Integrated angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscopes
US6522444B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S359/90
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a novel class of integrated angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscopes. An integrated angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope according to the present invention advantageously exploits an angled-dual-axis confocal arrangement in a silicon micro-machined and fiber-coupled construction, rendering it enhanced resolution, faster scanning, higher sensitivity, highly integrated and scalable structure. An integrated angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope thus constructed can be readily miniaturized for many applications, such as in vivo imaging of biological specimens. One or two illumination beams may be employed in an angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope of the present invention, thereby providing an assortment of reflectance and fluorescence images. An angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscope of the present invention is further capable of providing various line and cross-sectional-surface scans with fast speed and high precision. As such, the angled-dual-axis confocal scanning endoscopes of the present invention provide advantages of high-speed and versatile scanning, larger dynamic range of detection, larger field of view and lo…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.