Adaptive dynamic and biocompatible micro-optics for endoscopy systems using 5D printing

The ADAM project aims to develop compact, biocompatible micro-optics for endoscopes. These can be used in optical biopsy, robot-assisted microsurgery and industrial testing. The combination of stimuli-responsive materials, 5D printing and dual laser excitation for real-time adjustment of focus and spectrum is innovative.

Current lens solutions are rigid and difficult to adjust, i.e. they can only be adjusted mechanically with systems that can hardly be miniaturized. ADAM uses an innovative combination of 5D printing and special polymer materials that react to light or temperature. 5D printing extends the classic four dimensions - three spatial coordinates and time - to include variable material properties that react to temperature and light. This allows the optics to be dynamically adapted by using two lasers to change the shape of the optics and their spectral properties.

Prof. Dr. Jens Bliedtner and Prof. Dr. Robert Brunner from the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena and Prof. Dr. Felix Schacher from the Friedrich Schiller University Jena are involved in the CZS Wildcard project.