Patent · US Expired

Examination instrument for optical-response diagnostic apparatus

US5140989A · kind A · utility

155Cited by
118References
56Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 10, 1986
Grant dateAug 25, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 10, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/4312
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An examination instrument for optical apparatus, including a pair of optical heads mounted for relative movement toward and away from one another upon an elongated support, and having means (e.g., an electrical transducer) for producing an electrical signal which is specifically representative of the distance between the optical heads at various positions of relative movement therebetween, for use in analyzing test data obtained by the optical heads. The instrument also includes a test sequence actuation switch disposed in a position where the operator may readily initiate a test sequence without changing his grip upon the instrument as it is held in place on the test subject. The optical heads are mounted on stand-off members which position the heads in spaced relation alongside the elongated support and at an angle relative to one another, to facilitate use on the human breast. The optical heads include internal light-guides for emitting and/or receiving light, and such light-guides are preferably matched optically to electro-optical detectors carried by the optical heads, for optimum performance.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.