RESEARCH INTERESTS
Infrared wireless charging
We invented a novel wireless optical power transfer (WOPT) system using angular dispersion and laser cavity resonance. Here, we use semiconductor light source and cost-effective receivers. In the transmitter, a diffraction grating spatially disperses the broadband light from a semiconductor optical amplifier. Receiving units spread across a wide field of view are embedded with retroreflecting beam splitters that reflect the incident beam back to the transmitter, thereby completing multiple resonant cavities. Retroreflectors enable a user-friendly alignment and tap power from the resonating cavity, supplying optical power. . Depending on the retroreflector power split ratio, a portion of laser power is transmitted to the device that needs power. If hazard-prone obstacles interrupt the line of sight, a built-in safety mechanism reduces the power emitted from the transmitter. A lot of research activities are on-going. We also plan to make a prototype system which provides a power of 500 mW (up to 3 W) to multiple users. We expect that the proposed WOPT system will pave the way for providing a solution to remote power delivery systems.
High speed & resolution OCT
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive, light-based imaging modality that captures real-time 2D cross-sectional and 3D volumetric images with micron scale resolution. OCT has been widely adapted for many clinical applications such as ophthalmology and dermatology owing to its non-contact, high resolution imaging. Advances in high speed wavelength swept sources and miniaturized flexible optical endoscopes or catheters have improved the clinical applications of endoscopic OCT, such as the gastrointestinal tract, small intestine, bile duct, and coronary artery. Since depth-resolved micro-scale mapping covers a large tissue structure, in-vivo endoscopic OCT imaging requires fast beam scanning of an endoscope or a catheter. In general, a catheter consists of a single mode fiber with a micro-lens, a torque cable, and a protective sheath. For intravascular OCT imaging, the fiber probe inside the sheath needs to be rotated and pulled back at the same time. In catheterization labs, a commercially available catheter is typically rotated at a rate of 100–180 revolutions per second and pulled back at a velocity speed of 20–40 mm. Here, we are interested in developing a high resolution/speed functional swept source OCT system including a new type of wavelength swept laser.
-The first in vivo intravascular OCT imaging of swine we performed on 10th of July, 2019-
Extended DOF & ultrafast rotary junction
Catheter-based intracoronary OCT examinations may give direct clues to coronary artery disease. To acquire OCT images of coronary artery, a catheter is pulled back at a velocity of 20 mm/s while it rotates 100 revolutions per second. In this reserach, we are intersted in developing a safe, cost-effective, high transverse resolution optical imaging probe with enhanced DOF (depth of focus). For this, we design an imaging core through an optical simulator, CODE V, and make a new type of high resolution OCT probes. To achieve high speed OCT imaging, a catheter needs to be rotated rapidly by a rotary junction. Here we propose and develope a new rotary junction using a hollow shaft brushless DC motor.
OCT derived FFR (fractional flow reserve)
FFR is a gold standard method of assessing the functional significance of coronary stenosis and Intravascular OCT has been used for accurate anatomic assessment of coronary stenosis. To provide both assessment of anatomical and functional significance of intermediate coronary stenosis in a cath lab, we develope a practical approach for estimating invasive FFR using OCT lumen contour-based 3D coronary models and computational flow dynamics.
Deep learning in analysis of OCT clinical images
We invent an image analysis method, termed as contour plot analysis, to evaluate the status of stent struts of a coronary artery OCT image at different time points. The goal of this research is to find medical benefits of OCT-guided stenting. By using 3D OCT, we also try to find new clinical parameters associated with coronary artery function. Recent interests also include machine learning based image analysis for extraction of functional information in coronary arteries.
STARTUP INCUBATION
Development and research for business markets
CPS focuses on commercializing technologies about wireless charging and photomedical imaging modalities (mainly OCT systems). To incubate a startup company, we conduct research to validate our ideas in addition to establish business potential. We have applied for important patents regarding cardio-OCT imaging systems and some of them have been granted. We have a prototype intracoronary OCT imaging modality and also set up working environment for developing a catheter.
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