Fabrication method for miniaturized imaging gradient index lenses

一种小型化成像梯度折射率透镜的制作方法

• 批准号: 507486-2017
• 负责人: Boudreau, Denis
• 金额: $ 0.63万
• 依托单位: Université Laval
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Engage Plus Grants Program
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=639506
• 关键词: Fabrication; method; miniaturized; imaging; gradient

In just a few years, optogenetics, i.e., the ensemble of techniques that use light to control the function ofgenetically-modified excitable cells (typically neurons) in living tissue, has become a preferred research tool inneuropsychology and neuroscience, as well as a rapidly expanding market with billions of dollars invested inmajor brain-related projects and institutes worldwide. Doric Lenses is one of the main players in this field, withsales growth of 25% per year during the last 5 years. One of Doric's flagship products is a wearableminiaturized fluorescence microscope that allows observation of neural circuitry within freely moving animalssuch as mice. One of the key components of this microscope is a GRIN (gradient-index) relay lens inserted inthe brain tissue. Such lenses are made by an ion exchange technology that is time consuming, difficult tocontrol and currently out of reach for Doric Lenses. During this ENGAGE Plus project, we will continue ourdevelopment and testing of a new fabrication process based on sol-gel chemistry in order to provide GRINpreforms with smoother index profiles. Doric will integrate this fabrication method into its manufacturingprocess for GRIN lenses. In time, it will allow improving the performance of current collimating lenses forlaser diodes and provide high quality lenses for miniature fluorescence microscopes for calcic imaging ofneuronal activity, thereby strengthening Doric's competitive position in the rapidly growingneuroscience-related industry.

在短短几年内，光遗传学，即利用光来控制活体组织中转基因可兴奋细胞（通常是神经元）功能的技术组合，已成为神经心理学和神经科学的首选研究工具，并迅速扩展市场在全球主要的大脑相关项目和机构上投资了数十亿美元。 Doric Lenses 是该领域的主要参与者之一，过去 5 年销售额每年增长 25%。 Doric 的旗舰产品之一是可穿戴的小型荧光显微镜，可以观察自由移动的动物（如小鼠）的神经回路。该显微镜的关键部件之一是插入脑组织中的 GRIN（梯度折射率）中继透镜。此类镜片采用离子交换技术制成，该技术耗时且难以控制，目前多立克镜片无法实现。在这个 ENGAGE Plus 项目中，我们将继续开发和测试基于溶胶-凝胶化学的新制造工艺，以便为 GRIN 预制件提供更平滑的折射率分布。 Doric 将把这种制造方法整合到 GRIN 透镜的制造过程中。随着时间的推移，它将提高当前激光二极管准直透镜的性能，并为用于神经元活动钙成像的微型荧光显微镜提供高质量的透镜，从而加强 Doric 在快速增长的神经科学相关行业中的竞争地位。