Temperature adjustment in scanning beam devices
AssigneeUniversity of Washington
InventorsCharles David Melville, Richard S. Johnston
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Abstract
Scanning beam devices are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a housing having a transparent portion. A scanning optical element may be enclosed within the housing. Light may be directed between the scanning optical element and the transparent portion of the housing. The device may include a temperature adjustment device to adjust a temperature within the housing. Methods of using such apparatus are also disclosed, as are base stations to control the adjustment of the temperature.
Claims23
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing having a transparent portion;
- a scanning optical element enclosed within the housing, wherein light is to be directed between the scanning optical element and the transparent portion of the housing, wherein the scanning optical element comprises:
- a free end portion of an optical waveguide;
- and
- an actuator to move the free end portion of the optical waveguide;
- a temperature adjustment device to adjust a temperature within the housing;
- and
- a temperature sensor device to sense the temperature within the housing.
An apparatus comprising:
- a housing having a transparent portion;
- a scanning optical element enclosed within the housing, wherein light is to be directed between the scanning optical element and the transparent portion of the housing;
- a temperature adjustment device to adjust a temperature within the housing;
- and
- a temperature sensor device to sense the temperature within the housing, wherein the apparatus comprises an endoscope.
A method comprising inserting an apparatus into a patient, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing having a transparent portion;
- a scanning optical element enclosed within the housing. wherein light is to be directed between the scanning optical element and the transparent portion of the housing;
- a temperature adjustment device to adjust a temperature within the housing;
- and
- a temperature sensor device to sense the temperature within the housing.
A method comprising:
- sensing a condition of a scanning optical element;
- maintaining a temperature of the scanning optical element at a substantially constant value by adjusting a temperature of the scanning optical element in response to the sensed condition;
- determining an amount to adjust the temperature by using an algorithm;
- scanning light using the scanning optical element;
- and
- reducing distortion in an image constructed using the scanning optical element by said maintaining the temperature of the scanning optical element at the substantially constant value.
A method comprising:
- sensing a condition of a scanning optical element;
- maintaining a temperature of the scanning optical element at a substantially constant value by adjusting a temperature of the scanning optical element in response to the sensed condition, wherein said adjusting the temperature comprises increasing the temperature by heating;
- reducing fogging of a transparent material in an optical path of light directed through the scanning optical element by increasing the temperature to a value that is not less than a temperature of an environment in which the scanning optical element is deployed, wherein the environment comprises inside a patient, and wherein the temperature ranges from 37-47° C.;
- and
- scanning light using the scanning optical element.
A method comprising:
- inserting a scanning optical element into a patient;
- sensing a condition of the scanning optical element;
- maintaining a temperature of the scanning optical element at a substantially constant value by adjusting a temperature of the scanning optical element in response to the sensed condition;
- and
- scanning light using the scanning optical element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.