Research Project
2421906
This proposal is to develop a revolutionary new type of angioscope. The new technology will achieve the following improvements compared to existing angioscopes: 1)a factor of two brighter image, 2)a 67% improvement in resolution, 3)a factor of five greater flexibility, and 4)the ability to make quantitative measurements such as the degree of vascular stenosis. The broad objectives of this project are to fabricate angioscopes of several sizes with this new technology. They will be designed to be plug-in compatible with the already installed base of electronic cameras, illumination systems, and monitors. The specific aims of Phase I are : 1)to fabricate image guides of various resolution, 2)characterize the optical and mechanical properties of these guides, and 3)design an advanced angioscope which incorporates the new technology and has the ability to perform quantification, and spectroscopy. Heart and vascular disease is the single largest killer in the USA. This new approach to angioscopy will provide access to 100% of the vascular tree with unprecedented image quality, and quantification. The proposed technology has never previously been used in endoscopy. The successful demonstration of the feasibility of this technology will have wide ranging implications for innovation in all aspects of medical and industrial imaging. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The world wide market for angioscopes is about $20M. The new technology being proposed will make a substantially better product at a lower cost and permit penetration of this market. Success in the small diameter endoscope market will be expanded into the rest of medical endoscopy and industrial imaging, which is a several hundred million dollar market.
