U.S. patent application number 12/756692 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-07 for imaging method and apparatus.
Invention is credited to John D. Allen, Peter Maxwell Delaney, Guido Hattendorf, Christoph Hauger, Hans-Joachim Miesner, Werner Nahm, Frank Rudolph.
Application Number | 20110166420 12/756692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44225090 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110166420 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miesner; Hans-Joachim ; et
al. |
July 7, 2011 |
IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS
Abstract
An imaging apparatus and method are provided. The probe for an
imaging apparatus includes a manually manipulable proximal portion;
a straight distal portion with a distal tip for locating at a site
to define an observational field; and a curved portion between the
proximal portion and the distal portion. The imaging method
includes the steps of locating a distal tip of an imaging probe at
a site to define an observational field; irradiating the
observational field from the distal tip; and collecting a return
signal at the distal tip; wherein the probe comprises a manually
manipulable proximal portion. The apparatus and method provided
herein are useful for various applications including but not
limited to endomicroscopy and other microsurgical procedures
performed under optical stereoscopic magnified visualization, such
as neurosurgery, ENT/facial surgery and spinal surgery.
Inventors: |
Miesner; Hans-Joachim;
(Aalen, DE) ; Hauger; Christoph; (Aalen, DE)
; Nahm; Werner; (Buehlerzell, DE) ; Rudolph;
Frank; (Aalen, DE) ; Hattendorf; Guido;
(Phoenix, AZ) ; Delaney; Peter Maxwell; (Carnegie,
AU) ; Allen; John D.; (Essendon, AU) |
Family ID: |
44225090 |
Appl. No.: |
12/756692 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61212272 |
Apr 8, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/160 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 7/02 20130101; A61B
90/94 20160201; A61B 5/6835 20130101; A61B 1/0005 20130101; A61B
1/00078 20130101; A61B 1/227 20130101; A61B 1/06 20130101; A61B
1/00045 20130101; A61B 5/0066 20130101; A61B 1/042 20130101; A61B
5/6852 20130101; A61B 5/6855 20130101; A61B 1/267 20130101; A61B
90/90 20160201; A61B 90/92 20160201; G02B 23/2476 20130101; A61B
8/12 20130101; G02B 21/0028 20130101; A61B 1/00172 20130101; A61B
5/0075 20130101; A61B 5/065 20130101; A61B 1/00041 20130101; A61B
1/00009 20130101; A61B 5/0084 20130101; A61B 5/064 20130101; A61B
1/0008 20130101; A61B 5/0068 20130101; A61B 1/313 20130101; A61B
1/233 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/160 |
International
Class: |
A61B 1/06 20060101
A61B001/06 |
Claims
1. A probe for an imaging apparatus, comprising: a manually
manipulable proximal portion; a straight distal portion with a
distal tip for locating at a site to define an observational field;
and a curved portion between the proximal portion and the distal
portion; wherein the straight portion has a length of between 75 mm
to 205 mm, the curved portion provides an angle between the
proximal portion and the 10 distal portion of between 120.degree.
and 150.degree., and the probe has a working length of between 125
mm to 300 mm.
2. A probe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curved portion
provides an angle between the proximal portion and the distal
portion of between 130.degree. and 140.degree..
3. A probe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe is an
endoscopic probe.
4. A probe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe is a
neurological probe, an ENT probe, an ultrasound probe, an OCT probe
or a CARS probe.
5. A probe as claimed in claim 1, comprising an orientation marking
that allows identification of an orientation of the probe.
6. A probe as claimed in claim 5, wherein the orientation marking
comprises one or more dots, strips, radial markings or near radial
markings.
7. A probe as claimed in claim 5, wherein the orientation marking
comprises a plurality of portions of different colours.
8. An imaging apparatus, comprising the probe of claim 1.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, comprising an
endomicroscopic apparatus.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, configured to orient an
image collected with the probe so as to correspond to a normal
field of view of a macroscopic visualization apparatus.
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, configured to orient a
rotate an image collected with the probe so as to correspond to a
field of view of a macroscopic visualization apparatus.
12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, configured to orient a
rotate an image collected with the probe so as to correspond to a
field of view of a macroscopic visualization apparatus by
transforming input signals for a scanning mechanism of the
apparatus to rotate x and y axes of the scanning mechanism.
