Patent US5471237A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5381237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-purpose optical head probe
Assignee: Petrometrix Ltd
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Filing: 1993-08-18
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Granted: 1995-01-10
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Expires: 2013-08-18
Abstract
Abstract An optical probe head for determining the index of refraction of a sample, which is made up of a gradient index lens in contact with the sample, a transmitting optical fiber for inputting radiation into said gradient index lens and a receiving optical fiber. The optical fibers and gradient index lens are aligned so that radiation from the transmitting optical fiber which is reflected from the interface of the gradient index lens and the sample is received by the receiving optical fiber. The probe can, with slight changes, also be used for determining the Raman or fluorescent spectra, for determining the absorption spectrum, and for determining the self-referencing transmission of a sample.
Inventors
- 👤 Ilan Sela
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/41; G01N21/43; G01N21/431; G01N21/25; G01N21/255; G01N21/84; G01N21/85; G01N21/8507; G01N21/31; G01N21/35; G01N21/359; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/65; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
An optical probe head for determining the absolute transmission or absorption of a sample, comprising: (a) a gradient index lens; (b) a mirror placed so as to reflect radiation coming through said gradient index lens back to said gradient index lens through the sample; (c) a moveable partition located between said gradient index lens and said mirror, said partition serving to alternately block and unblock radiation between said mirror and said gradient index lens; (d) at least one transmitting optical fiber for inputting radiation into said gradient index lens; (e) at least one receiving optical fiber, said at least one transmitting optical fiber and said at least one receiving optical fiber being fixedly held relative to said gradient index lens so that said gradient index lens and said optical fibers are aligned such that radiation input into said gradient index lens by said transmitting optical fiber which passes through said gradient index lens and the sample to said mirror is reflected by said mirror through the sample and through said gradient index lens and is received by said at least one receiving optical fiber when said moveable partition is not blocking radiation between said mirror and said gradient index lens and such that, when said moveable partition is blocking radiation between said mirror and said gradient index lens. Radiation input into said gradient index lens by said transmitting optical fiber is reflected from an interface of said gradient index lens and air and is received by said at least one receiving optical fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
An optical probe head for determining the absolute transmission or absorption of a sample, comprising: (a) a gradient index lens; (b) a mirror placed so as to reflect radiation coming through said gradient index lens back to said gradient index lens through the sample; (c) a moveable partition located between said gradient index lens and said mirror, said partition serving to alternately block and unblock radiation between said mirror and said gradient index lens; (d) at least one transmitting optical fiber for inputting radiation into said gradient index lens; (e) at least one receiving optical fiber, said at least one transmitting optical fiber and said at least one receiving optical fiber being fixedly held relative to said gradient index lens so that said gradient index lens and said optical fibers are aligned such that radiation input into said gradient index lens by said transmitting optical fiber which passes through said gradient index lens and the sample to said mirror is reflected by said mirror through the sample and through said gradient index lens and is received by said at least one receiving optical fiber when said moveable partition is not blocking radiation between said mirror and said gradient index lens and such that, when said moveable partition is blocking radiation between said mirror and said gradient index lens. Radiation input into said gradient index lens by said transmitting optical fiber is reflected from an interface of said gradient index lens and air and is received by said at least one receiving optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A probe head as in claim 1, wherein said at least one transmitting optical fiber and said at least one receiving optical fibers are held in a ferrule which is connected to said gradient index lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
A probe head as in claim 11, wherein said aligning of said optical fibers and said gradient index lens is effected by introducing radiation through one of said optical fibers, moving said optical fibers and said gradient index lens relative to each other until maximum radiation intensity is detected in the other of said optical fibers and fixing the position of said optical fibers and said gradient index.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-09 | 1998-07-11 | 1999-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-09 | 2002-07-11 | 2003-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-09 | 2006-07-11 | 2007-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |