b of the rotary splitter 928. Light from waveguide 104 may be collimated by a lens 932a. The collimated light is divided into 2 paths by a dichroic mirror 934. The dichroic mirror 934 is transparent to green light, and reflects blue light and red light. The green light is coupled to the waveguide 108 through a lens 932b. The blue light and red light are coupled to the waveguide 110 through a mirror 936 and a lens 932c. The dichroic mirror 934, the mirror 936, and the lenses 932b-c are rotated together along with the illumination waveguides 108 and 110. The axis of rotation may be centered on the axis of waveguide 108 where the illumination is initially coupled to the waveguide by the lens 932b.

Fourth Embodiment

[0120] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a portion of an embodiment in which a high NA lens is used in the SEE probe, that is substantially similar to the probe 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The high NA system may also be adapted to the SEE probe illustrated in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 10 another lens 1012d may be inserted between one of the illumination waveguides 110 and collimation lens 1021a attached to the spacer 112b to change the NA of the illumination light. In one embodiment, the illumination waveguide 108 couples light to a first lens 1012a. The illumination waveguide 110 may also be coupled to a spacer rod 1012c. Light from the spacer rod 1012c may also be coupled to a high NA lens 1012d. Light from the high NA lens 1012d may be coupled to the lens 1012a. The first lens 1012a may couple light to the spacer 112b which is then diffracted by grating 114. In an alternative embodiment, waveguides 108 and 110 are switched. In an alternative embodiment, an additional spacer rod and lens are added between lens 1012a and waveguide 108.

[0121] The applicants have found that it is sometimes advantageous to fill the grating 114 with illumination light. It also sometimes advantageous to adjust the spot size of illumination light as it exits each waveguide independently. This allows for greater design freedom. It is therefore, effective to put high NA lens for one or each of the two illumination waveguides.

Fifth Embodiment

[0122] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a portion of an embodiment in which the High NA lens is used on one of the waveguides 108 or 110 that is substantially similar to the probe illustrated in FIG. 7 with a forward view design instead of the side view design illustrated in FIG. 10. High NA lens is inserted only between illumination waveguide 108 for green light and the collimation lens 1012a to increase NA of green light. Blue light and red light should have difference in their incident angles relative to the green light which is large enough for illumination overlap on sample. That can make it challenging to increase NA for all the illumination light between illumination waveguide 108 and spacer 712b. The blue light, red light, and green light should not hit grating 114 directly without reflection by mirror surface of the spacer 712b. Human eyes are more sensitive to green light than blue/red light. Therefore, it may be reasonable to make the NA larger for green light than for blue light or red light to obtain higher resolution for green in image than for blue and red. In one embodiment, the NA of the blue light and red light may be 0.11 as it is incident on the lens 1012a and the NA for the green light as it is incident on the lens 1012a may be 0.27.

Sixth Embodiment

[0123] FIG. 12 is an illustration of another embodiment, which is substantially similar to the other embodiment except that four channels are used. The four channels for example, might be Blue, Green, Red, and Infrared. The infrared information can be used to provide additional infrared information simultaneously with the RGB color imaging. Also it may be used for compensation of color matching in RGB imaging. For example, the wavelength for G.sub.1 . . . G.sub.N may be 500 nm-575 nm; R.sub.1 . . . R.sub.N may be 622.5 nm-735 nm; B.sub.1 . . . B.sub.N may be 415 nm-490 nm; and infrared color IR.sub.1 . . . IR.sub.N may be 750 nm-862.5 nm.

[0124] In an embodiment, the splitter 106 splits light from the light source 102, so that the blue light and the red light are coupled into the illumination waveguide 110 and the green light and the infrared light are coupled into the illumination waveguide 108. The order of diffraction for the blue light m.sub.B is different from the order of diffraction for the red light m.sub.R. Also the order of diffraction for the green light m.sub.G is different from the order of diffraction for the infrared light m.sub.IR. Order of diffraction used for blue, green, red, and infrared (m.sub.B, m.sub.G, m.sub.R, m.sub.IR) can be (3, 3, 2, 2) respectively.

Waveguide Offset

[0125] FIG. 13 is an illustration of a portion of an embodiment. In an embodiment, the incident angles .sub.I.sub.G and .sub.I.sub.BR may be controlled by adjusting offsets y.sub.G and y.sub.BR of the centers of the waveguides (108, 110) relative to the center of the GRIN lens 112a. The diameter (D) of the GRIN lens may be 500 m. The pitch of GRIN lens may be around 0.25 in which case the light exiting the GRIN lens may be approximately collimated. An angle .sub.GRIN between collimated light and GRIN lens axis may be calculated using equation (12) below.

[00008]$\begin{array}{cc}\sin .Math..Math.{}_{\mathrm{GRIN}}=2.Math.y.Math.\frac{\mathrm{NA}}{n_I.Math.D}& \left(12\right)\end{array}$

[0126] A value of .sub.GRIN for each waveguide may be calculated based on .sub.I.sub.G, .sub.I.sub.BR, and the properties of the spacer 112b. This may then be used to calculate the offsets for each waveguide. When the edge of the waveguide is not on the front surface of the GRIN lens 112a, such as when coreless fiber is inserted between the waveguide and the GRIN lens 112a then the GRIN lens pitch may be a little smaller than 0.25 (e.g. 0.23). Ray tracing may be used to get a more accurate value for the offset.

Chromatic Dispersion

[0127] In the description above, the chromatic dispersion of optical material used to make the optical components of the optical system (e.g. GRIN lens 112a, spacer 112b) is ignored. If there is chromatic dispersion, that is the refractive index of material in optical path varies depending on wavelength. The combination of wavelengths of illumination light which is incident on the same location of sample will be slightly shifted from the combination described above. Such a wavelength shift may be compensated for during the image reconstruction process by the image processor 122.

[0128] For the compensation, a calibration step may be applied before imaging. For example, using a black-and-white target sample whose pattern is already known, three 2D images of red (124r), green (124g), and blue (124b) of the target can be obtained with the endoscope 110. The pattern may be a grid pattern or concentric circles. By comparing the target pattern and the obtained three 2D images, the relationships between the wavelengths and the view angles can be determined. This relationship will include any wavelength shift due to material dispersion, when this relationship is applied during image reconstruction, the wavelength shifts can be compensated for.

[0129] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions.