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US 6,370,422 B1Granted
Fiber-optic confocal imaging apparatus and methods of use
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsRebecca Richards-Kortum, Colin L. Smithpeter, Brett S. Bowman, Michael R. Descour
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and methods for fiber optic confocal imaging systems. A plurality of fibers are in communication with a scan system that controllably deflects incident radiation into the fibers in a raster pattern. An index matching agent reduces specular reflections from the fibers.
Claims41
A confocal imaging apparatus for analyzing a sample, comprising:
- a radiation source configured to emit incident radiation;
- a scan system in optical communication with said radiation source and configured to controllably deflect said incident radiation;
- a scan lens in optical communication with said scan system and configured to focus said incident radiation;
- a plurality of fibers having a proximate end and a distal end, said proximate end in optical communication with said scan lens and configured to receive said incident radiation focused from said scan lens;
- a proximal index matching agent coupled to said proximate end and configured to reduce specular reflection from said plurality of fibers;
- a distal index matching agent coupled to said distal end and configured to reduce specular reflection from said plurality of fibers;
- a coupling lens in optical communication with said distal end and configured to focus said incident radiation toward said sample to produce secondary radiation from said sample;
- a variable-strength suction agent adjacent to said distal end and configured to adjust a focal plane of said sample by increasing or decreasing an amount of suction;
- and
- a detector in optical communication with said scan system and configured to receive at least a portion of said secondary radiation and to produce a signal corresponding therewith.
7 more elements
A confocal imaging apparatus for analyzing a sample, comprising:
- a laser configured to emit incident radiation;
- a scan system in optical communication with said laser and configured to controllably deflect said incident radiation in a raster pattern;
- a scan lens in optical communication with said scan system and configured to focus said incident radiation in said raster pattern;
- a plurality of fibers having a proximate end and a distal end, said proximate end in optical communication with said scan lens and configured to receive said incident radiation focused from said scan lens in said raster pattern;
- a proximal index matching agent coupled to said proximate end and configured to reduce specular reflection from said plurality of fibers;
- a distal index matching agent coupled to said distal end and configured to reduce specular reflection from said plurality of fibers;
- a coupling lens in optical communication with said distal end and configured to focus said incident radiation in said raster pattern toward said sample to produce secondary radiation from said sample;
- a variable-strength suction agent adjacent to said distal end and configured to adjust a focal plane of said sample by increasing or decreasing an amount of suction;
- and
- a detector in optical communication with said scan system and configured to receive at least a portion of said secondary radiation and to produce a signal corresponding therewith.
7 more elements
An endoscopic confocal imaging apparatus for in vivo analysis of a sample, comprising:
- a confocal system comprising:
- a radiation source configured to emit incident radiation;
- a scan system in optical communication with said laser and configured to controllably deflect said incident radiation;
- a scan lens in optical communication with said scan system and configured to focus said incident radiation;
- a plurality of fibers having a proximate end and a distal end, said proximate end in optical communication with said scan lens and configured to receive said incident radiation focused from said scan lens;
- a detector in optical communication with said scan system;
- and
- an endoscope comprising:
- a proximal index matching fluid reservoir configured to sealably contain a proximal index matching fluid, said reservoir being coupled to said proximal end, and said fluid being configured to reduce specular reflection from said plurality of fibers;
- a distal index matching fluid reservoir configured to sealably contain a distal index matching fluid, said reservoir being coupled to said distal end, and said fluid being configured to reduce specular reflection from said plurality of fibers;
- a coupling lens in optical communication with said distal end and configured to focus said incident radiation toward said sample to produce secondary radiation from said sample detectable by said detector to produce a signal corresponding therewith;
- a variable-strength suction agent adjacent to said distal end and configured to adjust a focal plane of said sample by increasing or decreasing an amount of suction;
- and
- an endoscopic tube configured to house said distal end, said reservoir, said coupling lens, and said suction agent.
11 more elements
A method for confocal imaging of a sample, comprising:
- emitting incident radiation from a radiation source;
- controllably deflecting said incident radiation with a scan system in optical communication with said radiation source;
- focusing said incident radiation with a scan lens in optical communication with said scan system;
- receiving said incident radiation focused from said scan lens with a proximate end of a plurality of fibers, said proximate end in optical communication with said scan lens;
- reducing specular reflection from said plurality of fibers with a proximal index matching agent coupled to a proximal end of said plurality of fibers;
- reducing specular reflection from said plurality of fibers with a distal index matching agent coupled to a distal end of said plurality of fibers;
- focusing said incident radiation toward said sample to produce secondary radiation from said sample with a coupling lens in optical communication with said distal end;
- adjusting a focal plane of said sample by increasing or decreasing an amount of suction from a variable-strength suction agent adjacent to said distal end of said plurality of fibers;
- receiving said secondary radiation focused from said coupling lens with said distal end;
- focusing said secondary radiation through said scan system with said scan lens;
- detecting at least a portion of said secondary radiation with a detector in optical communication with said scan system;
- and
- producing a signal corresponding to said secondary radiation detected by said detector to image said sample.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.