17.12.2024 Dr. Karnowski developed expertise in fiber imaging probes during his postdoctoral research at the University of Western Australia. He continued this line of research through the NAWA Polish Returns project, which was integrated into the broader ICTER research initiatives.
Our team proposed an innovative design for imaging probes that strategically combines the advantages of previous probe technologies. These GRIN-Ball-lens probes (GBLP) demonstrate superior performance, particularly in terms of working distance, when compared to traditional GRIN-fiber probes (GFP) and ball-lens probes (BLP). A key breakthrough of this design is the ability to fabricate probes that are at least twice smaller in diameter without compromising optical performance.
Through meticulous research and development, we have cultivated expertise in probe fabrication that offers unprecedented flexibility. This includes creating probes with varying ball lens sizes and exploring different ball lens materials with distinct refractive indices. This versatility in probe design opens up a wide range of potential applications across multiple research domains.
The adaptability of our GRIN-Ball-lens probes suggests promising future investigations in fields such as:
- Biomedical imaging
- Microscopy
- Endoscopic technologies
- Minimally invasive diagnostic techniques
We are particularly excited about exploring these potential applications in the near future, anticipating that our novel probe design could significantly advance imaging capabilities in various scientific and medical contexts.
Text: Karol Karnowski, PhD, Acting IDoc Leader
Project team:
Karol Karnowski
Related funding: NAWA – Polish Returns, NCN – Miniatura.
References:
- K. Karnowski, G. Untracht, M. Hackmann, O. Cetinkaya, D Sampson, “Superior Imaging Performance of All-Fiber, Two-Focusing-Element Microendoscopes,” IEEE Photonics Journal, 14 (5), 1-10 (2022)
- G. Untracht, K. Karnowski D. D. Sampson, “Imaging the small with the small: Prospects for photonics in “micro-endomicroscopy for minimally invasive cellular-resolution bioimaging,” APL Photonics, 6 (6), pp. 060901, (2021)
- M. J. Hackmann, A. Cairncross, J. G. Elliot, S. Mulrennan, K. Nilsen, B. R. Thompson, Q. Li, K. Karnowski, D. D. Sampson, R. A. McLaughlin, B. Cense, A. L. James, P. B. Noble, “Quantification of smooth muscle in human airways by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography requires correction for perichondrium,” American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, 326:3, L393-L408 (2024)