13. An imaging method, comprising: locating a distal tip of an
imaging probe at a site to define an observational field;
irradiating the observational field from the distal tip; and
collecting a return signal at the distal tip; wherein the probe
comprises a manually manipulable proximal portion, a straight
distal portion including the distal tip, and a curved portion
between the proximal portion and the distal portion, and wherein
the straight portion has a length of between 75 mm to 205 mm, the
curved portion provides an angle between the proximal portion and
the distal portion of between 120.degree. and 150.degree., and the
probe has a working length of between 125 mm to 300 mm.
14. A method as claimed in claim 14, including providing an angle
between the proximal portion and the distal portion of between
130.degree. and 140.degree..
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/212,272 filed Apr. 8, 2009, the entire
contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an imaging method
and apparatus, of particular but by no means exclusive application
in endomicroscopy and in microsurgical and other procedures
performed under optical stereoscopic magnified visualization,
including neurosurgery, ENT/facial surgery and spinal surgery.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One existing microscopic probe comprises an endoscope or
endomicroscope, with an endoscopic head for insertion into a
patient (through the mouth or anus) coupled to a laser source by an
optical fibre or optical fibre bundle. Another microscopic probe is
similar to this endoscope, but adapted for examining the skin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, therefore,
there is provided a probe for an imaging apparatus, comprising: a
manually manipulable proximal portion; a straight distal portion
with a distal tip for locating at a site to define an observational
field; and a curved portion between the proximal portion and the
distal portion; wherein the straight portion has a length of
between 75 mm to 205 mm, the curved portion provides an angle
between the proximal portion and the distal portion of between
120.degree. and 150.degree., and the probe has a working length of
between 125 mm to 300 mm. In certain particular embodiments, the
curved portion provides an angle between the proximal portion and
the distal portion of between 130.degree. and 140.degree., and in a
specific embodiment, the angle is approximately 135.degree.. The
probe may be an endoscopic probe, such as a confocal endoscopic
probe. The probe may be, for example, a neurological probe, an ENT
probe, an ultrasound probe, an OCT probe or a CARS probe.
[0005] It will be appreciated by those in the art that the distal
tip refers to the terminal portion of the probe, and assumes
different forms in each of these embodiments. For example, the
distal tip of the ultrasound probe comprises an ultrasound head.
The probe may have an orientation marking that allows
identification of an orientation of the probe. The invention also
provides an imaging apparatus, comprising the probe described
above.
[0006] The apparatus may comprise an endomicroscope or other
endomicroscopic apparatus. An endomicroscope is high resolution
microscope capable of cellular, subcellular and surface and
subsurface imaging, such as a miniature confocal microscope or
other scanning microscope probe. The apparatus may be adapted to be
used with a macroscopic visualization apparatus such as an
operating microscope. As will be understood by those in the art, an
operating microscope is the main visualization tool of a
microsurgeon. It provides high magnification of tissue and thus
allows very fine surgical procedures to be performed, though does
not achieve cellular or subcellular resolution. An operating
microscope is typically a direct viewing binocular device with a
continuous passive optical path from tissue to observer. Thus,
while an operating microscope is commonly referred to as a
`microscope`, it should not be confused with an endomicroscope or
an apparatus according to the present invention, which are specific
types of microscopes that operate with at least an order of
magnitude higher magnification than an operating microscope. The
apparatus may be configured to orient an image collected with the
probe so as to correspond to a normal field of view of a
macroscopic visualization apparatus. The invention also provides an
operating microscope that includes an imaging apparatus as
described above.
[0007] According to a second aspect of the invention, therefore,
there is provided an imaging method, comprising: locating a distal
tip of an imaging probe at a site to define an observational field;
irradiating the observational field from the distal tip; and
collecting a return signal at the distal tip; wherein the probe
comprises a manually manipulable proximal portion, a straight
distal portion including the distal tip, and a curved portion
between the proximal portion and the distal portion, and wherein
the straight portion has a length of between 75 mm to 205 mm, the
curved portion provides an angle between the proximal portion and
the distal portion of between 120.degree. and 150.degree., and the
probe has a working length of between 125 mm to 300 mm.
