Endoscope system, scanning optical system and polygon mirror
US6788861B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 7, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B23/2484
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscope system which can obtain a tomographic image in accordance with optical coherence tomography (OCT). An OCT section of the endoscope system comprises a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, an optical coupler, a super-luminescent diode (SLD), a photodetector, and a reference mirror. The first optical fiber is opposed to the SLD at its proximal end. The second optical fiber is opposed to the photodetector at its proximal end. The optical coupler establishes optical connection between the optical fibers. The reference mirror is arranged movable in front of the distal end of the second optical fiber. The distal end of the first optical fiber is introduced to an OCT scanning unit at a tip of an endoscope. This OCT scanning unit includes a polygon mirror having a plurality of reflecting surfaces, which are tilted in different angles from each other. The OCT scanning unit forms a plurality of scanning lines aligned in parallel over a subject at regular intervals. Here, the OCT scanning unit irradiates the subject with light emitted from the distal end of the first optical fiber, and introduces the light reflected by the object to the first optical fiber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.