Application of digital micromirror devices (DMD) in biomedical instruments

Abstract

There is an ongoing technological revolution in the field of biomedical instruments. Consequently, high performance healthcare devices have led to remarkable economic developments in the medical hardware industry. Until now, nearly all optical bio-imaging systems are based on the 2-dimensional imaging chip architecture. In fact, recent developments in digital micromirror devices (DMDs) are gradually making their way from conventional optical projection displays into biomedical instruments. As an ultrahigh-speed spatial light modulator, the DMD may offer a range of new applications including real-time biomedical sensing or imaging, as well as orientation tracking and targeted screening. Given its short history, the use of DMD in biomedical and healthcare instruments has emerged only within the past decade. In this paper, we first provide an overview by summarizing all reported cases found in the literature. We then critically analyze the general pros and cons of using DMD, specifically in terms of response speed, stability, accuracy, repeatability, robustness, and degree of automation, in relation to the performance outcome of the designated instrument. Particularly, we shall focus our discussion on the use of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based devices in a set of representative instruments including the surface plasmon resonance biosensor, optical microscopes, Raman spectrometers, ophthalmoscopes, and the micro stereolithographic system. Finally, the prospects of using the DMD approach in biomedical or healthcare systems and possible next generation DMD-based biomedical devices are presented.

A review on fabrication of 3D printed biomaterials using optical methodologies for tissue engineering applications

“…Unlike process-directed fabrication techniques which lack control over the construction of scaffolds, and the interaction of cells and porosity, UV light or laser-based computer-assisted techniques using DMD chip with a resolution of 1920 × 1080, are capable of precise and user-defined fabrication of the internal architecture at the cellular and subcellular level. 49 Endothelial cells encapsulated gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel constructs which do not cause any cytotoxic and non-biocompatible issues with micro-patterning methods, have been used to fabricate microstructures. 50 Scaffolds of porous woodpile rectangular and hexagonal structures were fabricated by immersing the XYZ platform in the prepolymer in liquid state and selectively irradiating it, by a focused UV laser light having intensity of 50 mW/cm 2 , for a time duration of 20 s, through an optical lens (UV grade), which resulted in solidification of the irradiated sections.…”

“…Applications of DMD in various biomedical instruments have been discussed in detail. 49 Based on the advantages of DMD such as response speed, repeatability, accuracy and stability, its application can be seen in various biomedical instruments such as biological microscopy, optical diffraction tomography, structured illumination microscopy, digital holography, microtomography, spectrometers, ophthalmoscope surface plasmon resonance, and micro stereo-lithography. 44 Figure 2 is a schematic representation which shows bio-fabrication process using DMD to form layers of microstructures.…”

Temporal and spectral dispersion of an optical source using a micromirror array-based streak camera

“…114108-1 November 2022 • Vol. 61 (11) scanning component in a LIDAR system. 20,21 In each case, a laser pulse was synchronized with the mirror transition and delayed so as to reflect at specific angles.…”

“…Applications include spectroscopy, 3 switching, 4 single pixel remote sensing, 5 laser glare suppression, 6 beam steering, 7 wavelength measurement, 8 and coherence measurement 9 to name a selection. The DMD has also found applications in biophotonics 10 and healthcare 11 . A popular area of application within physical sciences is that of wavefront control with the DMD able to produce mode structures leading to Laguerre–Gaussian and Hermite–Gaussian beams, 12 Orbital angular momentum vortex beams, 13 and wavefront control using Zernike modes for atmospheric wavefront generation 14 or improving beam quality 15 .…”

“…The DMD has also found applications in biophotonics 10 and healthcare. 11 A popular area of application within physical sciences is that of wavefront control with the DMD able to produce mode structures leading to Laguerre-Gaussian and Hermite-Gaussian beams, 12 Orbital angular momentum vortex beams, 13 and wavefront control using Zernike modes for atmospheric wavefront generation 14 or improving beam quality. 15 Several review articles describe the function of the DMD and how to describe its optical field using diffraction theory.…”