Imaging system with confocally self-detecting laser

US5563710A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Robert H. Webb · Lincoln, US
• Fran J. Rogomentich · Concord, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 28, 1994
• Grant date: Oct 8, 1996
• Expiry date: Oct 28, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S7/4916
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to a confocal laser imaging system and method. The system includes a laser source, a beam splitter, focusing elements, and a photosensitive detector. The laser source projects a laser beam along a first optical path at an object to be imaged, and modulates the intensity of the projected laser beam in response to light reflected from the object. A beam splitter directs a portion of the projected laser beam onto a photodetector. The photodetector monitors the intensity of laser output. The laser source can be an electrically scannable array, with a lens or objective assembly for focusing light generated by the array onto the object of interest. As the array is energized, its laser beams scan over the object, and light reflected at each point is returned by the lens to the element of the array from which it originated. A single photosensitive detector element can generate an intensity-representative signal for all lasers of the array. The intensity-representative signal from the photosensitive detector can be processed to provide an image of the object of interest.