US6687010B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapid depth scanning optical imaging device
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 2000-09-07
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Granted: 2004-02-03
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Expires: 2020-09-07
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Akihiro Horii
- 👤 Mamoru Kaneko
- 👤 Tadashi Hirata
- 👤 Hitoshi Mizuno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B9/00; G01B9/02; G01B9/02001; G01B9/02007; G01B9/02002; G01B9/02003; G01B9/0201; G01B9/02049; G01B9/0205; G01B9/0209; G01B9/02091; G01B2290/00; G01B2290/20; G01B2290/35; G01B2290/40; G01B2290/65; G01B2290/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical probe apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said convergence block is realized with a spherical lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical probe apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said convergence block is realized with a gradient index device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical probe apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said reflecting surface is a curved surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical probe apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said single-mode optical fiber is covered with a fiber jacket, and said fiber jacket is processed in order to reduce abrasion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical probe apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said single-mode optical fiber is covered with a fiber jacket, and said fiber jacket is processed in order to improve the rigidity thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
212 words
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 convergence block, incorporated in the distal part of said insertion unit, for converging 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 singlemode 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 convergence 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 a core of said single-mode optical fiber has expanded section at an end thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
212 words
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 convergence block, incorporated in the distal part of said insertion unit, for converging 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 singlemode 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 convergence 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 a core of said single-mode optical fiber has expanded section at an end thereof.
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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) | 2007-02-02 | 2007-08-04 | 2008-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-02 | 2011-08-04 | 2012-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-02 | 2015-08-04 | 2016-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |