Light scanning probe apparatus using light of low coherence
US6888119B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 3, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B23/2407
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A flexible shaft driven to rotate is inserted through a transparent sheath having pliability. By a fiber inserted through the inside thereof, low-coherence light is guided and is made to exit to a living-body tissue side which is an observation target through a lens and a prism forming an exit and entrance portion at the tip portion. Subsequently, the light reflected on the living-body tissue side is guided in order to produce an image. In that case, a positioning member for keeping the exit and entrance portion and the living-body tissue at a proper distance is formed at the tip portion of the sheath or the tip portion of an endoscope through which an optical probe is inserted and, therefore, a stable tomogram image can be produced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.