# US 9,435,956 B1 · Spectroscopic imaging probes, devices, and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,956 B1 - Document ID: US9435956B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/587,784 - Filed: 2014-12-31 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-10-28 - Assignees: LightLab Imaging, Inc. - Applicants: LightLab Imaging, Inc. - Inventors: Chenyang Xu; Joseph M. Schmitt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435956B1 ## CPC - G02B 6/264: {with optical elements between opposed fibre ends which perform a function other than beam splitting (having lens focusing means G02B6/32; utilising prism or grating G02B6/34)} - A61B 5/0066: {Optical coherence imaging} - A61B 5/0075: {by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy (A61B5/0071 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/0084: {for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters (A61B5/1459 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/00: Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings - G02B 6/26: Optical coupling means (G02B6/36, G02B6/42 take precedence) - G02B 6/262: {Optical details of coupling light into, or out of, or between fibre ends, e.g. special fibre end shapes or associated optical elements} - G02B 6/4214: {the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device (G02B6/4246 takes precedence)} - H04B 10/0775: {Performance monitoring and measurement of transmission parameters} - G02B 6/3604: {Rotary joints allowing relative rotational movement between opposing fibre or fibre bundle ends} - G02B 6/4206: {Optical features (G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence)} - G02B 6/4215: {the intermediate optical elements being wavelength selective optical elements, e.g. variable wavelength optical modules or wavelength lockers (G02B6/4246 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/4287: {Optical modules with tapping or launching means through the surface of the waveguide (G02B6/2852, G02B6/4286 take precedence)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract In part, the invention relates to a single clad fiber to multi-clad optical fiber connector for use in applying excitation light to a sample and obtaining reflected light from the sample. The connector can include a dual clad optical fiber portion and a single clad optical fiber portion in optical communication with the dual clad optical fiber portion. In one embodiment, a core of the dual clad optical fiber portion and a core of the single clad optical fiber portion have substantially similar indices of refraction. In one embodiment, excitation light is propagated by the core of the dual clad optical fiber. Further, in one embodiment, light reflected by the sample is propagated by the first cladding layer of the dual clad optical fiber portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optical system comprising: a single clad to multi-clad optical fiber connector comprising a dual clad optical fiber portion, the dual clad optical fiber portion comprising a first core portion, a first cladding layer adjacent the first core portion, and a second cladding layer adjacent the first cladding layer, the first cladding layer and the second cladding layer having lower refractive indices than the first core portion; and a single clad optical fiber portion in optical communication with the dual clad optical fiber portion, the single clad optical fiber portion comprising a second core portion and a first cladding layer adjacent the second core portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optical system of claim 1 wherein the single clad optical fiber portion comprises an outer surface and has a longitudinal axis, the outer surface defining an emission region wherein light propagating in the first cladding layer exits the emission region at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optical system of claim 1 further comprising: a light source in optical communication with the single clad optical fiber portion; a probe in optical communication with the dual clad optical fiber portion; and a detector in optical communication with the single clad to multi-clad optical fiber connector, wherein the detector detects light reflected by a sample and ejected by the first cladding layer of the dual clad optical fiber portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The optical system of claim 3 further comprising: an OCT subsystem; and a beam splitter/combiner, the beam splitter/combiner in the optical path between the light source and the probe and in the optical path between the OCT subsystem and the probe, wherein light from the OCT subsystem and light from the light source are combined prior to being transmitted to the probe. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The optical system of claim 3 further comprising an optical coupler for coupling light from the light source into the second core portion of the single clad optical fiber portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The optical system of claim 5 further comprising a rotatable optical coupler in the optical path between the optical coupler for coupling light from the light source into the second core portion of the single clad optical fiber portion and the probe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The optical system of claim 6 wherein the rotatable optical coupler in the optical path between the optical coupler for coupling light from the light source into the second core of the single clad optical fiber portion and the probe is positioned adjacent the optical coupler. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The optical system of claim 6 wherein the rotatable optical coupler is in the optical path between the optical coupler for coupling light from the light source into the second core portion of the single clad optical fiber portion and the probe is positioned within the optical path defined by the single clad fiber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The optical system of claim 6 wherein the rotatable optical coupler in the optical path between the optical coupler for coupling light from the light source into the second core portion of the single clad optical fiber portion and the probe is positioned within the optical path defined by the double clad fiber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The optical system of claim 6 wherein the rotatable optical coupler in the optical path between the optical coupler for coupling light from the light source into the second core portion of the single clad optical fiber portion and the probe is a part of the single clad to multi-clad optical fiber connector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3) The optical system of claim 3 further comprising an optical coherence tomography probe having a reflector configured for directing light from the core to the sample and receiving light from the sample into the first cladding layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11 further comprising a rotatable optical coupler in the optical path between the light source and the probe and wherein the probe rotates. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The optical system of claim 11 further comprising an optical coherence tomography subsystem configured to receive (i) light or (ii) a signal derived from light returning along the core from the sample. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The optical system of claim 1 wherein the second core portion and the first core portion have substantially similar indices of refraction and together form a core, and wherein the first core portion of the dual clad optical fiber is configured to propagate excitation light to a sample, and wherein the first cladding layer of the dual clad optical fiber portion is configured to propagate in the first cladding layer light scattered from the sample. ### Claim 15 A method of collecting optical data from a sample comprising: transmitting light in an optical fiber core having a first index of refraction to the sample; receiving light scattered from the sample; transmitting scattered light from the sample having a first mode in the optical fiber core; transmitting scattered light from the sample having a second mode in a first cladding layer having a second index of refraction; generating an optical coherence tomography image using the scattered light from the sample having the first mode; and collecting spectroscopic data using the scattered light from the sample having the second mode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, further comprising a processor and memory, the memory comprising non-transitory instructions that when executed cause the processor to: generate an optical coherence tomography image using the scattered light from the sample; collect spectroscopic data using the scattered light from the sample; and display the optical coherence tomography image with the spectroscopic data overlaid on the optical coherence tomography image. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein the scattered light having a first mode and the scattered light having a second mode are transmitted coaxially in a fiber core and a first cladding layer, respectively. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein the step of transmitting light in a first material having a first index of refraction to the sample further comprises the step of rotating the first material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein the scattered light having a second mode is transmitted in a first cladding layer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of terminating a second cladding layer such that the scattered light having a second mode exits the first cladding layer at an angle before reaching the second detector. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein the optical coherence tomography image is a 3-D image and the spectroscopy data is a color representation of the sample. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of calibrating for collection efficiency such that the optical coherence tomography image is in focus.