Common path frequency domain optical coherence reflectometry/tomography device

A common path frequency domain optical coherence tomography device, specified by a longitudinal range of interest having a proximal boundary and a distal boundary, and at least partially overlapping with an associated sample, comprising:

• a source of optical radiation;
• a portion of optical fiber with predetermined optical properties optically coupled with the source of optical radiation, the portion of optical fiber with predetermined optical properties adapted for producing two eigen modes of the optical radiation propagating therethrough with a predetermined optical path length difference;
• an optical fiber probe adapted for forming and delivering an optical radiation beam to an associated sample, the optical fiber probe comprising a proximal part, a distal part, and an optical fiber extending therethrough, the optical fiber including a tip placed in the distal part of the optical fiber probe, the tip of the optical fiber being adapted for performing a function of a reference reflector;
• a directional element adapted for directing two replicas of the optical radiation, propagating with an optical path length difference generally equal to the predetermined optical path length difference for the two eigen modes of the optical radiation, to the proximal part of the optical fiber probe, the directional element being optically coupled with the optical fiber probe and with the portion of optical fiber with predetermined optical properties;
• means adapted for changing relative positions of the optical radiation beam being delivered to an associated sample, and an associated sample;
• a frequency domain optoelectronic registering unit including a data processing and displaying unit, and optically coupled with the directional element;
• wherein the tip of the optical fiber of the optical fiber probe is further adapted for producing a combination optical radiation by combining an optical radiation returning from an associated sample with a reference optical radiation reflected from the tip of the optical fiber;
• wherein the optical fiber probe is further adapted for delivering the combination optical radiation to the directional element, and
• wherein the directional element is further adapted for directing the combination optical radiation to the frequency domain optoelectronic registering unit.