Injection molded plastic lens for relay lens system and optical imaging probe

In this study, we designed, fabricated and characterized a plastic lens which can be used as an optical compartment of a relay lens system for a disposable endoscope or an imaging probe for optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM). Cost-effective injection molding using polycarbonate (PC) as a material was conducted for the mass production of the PC lens. The effects of important processing parameters, i.e. mold temperature, injection speed, packing pressure and packing time, on the transcription quality of the PC lenses were investigated quantitatively using the design of experiments based on the Taguchi method. Optical performances, i.e., focal length and birefringence, were evaluated to determine the optimal injection molding condition for the replication. The PC lenses facilitated the feasibility of developing a disposable length-adjustable endoscope comprising a relay lens system. The PC lens was also applied to an optical imaging probe in an OR-PAM for in vivo observation of mouse micro-vasculatures.