US 5,596,987 A · Optical coupler for in vivo examination of biological tissue

Abstract

An optical coupler for in vivo examination of biological tissue includes an optical input port positionable on or near the examined tissue, a first light guide optically coupled to the optical input port and constructed to transmit optical radiation of a visible or infra-red wavelength from a source to the optical input port. The optical coupler also includes an optical detection port, positionable on or near the examined tissue, constructed and arranged to receive radiation that has migrated in the examined tissue from the input port. Connected to the detection port is a detector light guide, constructed to transmit radiation from the detection port to an optical detector. Disposed at least partially around the examined tissue and the input and detection ports is optical medium arranged to couple the radiation to the tissue, limit escape of photons, or account for photons that escaped from the tissue. The optical coupler also enables a precise relative geometry of input and detection ports. The optical coupler may further include a system for altering controllably absorptive or scattering properties of the optical medium. The optical coupler may be further adapted for needle localization procedure, ultrasonic examination of tissue, and may include coils for magnetic resonance imaging of the tissue also examined optically.

Claims37

Dependent claims

An optical coupling system for non-invasively monitoring a region of living tissue, comprising:

an excitation port positionable at the tissue and adapted to introduce optical radiation into the monitored tissue;
an excitation light guide defining an excitation channel for conveying said radiation from a source to said excitation port;
a detection port, positionable at the tissue, adapted to receive radiation that has migrated in the tissue from said excitation port to said detection port, said detection port having a detection area larger than an input area of said excitation port;
a detecting light guide, connected to said detection port, for conveying said radiation from said detection port to an optical detector;
and
optical matching fluid, contained within a flexible optically transparent bag, disposed partially around the monitored tissue and said excitation and detection ports.

3 more elements

An optical coupler for in vivo examination of biological tissue, comprising:

an optical input port of a first selected area directed toward the tissue and a second selected area optically coupled to said first area;
said input port constructed to accept a light beam scanned over said second area and introduce said beam to the tissue at said first area;
an optical detection port of a selected detection area directed toward the tissue;
optical medium disposed at least partially around the tissue and said input and detection ports, said optical medium being also placed between the tissue and said input area of said input port and between the tissue and said detection area of said detection port, said optical medium exhibiting known scattering or absorptive properties;
said optical detection port constructed and arranged to receive radiation that has migrated in an examined volume of the tissue and the optical medium from said input port to said detection port;
and
a detector light guide, optically coupled to said detection port, constructed to transmit said radiation from said detection port to an optical detector.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optical coupler for in vivo examination of biological tissue

Life of this patent

Optical coupler for in vivo examination of biological tissue

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37