Laser scanners: from industrial to biomedical applications

Abstract

We present a brief overview of our contributions in the field of laser scanning technologies, applied for a variety of applications, from industrial, dimensional measurements to high-end biomedical imaging, such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Polygon Mirror (PM) scanners are presented, as applied from optical micrometers to laser sources scanned in frequency for Swept Sources (SSs) OCT. Galvanometer-based scanners (GSs) are approached to determine the optimal scanning function in order to obtain the highest possible duty cycle. We demonstrated that this optimal scanning function is linear plus parabolic, and not linear plus sinusoidal, as it has been previously considered in the literature. Risley prisms (rotational double wedges) scanners are pointed out, with our exact approach to determine and simulate their scan patterns in order to optimize their use in several types of applications, including OCT. A discussion on the perspectives of scanning in biomedical imaging, with a focus on OCT concludes the study.

Advancements on galvanometer scanners for high-end applications

“…Other issues still have to be solved to meet the high requirements of high-end biomedical applications such as OCT: the application of 1D and 2D GSs in assemblies such as handheld scanning probes for OCT that have also been completed [43] is such a promising direction of research. The results obtained for GSs are also something to take into account when developing MEMS (with resonant scanners) for handheld or endoscope probes [44,45].…”