US 6,687,010 B1 · Rapid depth scanning optical imaging device

Abstract

An optical imaging device includes a reference scanning unit offering a high signal-to-noise ratio and capable of scanning an object rapidly. An interference optical system can be realized inexpensively. In the optical imaging device, low coherent light passed through an optical coupler and another optical coupler, irradiated from an optical scanner probe, reflected from an observed point in a living tissue, returned to the optical coupler, propagated over a fourth SM optical fiber, and routed to another optical coupler shall be referred to as sample light. Light passed through an optical length variation optical system via the optical coupler and routed to the optical coupler shall be referred to as reference light. At this time, a difference between a delay time undergone by the sample light and a delay time undergone by the reference light is proportional to a difference between an optical length for the sample light and an optical length for the reference light. When the optical length difference falls within a coherence length, the sample light and reference light interfere with each other. An interfering signal is acquired into a computer through detectors, a differential amplifier, a demodulator, and an A/D converter.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An optical probe apparatus producing a signal whose components interfere with each other, comprising:

a soft elongated insertion unit capable of being inserted into a subject;
a low coherent light source;
a light introduction block including a single-mode optical fiber over which low coherent light is irradiated from the distal end of said insertion unit to an object in said subject and over which light reflected from said object is detected;
a covergence block, incorporated in the distal part of said insertion unit, for covering light emitted from said optical fiber at said object and detecting light reflected from said object;
a scanning/irradiating unit for irradiating said low coherent light emitted from said single-mode optical fiber for the purpose of scanning;
and
an interference block for causing reflected light detected over said single-mode optical fiber and reference light supplied from said light source to interfere with each other,
wherein said insertion unit has a sheath that is a thin tubular member;
said scanning/irradiating unit has said light covergence block, which is fused to the distal end of said single-mode optical fiber, and a reflecting surface formed as part of said convergence block enclosed in said sheath;
and
wherein at least said single-mode optical fiber and said convergence block are rotatable together within said sheath for the purpose of scanning.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rapid depth scanning optical imaging device

Life of this patent

Rapid depth scanning optical imaging device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7