US 11,112,232 B2 · Apparatus and methods for mirror tunnel imaging device and for providing pseudobessel beams in a miniaturized optical system for imaging

Abstract

Exemplary apparatus and method are provided for illuminating a sample. With such exemplary apparatus and/or method, it is possible to, using at least one source arrangement, provide at least one first electro-magnetic radiation. Using an optical system of an optics arrangement, it is possible to receive the first electro-magnetic radiation(s), and modifying the at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to be at least one second electro-magnetic radiation so as to be forwarded to the sample. Further, with the optical system, it is possible to extend the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation into or across the sample for a distance of at least 2 times the Raleigh range of a Gaussian beam when the optics arrangement and the sample are stationary with respect to one another. Additionally, using the optical system, it is possible to control a placement of a focus of the at least one second electro-magnetic radiation on or in the sample.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An apparatus for illuminating a sample in an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, comprising:

a first optical waveguide which emits light at a distal end thereof;
a second optical waveguide which receives the light from the distal end of the first optical waveguide and emits the light toward a lens,
the emitted light comprising a first beam and at least a second beam,
the first beam being transmitted toward the lens without being internally reflected within the second optical waveguide, and
the second beam being internally reflected within the second optical waveguide before being transmitted toward the lens;
and
the lens being configured to direct the first beam and the second beam toward the sample,
the first beam forming a first beam waist at a first distance from the lens, and
the second beam forming a second beam waist at a second distance from the lens different from the first distance.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/796,103Filed 20 Feb 2020 · continuation

Priority

16 Sep 2015

Published

US 2020/0217642 A19 Jul 2020

Granted

7 Sep 2021

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

G01B 9/02035
Characterised by particularly shaped beams or wavefronts: shaping the focal point, e.g. elongated focus
A61B 5/0066
Arrangements for scanning: optical coherence imaging
A61B 5/0084
Adapted for particular medical purposes: for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters
G01B 9/02038
Characterised by particularly shaped beams or wavefronts: shaping the wavefront, e.g. generating a spherical wavefront

Family

Application62/219,228Us provisional application · filed 16 Sep 2015

Application62/332,240Us provisional application · filed 5 May 2016

PCT/US2016/052137Parent of this continuation · filed 16 Sep 2016

US 2020/0217642 A1Pre-grant publication · published 9 Jul 2020

Application15/760,910Parent of this continuation

US 10,584,954 B2Parent of this continuation

US 2018/0259317 A1Published application

US 11,112,232 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Apparatus and methods for mirror tunnel imaging device and for providing pseudobessel beams in a miniaturized optical system for imaging

Life of this patent

Apparatus and methods for mirror tunnel imaging device and for providing pseudobessel beams in a miniaturized optical system for imaging

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24