Endoscopic Optical Imaging Technologies and Devices for Medical Purposes: State of the Art

Mandeep Kaur,Carlo Menon,Pierre M Lane

doi:10.3390/app10196865

Abstract

The growth and development of optical components and, in particular, the miniaturization of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMSs), has motivated and enabled researchers to design smaller and smaller endoscopes. The overarching goal of this work has been to image smaller previously inaccessible luminal organs in real time, at high resolution, in a minimally invasive manner that does not compromise the comfort of the subject, nor introduce additional risk. Thus, an initial diagnosis can be made, or a small precancerous lesion may be detected, in a small-diameter luminal organ that would not have otherwise been possible. Continuous advancement in the field has enabled a wide range of optical scanners. Different scanning techniques, working principles, and the applications of endoscopic scanners are summarized in this review.

Highlights

The use of optical devices in medical applications has increased in the last few decades
This paper aims to describe the technology behind optical imaging devices used in medical applications
The micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMSs) actuators can mainly be classified into five categories based on their working principle, which are: electrostatic, electrothermal, piezoelectric, electromagnetic, and shape memory alloy actuators

Summary

Introduction

The use of optical devices in medical applications has increased in the last few decades. The imaging of internal organs can either be structure-based or surface-based The former among these is a non-invasive technique used to scan a larger area and quickly localize the abnormality using an X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging technique. These techniques are characterized by high penetration depths; but, the spatial resolution is limited (~50 μm to 2 mm), which hides the finer structure details. To accurately detect a malignant surface, follow-up imaging using surface-based imaging is performed Even though these imaging modalities like endoscopy are invasive in some cases, they provide live and high-resolution imaging (in the micrometer range)

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Conclusion