Optical device for forming an image of an uneven surface
US5621516A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/1172
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical device for forming an image of an uneven surface, including a plane-parallel plate with a pair of parallel plane surfaces which is made of a transparent material having a refractive index larger than that of water and transparent to illuminating light. An uneven object (object having an uneven surface) is placed in close contact with one plane surface of the plane-parallel plate. A light source illuminates the uneven object through the plane-parallel plate. Among light rays scattered back into the plane-parallel plate by the uneven object and totally reflected at the other plane surface of the plane-parallel plate, only light that is totally reflected at an angle larger than the critical angle at the boundary between the plane-parallel plate and water is taken in by an image-forming device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.