Rigid endoscopes of the microstructured optical fiber

• Grant number: 16/19017-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: November 01, 2017 - May 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Convênio/Acordo: FINEP - PIPE/PAPPE Grant
• Principal Investigator: Roddy Elky Ramos Gonzáles
• Grantee: Roddy Elky Ramos Gonzáles
• Host Company: Luxtec Sistemas Ópticos Ltda
• City: Campinas
• Associated research grant: 15/01009-7 - Microstructured optical fiber for endoscopy, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/02383-8 - Rigid endoscopes of the microstructured optical fiber, BP.PIPE

Abstract

The manufacture of endoscopes for conventional optical fiber is known, but presents a number of problems and complexities that are extremely difficult to resolve, which in this case need chemical doping to form the necessary difference in refractive index between cladding and core. Flexible endoscopes rely on image transfer through optical fiber bundles, these instruments also known as fiberscopes typically focus light through a miniaturized lens or a gradual lens (GRIN - Gradient Index) these lenses have advantages, but they are difficult to manufacture. The image transmission system for endoscopes, which to this day is done; it is the image transfer type lenses Hopkins or GRIN lenses. In this project it will be done by a small glass rod composed of hundreds of small coherently arranged optical fibers as in a microstructured fiber. In view of these problems a proposal is presented to fabricate and characterize a microstructured optical fiber for endoscopy. Furthermore, with the equipment can also be built fibers for various applications. Comprising optical fibers for: laser medicine, laser for industrial applications, which allows to minimize the risk. The objective of this project is to build an image conductor (microstructured fiber) with higher resolution that will be mounted in a small tube with illumination optical fibers to be introduced into cavities and are able to have their images projected on displays or monitors. The microstructured fiber emerged from a revolution of the concept of optical fibers. In these fibers, the region of the cladding is composed of a complex structure formed by capillaries (air) or rods (other glassy material) periodically ordered. In the central region, or core, breaks this periodicity. This structure "runs" parallel to the fiber core and over its entire length. If the rods composing the structure of the cladding are of the same material as the core, the refractive index of the structure is greater. Thus, the basic principle of total internal reflection can be guided through the whole structure. The microstructured optical fiber manufacturing technique proposed in this project is based on the stack and draw process, this methodology is used to produce rigid endoscopes with adequate resolution and low cost, favor the introduction of endoscopy systems with single-use or disposable instrument. This microstructured fiber is placed along with conventional lighting fiber in a tube, these conventional fibers leading the light to illuminate the analysis point. The microstructured fiber "will leading" this image to a camera or sensor that can be projected on a screen. The illumination system is done by a light source comprises one or more LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The image capture system is realized by a sensor CCD (charge-coupled device) coupled in microstructured fiber which in turn coupled to a monitor or screen. As a result of this design, it is expected minimally invasive endoscope due to miniaturization produced by the microstructured fiber, being accessible in different cavities. (AU)