[0008] In certain particular embodiments, the angle between the
proximal portion and the distal portion is between of between
130.degree. and 140.degree., and in a specific embodiment, the
angle is approximately 135.degree.. The probe may be an endoscopic
probe, in which case the observational field is irradiated with
light emitted from the distal tip, and the return signal comprises
return light.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In order that the invention may be more clearly ascertained,
preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example
only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a confocal endomicroscopic
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the probe of the apparatus of
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of the probe of the
apparatus of FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the probe of the apparatus of
FIG. 1 in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an endomicroscope system 10
according to an embodiment of the present invention. System 10
includes a laser source 12 with 488 nm wavelength output, a light
separator in the form of an optical coupler 14, a confocal
endomicroscope probe 16, a power monitor 18 and a detection unit
20. System 10 includes a control box (not shown) that houses laser
source 12 and detection unit 20 (in the form of a photomultiplier
tube), and a computer (not shown) for receiving, storing and
displaying data from detection unit 20. Probe 16 includes an x-y
scanning mechanism (not shown) so that light emitted by probe 16
has a point observational field that is scanned in a raster scan so
that an image of the observational field--comprising a portion of a
sample--can be collected and displayed. System 10 therefore also
includes electrical cables for transmitting a scanning signal from
the aforementioned control box to probe 16, for powering the
scanning mechanism.
[0015] In use, laser light from source 12 is transmitted by first
optical fibre 22 to optical coupler 14; a first portion of the
light is coupled into second optical fibre 24 and transmitted to
probe 16. A second portion of the light is coupled into third
optical fibre 26 and transmitted to power monitor 18. Probe 16 is
adapted to be manipulated manually and placed against a sample to
be imaged confocally. Before or during such imagining, the power
deposited onto the sample can be monitored with power monitor 18
and the known ratio between the power coupled by optical coupler 14
into second fibre 24 and that into third fibre 26. Light returned
confocally by the sample and collected by probe 16 is transmitted
back to optical coupler 14 and a portion of that return light is
then coupled into fourth or return optical fibre 28 and transmitted
to detection unit 20. An image can then be constructed from the
light detected by detection unit 20 and the aforementioned scanning
signal, as the latter allows the origin within the sample of the
return light to be ascertained. All the optical fibres 22, 24, 26,
28 are single moded at the wavelength of laser source 12, though in
some embodiments few- or multi-moded fibre may be used for fourth
optical fiber 28.
[0016] Probe 16 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, and
comprises a rigid steel housing 30 with a distal tip 32 adapted to
be placed gently into contact with the sample. Housing 30 houses
the terminal portion of second optical fibre 24, the scanning
mechanism for scanning the exit tip of second optical fibre 24, and
an optical train for receiving the scanned light from the exit tip
of second optical fibre 24 and focusing it onto or into the
sample.
[0017] System 10 is configured to be used with an operating
microscope as is illustrated schematically at 40 in FIG. 4. In use,
a macroscopic visualization apparatus in the form of operating
microscope 42 is supported by arm 44 above a subject 46, and
defines an optical corridor 48 into an access corridor 50 created
in the subject 46 to provide access to a site or sample 52 under
examination. Probe 16, once in position against sample 52, can be
viewed with operating microscope 42.
[0018] Probe 16 is adapted to allow easy fine control of its distal
tip 32 by manual 15 manipulation of a proximal portion 54 while
distal tip 32 is viewed by operating microscope 42, without probe
16 significantly obstructing optical corridor 48. Probe 16 is thus
adapted to be supported comfortably by a user for accessing sample
52 through access corridor 50, and--referring to FIG. 2--has an
insertable and essentially straight distal insertion portion 56
with a length 1 of 75 to 205 mm (and, in the illustrated
embodiment, approximately 110 mm) and an outside diameter of
approximately 6.6 mm. Proximal portion 54 of probe 16 and insertion
portion 56 are coupled by a curved portion 58, which provides
approximately a 45.degree. bend between those two portions, so that
the angle .theta. between proximal portion 54 and insertion portion
56 is approximately 135.degree.. Curved portion 58 allows distal
tip 32 of probe 16 to be placed at sample 52 with manually
manipulated proximal portion 54 held just outside access corridor
50, without proximal portion 54 being in optical corridor 48.
Curved portion 58 thus allows the user to have a line of sight
through operating microscope 42 along insertion portion 56 of probe
16 that is unobstructed by the user's hands.
[0019] In use, insertion of probe 16 into access corridor 50 is
accomplished while operating microscope 42 is in place over access
corridor 50 and, therefore, probe 16 is dimensioned to fit within
the available working distances. For example, for a operating
microscope 42 set at a 500 mm working distance and 35 arranged to
focus on the deepest structures in an access corridor 50 of 200 mm
depth, probe 16 should have a minimum reach of just over 200 mm
(and, in practice, no less than 205 mm), provided by insertion
portion 56. However, this leaves an access working distance (i.e.
between subject 46 and operating microscope 42) d of only 300 mm.
