Reducing distortion in scanning fiber devices Number:7,522,813 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent Methods of reducing distortion in scanning fiber devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes changing an intensity of light transmitted through a cantilevered optical fiber of a scanning fiber device. The method also includes changing a setpoint temperature for the scanning fiber device based at least in part on the change in the intensity of the light. Other methods, apparatus, systems, and machine-readable mediums are also disclosed.<H distortion, scanning, Reducing, distor, 7522813.html, Patent, pto, 7522813

Title: Reducing distortion in scanning fiber devices

Abstract: Methods of reducing distortion in scanning fiber devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes changing an intensity of light transmitted through a cantilevered optical fiber of a scanning fiber device. The method also includes changing a setpoint temperature for the scanning fiber device based at least in part on the change in the intensity of the light. Other methods, apparatus, systems, and machine-readable mediums are also disclosed.

Patent Number: 7,522,813 Issued on 04/21/2009 to Johnston, et al.

Inventors: Johnston; Richard S. (Sammamish, WA), Melville; Charles David (Issaquah, WA)
Assignee: University of Washington (Seattle, WA)

Appl. No.: 11/973,104

Filed: October 4, 2007

Current U.S. Class: 385/147 ; 385/25

Current International Class: G02B 6/00 (20060101)

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Primary Examiner: Le; Uyen Chau N
Assistant Examiner: Stahl; Mike
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman, LLP

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising: changing an intensity of light transmitted through a cantilevered optical fiber of a scanning fiber device; and changing a setpoint temperature for the scanning fiber device based at least in part on the change in the intensity of the light, wherein the change in the setpoint temperature is operable to substantially reduce a distortion in an image acquired with the scanning fiber device that would otherwise occur due at least in part to the change in the intensity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the change in the setpoint temperature is operable to substantially eliminate the distortion.

3. A method comprising: changing an intensity of light transmitted through a cantilevered optical fiber of a scanning fiber device; changing a setpoint temperature for the scanning fiber device based at least in part on the change in the intensity of the light; and acquiring an image using the scanning fiber device, and wherein acquiring the image comprises vibrating the cantilevered optical fiber within a Q-factor of a resonant frequency.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the change in the setpoint temperature is operable to maintain a temperature of at least one of the cantilevered optical fiber and an adhesive attached to the cantilevered optical fiber substantially constant irrespective of the change in the intensity.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein changing the intensity comprises increasing the intensity, and wherein changing the setpoint temperature comprises decreasing the setpoint temperature.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein changing the intensity comprises decreasing the intensity, and wherein changing the setpoint temperature comprises increasing the setpoint temperature.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining the change in the setpoint temperature based at least in part on a predetermined relationship between different setpoint temperatures and corresponding intensities of the light transmitted through the cantilevered optical fiber.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the change in the setpoint temperature based at least in part on the predetermined relationship comprises determining the change in the setpoint temperature by evaluating at least one equation.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the change in the setpoint temperature based at least in part on the predetermined relationship comprises determining the change in the setpoint temperature based at least in part on at least two pairs of data, each pair of data including a different intensity of light and a corresponding setpoint temperature.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein changing the setpoint temperature comprises gradually changing the setpoint temperature multiple times within a period of not more than several seconds after the intensity is changed.

11. A method comprising: changing an intensity of light transmitted through a cantilevered optical fiber of a scanning fiber device; and changing a setpoint temperature for the scanning fiber device based at least in part on the change in the intensity of the light, wherein the scanning fiber device comprises an endoscope, and wherein the method further comprises: inserting the endoscope into a patient; and acquiring an image of an inside of the patient.

12. An apparatus comprising: an interface to couple with a scanning fiber device; one or more light sources optically coupled with the interface to provide light to the scanning fiber device through the interface; an actuator driver electrically coupled with the interface to provide actuator drive signals to the scanning fiber device through the interface; a setpoint temperature determination unit to determine a setpoint temperature for the scanning fiber device based at least in part on an intensity of the light provided to the scanning fiber device through the interface, wherein the setpoint temperature determination unit is to determine a setpoint temperature that is operable to substantially reduce distortion in an image acquired with the scanning fiber device that would otherwise occur due at least in part to the intensity of the light; and a temperature controller in communication with the setpoint temperature determination unit to receive the determined setpoint temperature, the temperature controller electrically coupled with the interface, the temperature controller to provide one or more temperature control signals that are based at least in part on the determined setpoint temperature to the scanning fiber device through the interface.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the setpoint temperature determination unit is to determine a setpoint temperature that is operable to substantially eliminate the distortion.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising the scanning fiber device coupled with the interface.

