Low cost extended depth of field optical probes
AssigneeNinePoint Medical, Inc.
InventorsMatthew A. Sinclair, Narissa Y. Chang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extended depth of field optical probe includes a lens; and a spacer positioned adjacent the lens, the spacer and lens are configured to produce a plurality of waists at a plurality of working distances by varying at least one of an index of refraction of adjacent optical components of the spacer and a physical geometry of a surface of the probe, and the working distance of a first waist is greater than 0.
Claims20
An extended depth of field optical probe, comprising:
- a lens;
- and
- a spacer positioned adjacent the lens,
- wherein the spacer and lens are configured to produce a plurality of waists at a plurality of working distances by varying at least one of an index of refraction of adjacent optical components of the spacer and a physical geometry of a surface of the probe, and
- wherein the working distance of a first waist is greater than 0.
An extended depth of field optical probe, comprising:
- a mounting portion to mount an optical fiber;
- a beam expander positioned in a path of an optical beam of the optical probe configured to expand the optical beam;
- and
- a lens positioned in the path of the optical beam of the optical probe configured to focus the optical beam,
- wherein the beam expander is configured to change an optical path length at different portions of the optical beam producing a plurality of waists at a plurality of working distances, and
- wherein the working distance of a first waist is greater than 0.
A method for generating multiple waists and an extended depth of field by an optical probe, comprising the steps of:
- modifying at least one portion of a light traveling along a light path to change an optical path length of the modified portion of light and produce a plurality of waists at a plurality of working distances and having distinct optical path lengths,
- wherein the working distance of a first waist is greater than 0.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.