Miniature image acquistion system using a scanning resonant waveguide
US6294775A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 25, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B3/12
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A minimally invasive, medical, image acquisition having a flexible optical fiber serving as an illuminating wave guide. In one resonance mode, the distal end of the fiber is a stationary node. The fiber includes a lens at the distal tip which collimates emitted light. A scan lens is positioned off the end of the fiber. The relative magnifications of the lenses and the relative positions determines the pixel resolution. In particular, the illumination fiber outputs a light beam or pulse which illuminates a precise spot size. A photon detector detects reflected photons from the object, including the spot. Pixel resolution is determined by the area of the illumination spot (and thus the lens configuration), rather than an area sensed by the detector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.