15. An apparatus comprising: an interface to couple with a scanning fiber device; one or more light sources optically coupled with the interface to provide light to the scanning fiber device through the interface; an actuator driver electrically coupled with the interface to provide actuator drive signals to the scanning fiber device through the interface, wherein the actuator drive signals are operable to cause an actuator of the scanning fiber device to vibrate a cantilevered optical fiber of the scanning fiber device within a Q-factor of a resonant frequency; a setpoint temperature determination unit to determine a setpoint temperature for the scanning fiber device based at least in part on an intensity of the light provided to the scanning fiber device through the interface; and a temperature controller in communication with the setpoint temperature determination unit to receive the determined setpoint temperature the temperature controller electrically coupled with the interface, the temperature controller to provide one or more temperature control signals that are based at least in part on the determined setpoint temperature to the scanning fiber device through the interface.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising the scanning fiber device coupled with the interface.

17. An apparatus comprising: an interface to couple with a scanning fiber device, wherein the scanning fiber device comprises a scanning fiber endoscope; one or more light sources optically coupled with the interface to provide light to the scanning fiber device through the interface; an actuator driver electrically coupled with the interface to provide actuator drive signals to the scanning fiber device through the interface; a setpoint temperature determination unit to determine a setpoint temperature for the scanning fiber device based at least in part on an intensity of the light provided to the scanning fiber device through the interface; and a temperature controller in communication with the setpoint temperature determination unit to receive the determined setpoint temperature, the temperature controller electrically coupled with the interface, the temperature controller to provide one or more temperature control signals that are based at least in part on the determined setpoint temperature to the scanning fiber device through the interface.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the setpoint temperature determination unit is to determine a setpoint temperature that is operable to maintain a temperature of at least one of a cantilevered optical fiber of the scanning fiber device and an adhesive coupled with the cantilevered optical fiber substantially constant irrespective of a change in the intensity.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the setpoint temperature determination unit is to determine a change in the setpoint temperature that is in an opposite direction to a change in the intensity.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the setpoint temperature determination unit is to determine the setpoint temperature based at least in part on a predetermined relationship between different intensities of light and corresponding setpoint temperatures.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the predetermined relationship comprises at least one equation relating the setpoint temperatures to the intensities.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the predetermined relationship comprises at least two pairs of data, each pair of data including a different intensity of light and a corresponding setpoint temperature.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising the scanning fiber device coupled with the interface.

24. An article of manufacture comprising: a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a machine result in the machine performing operations including: determining a setpoint temperature for a scanning fiber device based at least in part on an intensity of light transmitted through a cantilevered optical fiber of the scanning fiber device, wherein the instructions that when executed by the machine result in the machine determining the setpoint temperature further include instructions that when executed by the machine result in the machine performing operations including: determining a setpoint temperature that is operable to substantially reduce distortion in an image acquired with the scanning fiber device that would otherwise occur due at least in part to the intensity.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 24, wherein the instructions that when executed by the machine result in the machine determining the setpoint temperature further include instructions that when executed by the machine result in the machine performing operations including: determining the setpoint temperature based at least in part on a predetermined relationship between intensities of light transmitted through the cantilevered optical fiber and corresponding setpoint temperatures.

26. The article of manufacture of claim 24, wherein the medium comprises one of a disk and a memory.

27. A method comprising: transmitting a plurality of different intensities of light through a cantilevered optical fiber of a scanning fiber device; and for each of the different intensities, determining a setpoint temperature for the scanning fiber device that is operable to substantially reduce distortion in an image acquired with the scanning fiber device that would otherwise occur due at least in part to a respective one of the different intensities.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein determining the setpoint temperature comprises adjusting the setpoint temperature one or more times for each of the different intensities.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein determining a setpoint temperature for an intensity of the plurality comprises: adjusting the setpoint temperature; acquiring an image with the scanning fiber device while using the intensity and while controlling the scanning fiber device at the setpoint temperature; and examining the image for distortion.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising: determining whether the distortion is sufficiently reduced; and if the distortion is sufficiently reduced, then determining the setpoint temperature as the adjusted setpoint temperature; or if the distortion is not sufficiently reduced, then repeating said adjusting, said acquiring, and said determining.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein determining the setpoint temperature, for each of the different intensities, comprises determining a setpoint temperature that is operable to substantially eliminate the distortion.

