Fiber-optic confocal imaging apparatus and methods of use

US6370422B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US

Inventors

• Rebecca Richards-Kortum · Austin, US
• Colin Smithpeter · Albuquerque, US
• Brett Bowman · Minneapolis, US
• Michael R. Descour · Tucson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 19, 1999
• Grant date: Apr 9, 2002
• Expiry date: Mar 19, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B23/26
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for fiber optic confocal imaging systems. A plurality of fibers are in communication with a scan system that controllably deflects incident radiation into the fibers in a raster pattern. An index matching agent reduces specular reflections from the fibers.