Hence, insertion portion 56 (of .gtoreq.205 mm), curved portion 58,
proximal portion 54 and cable relief 60 should preferably be
accommodated by this 300 mm, that is, have a "working length" (i.e.
length in a direction parallel to insertion portion 56) of 300 mm.
This defines the longest probe dimensions generally usable in this
scenario.
[0020] In applications where higher magnifications of operating
microscope 42 are employed, probe 16 should accommodate shorter
working distances. This may 10 involve working at a distance of 200
mm from sample 52, with sample 52 up to 70 mm deep. In this
situation the minimum length of insertion portion 56 would be 75 mm
and the total length of probe 16 less than 125 mm to allow probe 16
to be located in the working distance of 125 mm between the subject
46 and operating microscope 42.
Thus the dimensions of probe 16 comprise or depend on the
following: [0021] 1) insertion portion 56: 75 mm to 205 mm; [0022]
2) working length L measured in direction of insertion portion 56:
125 mm to 300 mm; [0023] 3) handheld, proximal portion 54, is
adapted to sit at a comfortable angle for the position of the
user's hand (extending from the bridge between the thumb and index
finger to the tips of thumb and index finger); [0024] 4) angle
.theta. provided by curved portion 58: between 120.degree. and
150.degree. (and preferably between 130.degree. and 140.degree.,
and in this embodiment approximately 135.degree.) 25 between
insertion portion 56 and handheld, proximal portion 54; [0025] 5)
the combined length c of proximal portion 54 and the outer surface
of curved portion 58 (together being that part of probe 16 likely
to be manipulated by the user during use), in a direction parallel
with proximal portion 54, should not be less than the length
required for the user to grip probe 16 along this combined length
with a minimal number of fingers, while leaving a clear line of
sight along the insertion portion 56; this minimum length is
estimated to be about 59 mm; [0026] 6) combined length c depends on
the balance of probe 16 and the available working space: probe 16
should not be unduly heavy in its balance point in respect to the
bend; it is estimated that combined length c should not be greater
than 75% of the length of the insertion portion 56.
[0027] In addition, probe 16 is provided with orientation marking
on insertion portion 56, close to distal tip 32, to allow
orientation of the ultimate image relative to the field visualized
by operating microscope 42. The orientation marking, in the present
embodiment, comprises a dot 62 close to distal tip 32, representing
"up" in the microscopic field. In other embodiments, however, the
orientation 5 marking comprises: [0028] 1) a plurality of visually
distinguishable dots distributed around insertion portion 56;
[0029] 2) axially oriented stripes indicating each quadrant
("north/south/east/west" markings); [0030] 3) nearly radial
markings oriented at an angle to the axis of the scope with the
angle being different in different quadrants so that observation
from any side enables recognition of which side is being viewed;
[0031] 4) colour coded markings (such as a plurality of dots,
stripes or radial markings) to enhance the differences between
different quadrants. The orientation marking may also comprise any
combination of these that serves to allow the identification of the
orientation of probe 16.
[0032] System 10 orients its output of images collected with probe
16 to correspond to the normal field of view of operating
microscope 42, by aligning the "up" direction in that field of view
(i.e. typically away from the user) and the top of an image
collected with probe 16 when probe 16 is held in a relaxed, neutral
manner. Hence, "up" in the confocal image is oriented so that
advancing the arm in the direction of the user's forearm with
straight wrist will move probe 16 "up" relative to the image.
Swinging the arm right from the elbow with straight wrist would
move probe 16 right relative to the displayed image, etc.
[0033] The optical path for the left and right eye through
operating microscope 42 defines a coordinate system for
up/down/left/right orientation of the user. The integrated camera
of operating microscope 42 can thus be used to measure the outer
orientation of probe 16 according to this coordinate system. The
orientation of an image generated by system 10 can then be
transformed to be correctly oriented to the coordinate system of
operating microscope 42. This can be done by rotating the
endoscopic image, so that up/down/right/left 35 directions coincide
with the coordinate system of operating microscope 42.
Alternatively, the image orientation of the endoscopic image can be
adjusted to the coordinate system of the microscope by transforming
the input signals for the scanning mechanism of system 10, that is,
by rotating the two axes of the scanning mechanism.
[0034] Modifications within the scope of the invention may be
readily effected by those 5 skilled in the art. It is to be
understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the
particular embodiments described by way of example hereinabove.
[0035] In the claims that follow and in the preceding description
of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise owing
to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise"
or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an
inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated
features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the invention. Further, any
reference herein to prior art is not intended to imply that such
prior 15 art forms or formed a part of the common general
knowledge.
* * * * *