32. The method of claim 27, further comprising generating an equation relating the different intensities to the respective determined setpoint temperatures.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the invention pertain to scanning fiber devices. In particular, embodiments of the invention pertain to reducing image distortion in scanning fiber devices by changing setpoint temperatures for the scanning fiber devices based at least in part on changes in intensity of light transmitted through the scanning fiber devices.

2. Background Information

Scanning fiber devices are well known in the arts. The scanning fiber device may include a single, cantilevered optical fiber that may be vibrated and scanned in one or two dimensions in a scan pattern to acquire an image of a target area.

In acquiring an image of the target area, the scanning fiber device may scan an illumination spot through an optional lens system and over the target area in the scan pattern. Backscattered light may be captured, for example by a photosensor, in time series.

In acquiring the image, it is generally desirable to accurately know the position of the optical fiber for each and every point of the scan. Positional inaccuracy may tend to result in distortion of the image acquired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example scanning fiber system, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a particular example of a scanning fiber device, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph of example resonant gain characteristics of a cantilevered optical fiber operated in a first mode of resonance.

FIG. 4 is a block flow diagram of a method of reducing distortion in images acquired with a scanning fiber device by changing a setpoint temperature for the scanning fiber device based at least in part on a change in intensity of light transmitted through a cantilevered optical fiber of the scanning fiber device, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing that a predetermined relationship may be used to determine a change in a setpoint temperature, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block flow diagram of a method of calibrating a scanning fiber device, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a block flow diagram of a detailed example of a method of determining a setpoint temperature for a given intensity of light, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a base station for a scanning fiber image acquisition system, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an article of manufacture including a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions to cause a machine to implement embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example scanning fiber system 100, according to embodiments of the invention. In various embodiments of the invention, the scanning fiber system may take the form of a scanning fiber endoscope, scanning fiber boroscope, scanning fiber microscope, other type of scanning fiber scope, scanning fiber bar code reader, or other scanning fiber image acquisition device known in the art.

As is known, endoscopes represent instruments or devices to be inserted into a patient to acquire images inside a body cavity, lumen, or otherwise look inside the patient. Examples of suitable types of endoscopes include, but are not limited to, bronchoscopes, colonoscopes, gastroscopes, duodenoscopes, sigmoidoscopes, ureteroscopes, sinuscopes, boroscopes, and thorascopes, to name just a few examples.

The scanning fiber system has a two-part form factor that includes a base station 102 and a scanning fiber device 130, although such a two-part form factor is not required. The scanning fiber device is electrically and optically coupled with the base station through one or more cables 118. In particular, the scanning fiber device includes a connector 116 to connect, mate, or otherwise couple with a corresponding connector interface 114 of the base station. Electrical and optical signals may be exchanged between the base station and the scanning fiber device through the connector interface. The scope of the invention is not limited to any particular type of connector or connector interface.

In the following description and claims, the terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

The base station includes one or more light sources 104. The one or more light sources may provide light to the scanning fiber device through the connector interface and a light path 122. Examples of suitable light sources include, but are not limited to, lasers, laser diodes, vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and combinations thereof. In various example embodiments of the invention, the one or more light sources may include a red light source, a blue light source, a green light source, a red-green-blue (RGB) light source, a white light source, an infrared light source, an ultraviolet light source, a high intensity therapeutic laser light source, or a combination thereof. Depending on the particular implementation, the one or more light sources may emit a continuous stream of light, modulated light, or a stream of light pulses. As will explained further below, in embodiments of the invention, different intensities of light may be provided from the one or more light sources to the scanning fiber device.

The base station also includes an actuator driver 106. The actuator driver may provide voltages or other electrical signals, referred to herein as actuator drive signals, to the scanning fiber device through the connector interface and one or more actuator drive signal paths 120. As one example, in one or more embodiments of the invention, the actuator driver may include one or more lookup tables or other data structures stored in a memory that may provide actuator drive signal values. The actuator drive signal values may potentially be adjusted based on ca