Ultra-small optical probes, imaging optics, and methods for using same
AssigneeLightLab Imaging, Inc.
InventorsEric Swanson, Christopher L. Petersen, Edward McNamara, Ronald B. Lamport, David L. Kelly
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Ultra-small optical probes comprising a single-mode optical fiber and a lens which has substantially the same diameter as the optical fiber. The optical fiber and lens are positioned in a probe housing which is in the form of an insertional medical device such as a guidewire. Connector elements are provided to facilitate the attachment of the probe to an optical system and the quick disconnection of the probe from the optical system. The probe is used to obtain optical measurements in situ in the body of an organism and can be used to guide interventional procedures by a surgeon.
Claims11
An optical imaging probe comprising:
- a single-mode optical fiber including a core having a first diameter and a cladding layer having a second diameter, the single-mode optical fiber conveying an optical beam at the first diameter;
- and
- a graded index optical fiber fixedly and optically coupled to the single-mode optical fiber and having substantially the same diameter as the second diameter of the cladding layer, the graded index optical fiber expanding the optical beam from the first diameter to a desired diameter while traversing the graded index optical fiber and focusing the optical beam to form a spot size smaller than 100 μm in diameter at a working distance greater than 1 mm from an end of the graded index optical fiber.
A method of measuring the optical properties of a test sample in situ, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a single-mode optical fiber including a core having a first diameter and a cladding layer having a second diameter, the single-mode optical fiber being adapted to convey an optical beam at the first diameter;
- providing a graded index optical fiber fixedly and optically coupled to the single-mode optical fiber and having substantially the same diameter as the second diameter of the cladding layer;
- transmitting the optical beam at the first diameter to the graded index optical fiber via the single-mode optical fiber;
- expanding the optical beam from the first diameter to a desired diameter while traversing the graded index optical fiber;
- focusing, by the graded index optical fiber, the optical beam to form a spot size smaller than 100 μm in diameter at a working distance greater than 1 mm from an end of the graded index optical fiber, the working distance corresponding to a location of the test sample in situ;
- and
- detecting light reflected back from the test sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.