Fiber optic probes for indwelling investigations
AssigneeCirrex Corp.
InventorsMichael Leonard Wach, Eric Todd Marple
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Fiber optic probe assemblies for monitoring light-matter interactions in a medium of interest. The distal end of the probe assemblies can be immersed in the medium for in-situ light delivery and collection. The probe assemblies are particularly useful for indwelling biomedical applications. Design variations include paired fiber configurations and center/ring fiber configurations.
Claims89
A fiber optic probe assembly for monitoring light-matter interactions in a biological medium, comprising:
- a center optical fiber having a center distal end;
- a plurality of ring optical fibers each having a ring distal end;
- the center and ring optical fibers being parallel to each other at their respective distal ends and being adapted for positioning adjacent the biological medium;
- wherein the center distal end is adapted to illuminate the biological medium with light delivered to the center distal end by the center optical fiber;
- and
- wherein the ring distal ends are adapted to collect light from the biological medium at the ring distal ends and to deliver collected light to the ring optical fibers.
A fiber optic probe assembly for monitoring light-matter interactions in a medium, comprising:
- a first optical fiber having a first distal end;
- a second optical fiber having a second distal end;
- the first and second optical fibers being positioned adjoining and parallel to each other at their respective distal ends and being adapted for immersion in the medium;
- wherein the first distal end is adapted to illuminate the medium with light delivered to the first distal end by the first optical fiber;
- and
- wherein the second distal end is adapted to collect light from the medium at the second distal end and to deliver collected light to the second optical fiber.
A fiber optic probe assembly for monitoring light-matter interactions in a medium, comprising:
- a center optical fiber having a center distal end;
- a plurality of ring optical fibers each having a ring distal end;
- the center and ring optical fibers being parallel to each other at their respective distal ends and being adapted for immersion in the medium;
- wherein the center distal end is adapted to illuminate the medium with light delivered to the center distal end by the center optical fiber;
- and
- wherein the ring distal ends are adapted to collect light from the medium at the ring distal ends and to deliver collected light to the ring optical fibers.
A fiber optic probe assembly for monitoring light-matter interactions in a biological medium, comprising:
- a first optical fiber having a first distal end,
- a second optical fiber having a second distal end;
- the first and second optical fibers being positioned adjacent and parallel to each other at their respective distal ends and being adapted for positioning adjacent the biological medium;
- wherein the first distal end is adapted to illuminate the biological medium with light delivered to the first distal end by the first optical fiber;
- and
- wherein the second distal end is adapted to collect light from the biological medium at the second distal end and to deliver collected light to the second optical fiber.
A method for fabricating a fiber optic probe assembly, comprising the steps of:
- forming a bundle of optical fibers including a center optical fiber surrounded by a plurality of ring optical fibers, the ring fibers and the center fibers being mutually parallel at their respective distal ends;
- fusing the bundle of optical fibers together;
- shaping the distal end of the center optical fiber so that it is adapted to illuminate a medium of investigation;
- and
- shaping the ring optical fibers so that they are adapted to collect light from the medium of investigation.
A method for fabricating a fiber optic probe assembly, comprising the steps of:
- forming a pair of optical fibers including a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, the first and second optical fibers being positioned adjoining and parallel to each other at their respective distal ends;
- fusing the pair of optical fibers together;
- shaping the distal end of the first optical fiber so that it is adapted to illuminate a medium of investigation;
- and
- shaping the distal end of the second optical fiber so that it is adapted to collect light from the medium of investigation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.