Tolerancing is often an essential step in understanding the manufacturing/assembly requirements of an optical system designed for use in medical devices. The use of optical design software for tolerancing simulations is a valuable tool for identifying the specific manufacturing/alignment errors that can be allowed and their limits. Zemax OpticStudio® is a popular optical design software […]
Produce the most high-fidelity images and/or cleanest data possible Part 3: Types of Image Sensors Camera sensors are common components of medical devices. This blog covers various types of image sensors. Generally, image sensors consist of an array of photosensitive pixels. In typical camera applications, such sensors measure the spatial pattern of light focused by […]
Part 2: Incident Irradiance, Exposure, Gain, and Frame Rate Camera sensors are common components of medical devices. In this blog I will discuss in detail how incident light irradiance, exposure time, gain, and frame rate factor into the use of camera sensors for medical devices.
This blog discusses implementation of optics in microfluidics systems including: Ways that lenses can be implemented on microfluidic cartridges; an overview of optical detection techniques used in microfluidics systems; and methods used in measuring fluorescence on microfluidic platforms. Optical systems play an important role in microfluidic platforms. Such systems are the most reliable apparatuses for […]
Medical Device Camera Sensor Resolution and Pixel Size Camera sensors are key components of video microscopes and endoscopes, fluorescence imagers, X-ray detectors, multiplexed detectors (i.e. detectors that measure/quantify more than one thing at a time), spectrometers, and imaging interferometers. With many options available and many specifications to consider, choosing a camera sensor for a medical […]
This blog provides an overview of optical technologies for point of care (POC) medical devices that have been developed or show promise. Point-of-care (POC) testing is diagnostic testing conducted at or near the location where a patient is receiving medical care (away from a clinical laboratory). POC diagnostic devices allow for rapid diagnoses immediately following […]
Make a real-time, wavelength-calibrated spectrometer using common household items. Like many others, I’m currently working from home due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Fortunately, a significant portion of my optical engineering work, such as research, modelling and design, can be done without going into the office. On the other hand, I generally avoid going into […]
How to build a breadboard proof-of-concept system It’s advantageous, when possible, for medical techniques to be non-invasive and inexpensive. One method of imaging flow (of blood and other optically scattering media) that meets these criteria is Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI).
Over many years of working in optics labs, I’ve come across a variety of lab practices ranging from admirable to appalling. These practices can have a significant impact both on the quality of data and the efficiency with which it’s collected. Below, some optics lab best practices to help create an optics lab environment that […]