Spectroscopic catheter system with widely tunable source and method of operation
AssigneeInfraReDx, Inc.
InventorJeffrey A. Korn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laser system for a spectroscopic catheter system uses multiple semiconductor gain media having gain peaks at different wavelengths. The output from the gain media is preferably coupled into single-mode fiber using conventional opto-electronic packaging techniques. As a result, the laser oscillator source has a spectral output that is wider than the gain bandwidth of a single medium to enable it to access the entire spectrum of interest, which is presently in the near infrared. Moreover, the semiconductor gain media can be packaged in a stable and controlled environment for long-term performance.
Claims42
A widely tunable source spectroscopic catheter system, comprising:
- a catheter for insertion into a patient to transmit light to the patient;
- a tunable laser source including:
- at least two semiconductor optical amplifier chips,
- at least one frequency selective tunable element for controlling a frequency of light fed back into the at least two semiconductor optical amplifier chips, and
- an output coupler for coupling light from the at least two semiconductor optical amplifier chips into the catheter;
- and
- at least one detector for detecting light returning from the patient to perform spectroscopic analysis.
A method for providing tunable frequency light to a patient, the method comprising:
- inserting a catheter into a patient;
- generating light in at least two semiconductor optical amplifier chips;
- controlling a frequency of light fed back into the at least two semiconductor optical amplifier chips;
- and
- coupling light from the at least two semiconductor optical amplifier chips into the catheter.
A widely tunable source, comprising:
- a first pigtailed semiconductor optical amplifier module with a first gain bandwidth;
- a second pigtailed semiconductor optical amplifier module with a second gain bandwidth;
- a frequency selective tunable element coupled to a first pigtail of the first pigtailed semiconductor optical amplifier module and a second pigtail of the second pigtailed semiconductor optical amplifier module, the frequency selective tunable element controlling a frequency of light fed back into the first pigtailed semiconductor optical amplifier module and the second pigtailed semiconductor optical amplifier module;
- an output coupler for coupling light from the first pigtailed semiconductor optical amplifier module and the second pigtailed semiconductor optical amplifier module into an output waveguiding device;
- and
- a controller for controlling the frequency selective tunable element in response to a wavelength of light in the output waveguiding device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.