Optical probe and an optical tomographic imaging apparatus including the same

An optical probe used for a vascular optical tomographic imaging apparatus, the optical probe comprising:

• an optical fiber having a central axis;
• and
• a lens member made of a cylindrical glass lens having translucency fixed to a tip surface of the optical fiber,
• wherein the cylindrical glass lens has an outer circumferential surface surrounding an extension axis extending the central axis of the optical fiber, a rear end surface intersecting the extension axis, and a tip surface intersecting the extension axis,
• wherein the tip surface of the cylindrical glass lens is a substantially flat surface extending obliquely with respect to the extension axis,
• wherein the rear end surface of the cylindrical glass lens is directly connected to a tip of the optical fiber and optically coupled to the tip of the optical fiber,
• wherein the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical glass lens has, at least in part, a cylindrical surface portion about the extension axis or a cylindrical surface portion about an axis parallel to the extension axis, and
• wherein the optical probe is disposed inside a sheath extending along the central axis of the optical fiber so as to cover the optical fiber and the lens member,
• wherein an inside of the sheath is filled with a gas, and
• wherein light emitted from a tip of the optical fiber is configured to be incident on the tip surface along the extension axis, and light reflected by the tip surface is configured to be emitted from the lens member through the cylindrical surface portion.