Miniature 120-beam coherent combiner with 3D-printed optics for multicore fiber-based endoscopy

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Minimally invasive procedures require miniaturized imaging devices.
• Two-photon imaging offers high resolution but often needs bulky equipment.
• Integrating advanced optics into small form factors is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-efficiency, miniaturized coherent beam source.
• To integrate 3D-printed micro-optics with a fiber bundle for compact imaging.
• To enable ultra-fast two-photon imaging via a nonlinear endoscope.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a coherent beam with 3D-printed micro-optics.
• Integration of optics onto the tip of a multicore fiber bundle.
• Demonstration of the device within a miniaturized nonlinear endoscope.

Main Results:

• Achieved a high-efficiency, miniaturized, ultra-fast coherent beam.
• Successfully integrated micro-optics directly onto a fiber optic tip.
• Device footprint achieved was 180 µm in diameter.
• Enabled two-photon imaging with the compact endoscope.

Conclusions:

• The developed device is suitable for minimally invasive ultra-thin nonlinear endoscopy.
• This technology advances the potential for in-vivo high-resolution imaging.
• Miniaturized optics and coherent beams are key for next-generation endoscopic tools.